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Bulls can be highly dangerous animals, but it's necessary to handle them if you intend to breed your cattle naturally. Unlike the popular opinion, bulls are not by any means slow or dim-witted, and care must always be taken whenever handling them.
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QuestionI just bought a 10 month bull calf who ran through my hot wire and is now penned at my neighbor's place. I'm going over several times per day to get him used to me, but to no avail as of yet. He's still bellowing at me, pawing the ground etc. The pen is 10' x 20'. If he was in a bigger area, would it help to calm him down?Community AnswerYes, it would, preferably an area that has a much sturdier fence than a single or double strand of hot wire. First thing you didn't do right was train him on the hot-wire. Second was putting him in a place that wasn't going to hold him to allow him to settle in. Start by studying his flight or pressure zone when he starts reacting to your presence. In a 10' x 20' pen he can't get away from you, and he's acting in a way that is defensive to him towards you, the threat. Start by working with him from outside the pen, or the bigger corral, training him with pressure and release. Look up handling cattle by Bud Williams to get started on proper handling of cattle, which does not exclude bulls.
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QuestionMy grandma's bull tears down the fence when the heifers go into heat. What can we do with the big bull?KarinTop AnswererGet rid of him. If those are his daughters he's trying to get at to breed, he needs to go. Get a neighbor to help load him and ship him to the sale barn if need be. It's no use keeping a bull around that won't respect fences or is proving too costly to keep.
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QuestionI work on a farm, and I have to handle two very aggressive bulls. What can I do to make them more used to me?KarinTop AnswererFirst, consider whether there's anything you may be doing wrong, unconsciously, that is instigating their aggression. They could be in a pen that is much smaller than their flight zone, and you are invading that flight zone when you walk into their pen. They may be dairy bulls that are going to be aggressive no matter what you do. You could try to spend more time with them: read to them; sit nearby, just outside their pen, and talk to them. It will take time and patience to get them to realize you aren't a threat.
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Tips
- Discipline is necessary. If a bull exhibits bad behavior, immediately correct him strongly. Bulls are relatively intelligent animals, and will learn if your message is strong enough.Thanks
- Handle young bulls frequently; training for good behavior, acceptance of halter, etc. should be performed before the bull reaches sexual maturity.Thanks
- Another option is to use artificial insemination (AI) instead of a bull; this is highly recommended for beginners.Thanks
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Warnings
- Disciplining a bull is only recommended for those experienced with bulls. If you are a novice, it is highly recommended that you use AI instead, or pay a bull owner to breed your cattle.Thanks
- Bulls are highly dangerous animals, and always remember this when handling them.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://animals.mom.me/why-do-bulls-have-rings-in-their-noses-3121925.html
- ↑ https://worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/agriculture/working-with-animals/working-with-cattle/safe-cattle-handling-guide/
- ↑ http://www.publish.csiro.au/ebook/chapter/9781486301614_Chapter4
- ↑ https://nature.berkeley.edu/ucce50/ag-labor/7article/article29.htm
- ↑ https://www.agriculture.com/livestock/cattle/6-ways-to-stay-safe-while-handling-cattle
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