Is my bull okay?

[juliaann]

I have a 9 year old bull that has distanced himself from the herd. He is laying down more frequently and occasionally goes down on his side. I was just wondering if it was normal senior bull behavior?

 

[3waycross]

I have a 9 year old bull that has distanced himself from the herd. He is laying down more frequently and occasionally goes down on his side. I was just wondering if it was normal senior bull behavior?

Not to be a smarta$$ but it sounds like, about to be deceased bull behaviour. Nine is really pushing it for a bull. As high as kill bulls are why not ship him and buy a yearling or 2yr old.

BTW they are selling for around $1.10 to !.20 for kill bulls right now.

 

[branguscowgirl]

All my cattle are doing a lot of laying around in the sun. Their bellies are full of spring grass and there ain't much else for them to do! So as 3way says above........... or just a tired bull? We sure can't determine if he is sick or not by the information.

 

[Alan]

I have a 9 year old bull that has distanced himself from the herd. He is laying down more frequently and occasionally goes down on his side. I was just wondering if it was normal senior bull behavior?

So much depends on where you are, climate, temp. Really need more info.

 

[juliaann]

We are in Eagle Point, Oregon. We've had high 60's weather this week. He doesn't come in with the rest of the herd when it's feeding time. And there is another bull in the herd that is younger and was wondering if the older was run off?

 

[branguscowgirl]

If he is not coming to eat, something is wrong with him. How old is the young bull? He may have got his butt kicked and be done.

 

[cow pollinater]

What does your native feed look like? If he's done chasing cows and is getting plenty to eat, why would he come to hay?
That's how I tell when it's time to pull the bulls, the cows are up working and the bulls are laying off by themselves. It is not at all uncommon for the young bulls to be out pushing for feed with the cows as they're still trying to grow so their nutritional needs are similar to the cows needs.

 

[branguscowgirl]

What does your native feed look like? If he's done chasing cows and is getting plenty to eat, why would he come to hay?
That's how I tell when it's time to pull the bulls, the cows are up working and the bulls are laying off by themselves. It is not at all uncommon for the young bulls to be out pushing for feed with the cows as they're still trying to grow so their nutritional needs are similar to the cows needs.

I like this answer CP. :nod: Bulls go longer than 9 years don't they?

 

[3waycross]

What does your native feed look like? If he's done chasing cows and is getting plenty to eat, why would he come to hay?
That's how I tell when it's time to pull the bulls, the cows are up working and the bulls are laying off by themselves. It is not at all uncommon for the young bulls to be out pushing for feed with the cows as they're still trying to grow so their nutritional needs are similar to the cows needs.

I like this answer CP. :nod: Bulls go longer than 9 years don't they?

What percentage would you say go over 9 years............5% would be my guess.

The vast majority are gone by 5 years. Especially with slaughter bull prices as strong as they are

 

[AllForage]

Properly bred bulls should breed into their teens

If their career is ended early I hope it was the owners decision only and most likely the freaky addiction of bull shopping that some can't get enough of

 

[branguscowgirl]

Properly bred bulls should breed into their teens

If their career is ended early I hope it was the owners decision only and most likely the freaky addiction of bull shopping that some can't get enough of

I hope so too. I have cows still producing at 13 years old. Can't believe a bull would be unsound and used up in half that time. I know if they try to grow them out too fast, putting the feed to them, they are going to cause them to have a whole lot of joint problems in their future. Maybe that's part of it.

 

[3waycross]

Woulda, shoulda, coulda..................truth up folks how many of you are using a 9 year old bull or have seen one in the last year.

 

[branguscowgirl]

Woulda, shoulda, coulda..................truth up folks how many of you are using a 9 year old bull or have seen one in the last year.

I sell all my bulls at 2 and AI my cattle. If I use a bull for clean up, I borrow from a friend. So I would have to say, I have not "seen one in the last year." But it does not mean that I would not have one if given the opportunity......