Herd size/number of bulls

[anewcomer]

Had a couple of different people mention recently that they didn't like to run cattle in large herds (3-400) because bull injuries due to fighting were greater. Is 3 bulls in 3 separate 100 cow herd's gonna be different than 10 bulls in a 300 cow herd? Thinking this is an old wives tale. Currently running 10 bulls in a 300 cow herd.

 

[Warren Allison]

Had a couple of different people mention recently that they didn't like to run cattle in large herds (3-400) because bull injuries due to fighting were greater. Is 3 bulls in 3 separate 100 cow herd's gonna be different than 10 bulls in a 300 cow herd? Thinking this is an old wives tale. Currently running 10 bulls in a 300 cow herd.

Until me and Scott lost our minds last year, and expanded our herd to 700, for years we had between 100 and 120 Corriente cows. We'd put in either 5 or 6 bulls about Easter, and get them out Memorial Day. We calved in February each year. Never had any bulls injure each other, but these bulls are all pastured together most of the year when not working, so that may have played a part.

Right now, because the man we are contracting the calves to wants a year round supply, we have only 6 bulls on those 700, which are in 3 different pastures. When buying up 600 more throughout the year last year, we bought cows from open to 9 mos pregnant, to some with 1- 6 month old calves on them, and these bulls stay in year round.
Back when we had good sense, we'd round them up in March to tag and band, then round them up again Labor Day to trailer wean them carrying them to the next sale day. Now it is banding and tagging this month's calves and weaning the 6 month olds, at the end of every month.

I bet you have a pretty tight calving period, with 10 bulls on 300 cows, don't you?

 

[SBMF 2015]

I've always been told 1 or 3 but not 2. Anything over 3 should be fine.

 

[Dave]

I would think it depends more on the pasture size. Bulls tend to stake out their own area when out on large pastures. Here where cows are run on thousands and tens of thousands of acres there is very often 500 or more cows with 25 or more bulls all out on the same pasture. My experience is bulls tend to fight more while being moved and thus pushed into each other.

 

[4hfarms]

I would have to say that we were told the tale also. "Cant have more than one bull." We are at top capacity with 20 and a few calves on the ground, few more coming soon. I have 3 bulls that I fed through the winter. I had to many bulls! Those that remember I had ground a few last year that didn't sell. At this time, I have 2 4yr old brothers that run about. Most docile horned animals ever been in a pasture together. No issues with competition on anything. The third was a hold over. Promised to someone that hasn't got around to pick up yet. No issues. All my animals are together all the time. They calf when they calf. Been spring for 5 years running. Funny how that works out.

 

[MACVSOG]

I would think it depends more on the pasture size. Bulls tend to stake out their own area when out on large pastures. Here where cows are run on thousands and tens of thousands of acres there is very often 500 or more cows with 25 or more bulls all out on the same pasture. My experience is bulls tend to fight more while being moved and thus pushed into each other.

just me, i don't like moving bulls for that reason. two or three bulls per location. when cows are confirmed 3-4 months bred i move them to a different place "maternity ward." about a month after birthing move again. does not always get done in a timely manner, lots of moooving but i just feel better and safer moving cows not bulls.

 

[RNW]

have 40 mamma cows, 2 bulls, older bull does most breeding now, working good for me...

 

[cowman82]

if they are used to each other before turn out that helps a lot. if not, be prepared for fighting.

I have 7 bulls and they all get along pretty good, but they are socialized and penned together usually.