Groupies

[torogmc81]

We have our fall and spring calvers all together in same pasture. We know of at least a few that are open that missed on AI and just put clean up bull in a week ago.

I noticed this with a certain cow last year before (that isn't in our herd anymore), but has anyone ever took notice to open cows not always as "tight knit" with the herd as the bred cows? Seems like the opens are on their own more, unlike the main group, who this time seems to be all the confirmed bred cows, like I noticed at times last year.

Anyone ever "herd" or seen of this kind of activity?

 

[Nesikep]

I've definitely noticed that the ones that didn't have a calf when they're supposed to are somewhat shunned by the herd, and that "new" cows to a herd may never really be integral to it

 

[Muddy]

I never noticed it since the open cows are with the herd all times but I did had shorthorn cows that never hanging out with the herd even if they have the calves with.

 

[TCRanch]

Our opens tend to hang with the fall calvers and they're also the lead cows. The cows that calved later in the Spring bring up the rear. The head cow is typically in the middle of the herd. There are a lot of studies on the social hierarchy of herds, including management, grazing, parturition & culling.

 

[Stocker Steve]

There are always groupings. Some I have noticed are:

mother/daughter(s)
color (less) white cows
(calf) play groups
new cows

 

[BFE]

I never noticed it since the open cows are with the herd all times but I did had shorthorn cows that never hanging out with the herd even if they have the calves with.

I have had the same experience with Shorties, even after years of running together.

 

[Nesikep]

Mother and daughters (x4) + son + granddaughters


Mother and 2 daughters (she was just getting licked)


Mother and son


Mother and daughter... this pair is *always* together





And another mother-daughter pair


They certainly know who to go to for some attention...
I'm curious to see how my bull that's been away for 4 years will be when he comes back

 

[TCRanch]

Nesi, we have mother/daughter and quite often generations that hang together. Noticed something interesting over the past couple weeks: have an orphaned calf whose mama was hit by lightning. She's doing great, comes running up to me for cubes and I noticed she's been robbing off other cows. When I really paid attention it's almost always her grandma & one of her aunts. Do they know? Things that make you go Hmmmmm :?: