New Bull To Herd

[GaryDG]

We bought a yearling bull for delivery later this month. We have a separate, heavy panel, temporary 1/6 acre area for him when he arrives for him to acclimate. We'll feed, water and try to bond (see Alan's post below).

We plan to keep him in this corral for about two weeks then release him into the herd.

A few questions:

1) is this two week acclaimation process appropriate?

2) how long should the bull remain in the herd? Until no evidence of heat appears?

3) once the bull has completed his assignments he should be moved to a separate location, correct? How much space should be provided for the animal?

4) once bull-calves are weaned at 7-8 months, can they be moved into the pen/pasture with the bull or should they be placed in a separate pasture?

5) any good diagrams of pasture / pen layouts available?

Thanks all!

after

 

[cricket]

the bull should stay in the herd for no more than 60 days.

 

[randiliana]

the bull should stay in the herd for no more than 60 days.

I agree, then you cull anything that comes up dry. Pen him by himself, or with a steer or cull cow for companionship. I wouldn't be concerned putting your bull calves in with him (unless he is a miserable sort). And as a yearling, he could probably use a bit extra feed too.

As for how long to keep him by himself before you put him with the cows, that all depends on when you want to start calving next year. Although, you should at least wait until the cows are approx 30-45 days past calving (gives the cows a chance to clean themselves up before breeding) our cows get 60-90 days. We have turned bulls out directly on pasture with their cows right when they were delivered, and some are penned for 2-3 months before they see the girls. Depends on your calving season, and when you buy the bull. I can't help you with pen size. We run 6-8 bulls together in the off season, and the more room the better. They can get away from each other if someone is in a snotty mood.

 

[denoginnizer]

the bull should stay in the herd for no more than 60 days.

60 days may or may not work for you. It depends on many variables. A friend of mine switched to a 60 day breeding period and came up with half his herd open.

 

[denoginnizer]

Also, I think a month in a quartine pasture type area might be a wise idea. This way you should decrease your chances for introducing some nasty disease to your herd.

 

[Alan]

Gary,

How many cows do you have, I agree 60 days may be a little short. Up to last year I kept my bull in for 90, but he has always got everyone covered in 60. I had him on up to 9 cows, this year he'll cover 14 for 90 days and be gone.

Refresh my memory please, I don't remember saying anything bonding with a bull. When I bought my bull he was a yearling also, but I never really tried to bond with him, I just made sure he respected me and knew the rules. He needs to walk away when I walk in his direction. As a 4 yr old he is now shown the first signs of aggression, although now he seem to be back to he normal self. But I would say never try to bond with a bull.

Alan

 

[donnaIL]

My concern would be -- if you can keep him in that confined area.(if the cows are in heat).make sure it is hot. I have not had a problem with bulls and calves, steers or young heifers...it is almost positive for him to have a companion (after the cows are bred), the only problem is feed.

since we are feeding young steers and our bull is a yearling he is not overfat as the feed helps him grow. we are feeding a small amout about 6-10lbs per head for the boys. Another post on "overfeeding bulls is around here" but he is a growing boy, so you have to decide what is appropriate.

donna

 

[GaryDG]

Thanks all, for your comments.

We have 7 cows and 4 heifers (14mos), all will be ready within two week's of the bull's arrival. One we will need to pasture separately, with her calf, for a month after arrival, since she calved two weeks ago.

On the feed strategy, since we have introduced pasture rotation and have reseeded 30% of our pasture, we have stockpiled round bales, higher quality square bales, a some alfalfa. We believe, this stored hay strategy will carry us through to the point where existing pastures reflect spring and the reseeded pastures are sufficiently established. The bull, after doing his job, along with a "buddy" as suggested, will get one area, while everyone else get's the rotated pasture, and feed. If the bull calves, once weaned go with the bull, then they may be rotated for a month or two, but then they all will be on overwinter foodstock.

So, what I was thinking about keeping the bull in a more confined location is not practical or appropriate. The pasture and companion suggestion is a bit more demanding management issue that we can address.

 

[GaryDG]

The "bonding" comment was more along the lines that the bull needed to recognize the new home and his new human companions albeit through a fence, most times. We've found with our cows, steers, and heifers that periodically feeding them "treats" (mollasis-based grain, alfalfa) in a large clearly recognizable container causes them to come running when we need them to return to a spot, like a corral or worse back through a fence to home.

All my wife needs to do is yell out "boys and girls", and the cattle will pick up their heads, look around, then race to the "treat" zone.

Perhaps a bull will be different - that's what I am trying to figure out.

As always, your comments are appreciated.


periodically

 

[TheBullLady]

Well ya'll do it differently than I do.. I've never penned up a new bull. What I do is call up the cows, pen the cows, unload the bull into the pen, and let 'em all out. The new bull won't go anywhere but with the cows. Then in a day or two I call the cows up to the pens to feed, and low and behold, the bull comes with them.

 

[S.R.R.]

Well ya'll do it differently than I do.. I've never penned up a new bull. What I do is call up the cows, pen the cows, unload the bull into the pen, and let 'em all out. The new bull won't go anywhere but with the cows. Then in a day or two I call the cows up to the pens to feed, and low and behold, the bull comes with them.

Same here, and it works just fine.

 

[Dave]

I leave the bulls out with the cows almost all year. If the cows are all bred he isn't hurting anything being out with them and he will be a lot easier to handle. I put the bulls in with the cows about April 20 for February calves. The bulls stay with the cows until about three weeks after the first calf is born when I confine them until April 20. Rather than culling open cows that didn't get bred I cull bred cows or pairs that calved after my cut off date. This way I only have to keep the bulls seperate for a little over a month and a half. Less hassle for me and happier bulls.
And I also do as TheBullLady. The only exception to this is if I for some reason were to get a bull between now and April 20.
Dave

 

[Susie David]

Always bond with the bull...he quickly learns respect for the bond of the hickory stick on the nose, of course we only keep them until the second season.
When you turn out the bull depends on when you want claving.
I like to calve in March so the bull gets turned out in late May, early June and stays in for 60 days.
Let the girls know there is a bull on the place and they will start normal cycling usually 45 days after claving. IMO alot depends on the nature of the bull, I've let them run with the cows all summer with no trouble...no cycling cows then they doesn't care, if he's a hearder and keeps rounding the cows up then he gets moved to batchelor quarters.
Never trust a cow....especially a bull
DMc

 

[dj]

I'd hold him with them at least 90 days. Because he is a yearling. Just suppose as a yearling he might over extend himself on some and miss others. The second year he will be more sexually developed and experienced and will tighten up the calving time. jmo.