Hello!
We recently got three heifer TX Longhorns, a yearling and two 7 month old calves. The 2 calves have been with each other since birth and get along great. The yearling, while from the same heard hasn't been with these calves but has been socialized w/ the rest of the heard.
I've noticed that the yearling has been isolating and 'herding' the smaller calf away from the other one. She will push her and chase her off from food, water and herd her away from different places in the pasture in, what appears to be, an effort to keep the smallest away from the other calf.
Is this normal "boss" cow behavior in the establishment of the social hierarchy, or is the yearling just mean? This behavior has been going on for a few weeks now.
Note that all of them are very social and nice with us in handling them - sans the yearling not wanting either of them around if its treat time.
Thoughts?
We recently got three heifer TX Longhorns, a yearling and two 7 month old calves. The 2 calves have been with each other since birth and get along great. The yearling, while from the same heard hasn't been with these calves but has been socialized w/ the rest of the heard.
I've noticed that the yearling has been isolating and 'herding' the smaller calf away from the other one. She will push her and chase her off from food, water and herd her away from different places in the pasture in, what appears to be, an effort to keep the smallest away from the other calf.
Is this normal "boss" cow behavior in the establishment of the social hierarchy, or is the yearling just mean? This behavior has been going on for a few weeks now.
Note that all of them are very social and nice with us in handling them - sans the yearling not wanting either of them around if its treat time.
Thoughts?