dominance question

[WisRose]

Seperated my heifer two weeks ago so she could calve in the barn. Our lot is small and I have a cow that is mean to others calves so I have left them in a large pen of their own till the little guy was strong enough. I let the cow/calf back in with the other three cows today to see how they would treat jr.. Well, the lowest cow on the totem pole started fighting with the new mother and they wouldn't let up, I've never seen two fight so hard, so I seperated them again. This probably one of those "idiot" questions but, will they hurt one another while sorting out their position in the herd? With the snow melting here things are pretty slippery and I don't need a broken leg. Thanks all!

 

[fellersbarnoneranch]

I don't know whether your cows will hurt each other or not. But they are going to go through this at some point--inevitable. We sorted ours out till after they calved this year and have had "cow fights" every time new ones are introduced. Best thing I can offer is to make sure that they have plenty of room to "argue" and don't put them in till they calf is perky enough to get out of the way. It is interesting how the same dominant cows are the first to go after the newbies. They will get it sorted out if allowed the time to do it (generally speaking ours usually don't last more than 20 minutes for the most dominant newbies--much less time for the middle of the totem-pole cows and 1st calvers)

 

[Medic24]

All of my cows are gentle as new born kittens, and we have no such squabbles! If anything they are very protective of each other and especially any new borns. :cboy:

Seems like Fellers needs me to come out and train the cattle on that ranch.............I am sure we could work out some sort of payment schedule. ;-)

 

[dun]

A week ago we had one cow that everyone started beating the pudding out of. 4-5 at a time would gang up on her, she's been with them for several years and never anything like this before. We seperated her and she had twins late that night/early the next morning. Turned her back in with the others after a couple of days and they all started wacking on her again. Went on all day long. Just as soon as it started it stopped. They're all buddys again just like it never happened.
As long as you work with cows, you'll always see new stuff.

dun

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

This time of year (calving) - I'm always introducing new cattle with different groups (may only have been seperated for a few weeks). Anyway, some fights are wicked, other times nothing ever happens. My biggest concern is the calf. Think that's what happened to my little heifer that had her hoof partly torn off.

 

[Crowderfarms]

Jeanne, we see the same thing. Some fight, some don't, but when the "pecking order" is set staight, it's a done deal and they all calm down.Seems there are always a few aggresive trouble makers.

 

[certherfbeef]

I recentally had an old cow lose her boss cow status. She came up lame and was heavy with calf. We look her to the barn to treat her. She was out of the herd 3 days. She still doesn't get around too good (she is 11) and a 5 year old took over as boss cow while she was gone. Now she won't even eat with the herd.

 

[sidney411]

Ours do the same things. Funny thing is that when I introduce a new bull the cows seem to all accept him immediately, there is never any shoving. But put a new cow out there and there is war for a little bit. Also I haven't really noticed that we have a boss cow in either of our herds. There never seems to be the same one leading the pack.

 

[WisRose]

I knew cattle fought, but this was pretty rough but I see it's normal. The cow that hates others calves will "grow wheels" this fall after she weans her calf (if it's born alive). She is a little lame and it seems to be in her shoulders. She' 1/2 black angus (bando 111) and is a HUGE cow, and bad udder. If I culled like some of you do I will be down to one cow shortly :shock: . Thanks for the replies.

 

[Boll Weevil]

It is interesting how the same dominant cows are the first to go after the newbies.

Seems there are always a few aggresive trouble makers.

Not attempting to get anyones feathers ruffled or anything, but does anybody else see the similarities between these cows and members here? Kindof scarey :lol:

 

[sidney411]

My Mom always told me "You are what you eat"!!!

 

[Linda]

A few years ago one of my heifers calved her first calf. I left her in an isolation corral with her calf for a couple of days, then put her in a large corral with the rest of the cows. Two of the other cows started pushing her around right away and just kept at it. After about 10 minutes her mother, our oldest cow, stepped in and stopped the fighting in an instant. She's the boss cow. The new mother went over to a corner of the corral with her calf and just stood there with her head hanging. Her mother went over and started licking her face. I could swear that heifer was crying. Darndest thing I've ever seen.

 

[greenwillowherefords]

When I introduce a new bull, it seems there's always one heifer who wants to see if he's really as tough as he looks, and will go head to head with him until she figures out that he's heavier and stronger than she is. The bull seems mildly surprised and loath to butt a female.

 

[TheBullLady]

I think they will all fight with a few in the herd when they are reintroduced.. the "herd" theory and every cow has to have her rung on the ladder.

If we do a lot separating and re-introducing, it seems the cows get tired of fighting and don't bother each other. I've unloaded new cows and had the others just stand and look at them. "Oh look.. they've been shopping again".

 

[Farminlund]

I am always surprised how just a few days away from the herd can cause such a big ruckus when reintroduced (especially those high up in the pecking order).

When merging cows from different herds, I always wait until I am changing pastures - since they are territorial, new pasture for all makes for little or no fighting

 

[Beefy]

normally if we have a visitor get in the cows all chase it.but if we introduce a bull the cows all run away from him for a day or two. playing hard to get i suppose.

 

[WisRose]

Thanks for the replies. This board is really great, helps build my confidence and knowledge with cattle. I will try again tomorrow. I want to do some sorting. I have one pregnant cow left who happens to be the one who is mean to little ones. I will put her in a little lot by herself and let the others out together, and hopefully there will be no injuries.