How old does a bull need to be to tell that a cow is in heat. I have a 4 month old bull calf and I'm wanting to AI so I was wondering if he is old enough to chase the cows when they are in heat? So I can tell easier.
What Age of Bull
- Thread starter Hereford2
- Start date
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coachg
Well-known member
Probably, I have them that young hanging out with the herd bull tending a cow in heat . That being said I wouldn't just rely on a calf being my heat detector .
I'd buy some estrus heat detectors. A 4 month old bull calf is the equivalent of a 10 year old boy; a stiff breeze kick him into high gear and not a reliable indicator of a cow in heat.
Son of Butch
Well-known member
you're sexist --- yearling heifers are better heat detectors than 4 month old calves
Hereford2
Well-known member
Ok thank you all for the reply's. I have 2 milk cows, I tried a yearling heifer and she eats half of their grain. They're super slow eaters and I don't have time to wait for them to finish their grain so I put it outside after milking and the heifer shovels her mouth full, she's a pig... I was thinking a young calf wouldn't eat near what she does. But it doesn't sound like the bull calf will work for what I'm needing. How long do the heat detectors stay on/work for?
That, I don't know because I don't AI. May want to move your thread to the AI Board.
GoWyo
Well-known member
I use Estrotect stickers. They are good for one heat cycle.
