inyati13":31hr3q32 said:chuckie, I am trying to manage my risk of injury/death. I have about 20 cows, calves and bull right now. There is only one that I cannot put my hands on. By the time a calf is 3 months old, I can play with it anywhere. In fact, calves are the easiest because all they know is me being around them since they were born. When I purchase a bred heifer, they are shy for about 6 weeks. When I can get them to come to a pan of feed, I start handling them. I work up to being able to scratch around their tail which is one of their favorite spots. The three favorite spots are: 1. Around the tail and anus. 2. The lower part of the neck and jaw line. 3. The belly. They do not like to be touched on the shoulder although I can but you can see and feel them flex the subcutaneous dermal muscles to shake you off.
The danger of what I am doing is real. There is a benefit. I have no frustrations about handling my cattle. I have become very clever about tricking cows to do what I want.
Kingfisher":19axrlg4 said:You can lead a horse to water......I'm really not sure why you think your special but in Texas we got a saying " you keep messing with the Bull and your going to get the horn. I've read about 3 post today and one of em had you speaking poorly about females again. I sure hope the young ladies in 4h or FFA stay clear of your post. I'm with Mr Dun. Get some cows to mow your yard grass farmer....
inyati13":vtxcy420 said:Oh my, they are powerful creatures. I like strength, it attracts me to them. I have been pushed around a bit. They can move quickly too. The guy I got my angus bull from keeps about 12 herd bulls. When I was there breeding was over and he had them all together. We walked right out with them. He said his mother was walking with them when she was in her 90s. He told me the only scare he had was when a couple started pushing when he was right in the middle. Nothing like 2000 pounds of bull coming at you sideways. :lol2:TennesseeTuxedo":vtxcy420 said:Inyati,
Please exercise great caution with your gentle cows. Your are well aware of the power and strength they can put forth in an instant. Accidents do happen and the more time I spend with our cattle the more I have come to appreciate that fact.
Nite Hawk":d603uklm said:I definately like docile animals that can be scratched or doctored without a rodeo, however most cows out weigh me by alot more than a 1000 pounds so like Chippie said I want them to respect "my bubble zone" too, and not step all over me, and think of me as "boss" and not challenge my authority.
I worked on one dairy farm where the cows probably averaged 1500 pounds and I wasn't interested in getting squished by them, so carried a peice of PVC pipe, which sometimes made them move over.
They weren't mean, they just kind of blundered along and you had to get out of their way, when it should have been they get out of your way.
There was a very very small fellow who worked there, maybe about 4'9", and maybe 90 # at themost, but boy those cows respected him! Weren't afraid of him but moved out of the way when he waved or hollered. I asked him what his secret was and why those cows had a whole lot of respect for him. He kinda chuckled and and told me he carried a 4" nail in his pocket.
Now that will horrorify some people, but this fellow was so small he couldn't take any risks, and the cows knew he had "bite" and gave him about a 4'- 6' bubble and never knocked him around, whereas i had to watch out I didn't get knocked flat with my PVC pipe.
Those cows and [iwatched out for him and moved out of his way, not the other way around. They weren't afraid of him, but they were watching out of the corner of their eyes and treated him sort of like an electric fence--don't get too close-
I will scratch our critters, but i also will bopp them good and hard if they get too pushy.
Nothing wrong with being kind or scratching them, but they must
respect you, they are just too big to let them step all over you.
inyati13":1lzxbahs said:Good post and makes a good point. I should let people know that I am established in the herd as the boss. Not to the extent that they move away but when I want something they all know I am boss.
:lol2:TexasBred":g52omrlk said:inyati13":g52omrlk said:Good post and makes a good point. I should let people know that I am established in the herd as the boss. Not to the extent that they move away but when I want something they all know I am boss.
When one decides to challenge you just show him your badge. (BOSS)
Ouachita":30erf654 said:I guess I've been lucky with bulls. We have a black bull now that I swear has found a pot patch somewhere. Laid back, slow moving, whispers to the ladies..... when I'm out with them, he looks at me like "hey dude, got any Doritos" :lol: .
However, last winter, we had a really cold spell for about 4 days. Snow on the ground, temps down single digits at night, teens and 20's day, 40 mph winds. I was wearing every piece of clothing I had, carharts with the hood, and a scarf (like having on blinders), squinting my eyes because of wind and sleet, with a sack of cubes on my left shoulder. Next thing I know, I'm 4 feet in the air, upside down. To this day I have no idea which one it was. Cracked ribs and had a problem breathing for a few weeks. Lucky they didn't walk on me, cause that bag of cubes busted open around me. I think the whole incident spooked them, and they backed off. I changed my feeding method
inyati13":2u346lm9 said:Ouachita, that is unnerving to be blindsided like that. Your suggestion on the device is good. Work on a farm is all dangerous and I use a tractor, chainsaw, etc. My phone does have reception on the entire farm. Thanks for the excellent and thoughtful suggestions.
Ouachita":kbysxgdt said:inyati13":kbysxgdt said:Ouachita, that is unnerving to be blindsided like that. Your suggestion on the device is good. Work on a farm is all dangerous and I use a tractor, chainsaw, etc. My phone does have reception on the entire farm. Thanks for the excellent and thoughtful suggestions.
I do admire your passion for what appears to be a more intement relationship with your cattle, in contrast to some who just treat them as dollars. I find myself in the middle somewhere. I probably care more and have more interaction with my cattle the average person. I walk among them daily. Yes, they have names, and I do talk to them in a regular tone. More for me than them. Although I can walk up an touch or pet all but 2 of my momma's, I do not have an overwhelming urge to do so. I guess you could say the respect for our "bubbles" is mutual. I have never attempted to touch or pet the bull. He has a job and I have a job, both of which are taking care of the herd. (NO jokes here please :lol2: )
I do not consider myself nearly as experienced as others on this CT forum. I have learned a lot here, and will continue. I have also learned a lot on my own, most of which have been from a negative experience; what not to do again :tiphat: I do know it was not the bull that sent me flying. It was one of my docile momma's. She may still be on the place. Maybe not. I have sold some due to drought. I was very lucky they did not make a mud hole out of me. My ribcage still gives me fits on occasion. I expect it will the rest of my life.