Sexist Calves?

[FarmGirl10]

My brother and I have our bucket calves together and we take turns feeding. Sometimes i do both feedings a day or he does, or i do one and he does the other. One of the calves I'm almost certain is sexist, because he either won't drink for my brother or just take a couple drinks of it and then ignore it. I doubt this calf actually is sexist but he always drinks for me just fine. Is it possible for a calf to actually be sexist, because its not like he always feeds a certain time (which might explain it) but, who feeds when always gets changed.

 

[Ryan]

I believe it. I've had friends tell me of cattle that didnt like men or didnt like women. Any of one gender could be in the pasture and the animal would think nothing of it, but anyone of the other stepped in the pasture and the animal acted odd or upset or something. I think it has something to do with scent, but i dont know for sure.

 

[Running Arrow Bill]

I believe it. I've had friends tell me of cattle that didnt like men or didnt like women. Any of one gender could be in the pasture and the animal would think nothing of it, but anyone of the other stepped in the pasture and the animal acted odd or upset or something. I think it has something to do with scent, but i dont know for sure.

The same behavior also applies to horses... :)

 

[hillsdown]

Ryan I believe it also.I think it has do do with scent, hormones that people release and the tone/sound of a persons voice. I think in Farmgirls case the calf has been imprinted with feeding and her to be some type of bond. Although a somewhat pain in the butt I think that is very sweet and she should feel special that the calf only trusts her.

 

[DavisBeefmasters]

I believe it as well... calves feed just fine with me in the morning... the teenage son says I should set up a camera because it's a pen full of kicking machines...

...I reward the little calves daily for their assistance with keeping a teenager in line ;-)

 

[bigbull338]

cattle can be strange thats for sure.when we was milking we had a cow that didnt like our cousin.an if he was in the barn.she could smell him an she would not go into the barn until he was gone.an anytime he was there she wouldnt go in the barn.

 

[Keren]

:lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

I read the title of this thread as "Sexiest Calves" :shock:

 

[angie1]

:lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

I read the title of this thread as "Sexiest Calves" :shock:

SO DID I!! Would not have admitted it first though :lol:

 

[larryshoat]

Ive hired many boys and girls to feed calves and it seems that the girls are just better at getting calves to drink. More gentle and patient.

Larry

 

[FarmGirl10]

thanks everybody,

At first I thought i was crazy, but hey, i guess I'm not. I had noticed with some of my brothers steers too, cuz two of my brothers were trying to get them to go into the barn ( and off the pasure) bcuz we needed to park a semi next to the barn for we could get hay out of the top of the barn, and the steers were being pains in the a** for my brothers. BUt as soon as i stepped into the pasture to get them into the barn, they followed me to the barn like abunch of horses.

 

[msscamp]

Is it possible for a calf to actually be sexist, because its not like he always feeds a certain time (which might explain it) but, who feeds when always gets changed.

I do not believe that calves are sexist, but I do believe that they will prefer a particular handler/feeder - for whatever reason and, because of that, will be reluctant to approach an alternative handler for a bottle (or anything else, for that matter) - I've seen it happen too many times to not believe it.

 

[HEREFORD ROADHOG]

Is it possible for a calf to actually be sexist, because its not like he always feeds a certain time (which might explain it) but, who feeds when always gets changed.

I do not believe that calves are sexist, but I do believe that they will prefer a particular handler/feeder - for whatever reason and, because of that, will be reluctant to approach an alternative handler for a bottle (or anything else, for that matter) - I've seen it happen too many times to not believe it.

I agree i think it probably has more to do with how the calves or cattle are handled & spoken to. being calm, slow & easy works best.

or maybe farmgirl you're just alot better looking than your brother LOL!!! :lol:

 

[preston39]

We also have seen this phenominon. I am convinced it is hormonal.

One of our excellent 2200#+ bulls didn't like us guys when he was small and doesn't now. We just seem to agree to disagree...and we stay away from him.

Gina,our female helper can manage and lead him around like a puppy dog. :roll:

 

[msscamp]

We also have seen this phenominon. I am convinced it is hormonal.

One of our excellent 2200#+ bulls didn't like us guys when he was small and doesn't now. We just seem to agree to disagree...and we stay away from him.

Gina,our female helper can manage and lead him around like a puppy dog. :roll:

I think it has more to do with a handler's ability to read cattle, and with attitude and demeanor(sp?) than with 'hormones'. Cattle can detect when someone is threatening vs non-threatening, or aggressive vs non-aggressive - - and they will respond accordingly.

 

[Jogeephus]

We also have seen this phenominon. I am convinced it is hormonal.

One of our excellent 2200#+ bulls didn't like us guys when he was small and doesn't now. We just seem to agree to disagree...and we stay away from him.

Gina,our female helper can manage and lead him around like a puppy dog. :roll:

I had a brangus lead cow at once. She was a beauty and a fantastic mamma cow. Only problem, she loved me and my boys but HATED my wife and daughter. Neither had done anything whatsoever to her. I ended up carrying the cow to the salebarn. She was seven months bred and beautiful. Vet palpating her looked at me and asked "why on earth are you selling HER?" I think in her case, this was definitely a hormonal thing.

 

[dun]

I think cows sometimes take an instant6 dislike for some poeple just as we all have with other people. Don;t have to do anything to them there's just that feeling............

 

[Susie David]

I spend more time with our animals so they are more familiar with me and remaim calm, now Susie gets a different reaction, could be the sound of her voice or the manner in which she moves. The sons have no trouble nor does our daughter.
Guess that it is what they are familiar with, most do not like change and react by being on guard and nervious.
Last spring when I called Susie out to watch one of the cows give birth the hefiers circled the wagons and one of the gals pusher her out of the way, not hard but wouldn't let her get close to the cow that was down calving...I was OK to help out (no assist needed) but that heifer didn't want Susie to be in the pen.
Just my two bits worth....Dmc

 

[msscamp]

We also have seen this phenominon. I am convinced it is hormonal.

One of our excellent 2200#+ bulls didn't like us guys when he was small and doesn't now. We just seem to agree to disagree...and we stay away from him.

Gina,our female helper can manage and lead him around like a puppy dog. :roll:

I had a brangus lead cow at once. She was a beauty and a fantastic mamma cow. Only problem, she loved me and my boys but HATED my wife and daughter. Neither had done anything whatsoever to her. I ended up carrying the cow to the salebarn. She was seven months bred and beautiful. Vet palpating her looked at me and asked "why on earth are you selling HER?" I think in her case, this was definitely a hormonal thing.

How much time had your wife and daughter spent with her, and what was their presentation - for lack of a better word? While I believe in the crazy cow syndrome, I do not believe in the 'hormonal thing' - not for a second. It takes a certain kind of attitude/bearing/presentation to be able to handle cattle - especially with animals that have an excitable/timid disposition or temperament. Just like there are fear-biters in dogs, some cattle are more easily excitable. I honestly believe it is more a matter of the handler being able to recognize the signs of that disposition/temperament, and adjusting his/her methods of handing. Young animals are especially prone to the handlers methods, since most of them have shiite for brains. I'm not phrasing this well, and I'm not doing a good job finding the words I'm looking for - but maybe it will still come across.