She hates me.

Ark · #1 09/08/07, 06:43 AM

My hubby is ROTFLOL.

He thinks it's the funniest thing!

He said "Finally! An animal that doesnt like you." She likes him.

Lily (Jersey/Guernsey) only tolerates me because I feed her. BUT, it's her way or the highway. I can forget about milking, feeding, and anything else if I dont do it her way.

That means, NO touching the halter until her head is in the feeder. Then, quickly attach the clip to the halter before she decides to swing her head at me. After that, milking goes fine except for the tail in the face on a regular basis. Grrrr.

So, my 11 yr old dd has to carry a stick, OR keep her eyes peeled and be ready to run fast.

My son got pushed around some the other day, and my dh does too a little, but not near as much. He pets her and she likes that. If I try to pet her, I better not be standing where she can push me with her head.

This cow was NOT mean at the previous owners house. She was gentle and nice. Of course, they never tied her up to milk her..... and she hates that.

She is BOSS and she knows it. What can I do? I seriously dont like having to jump out of her way when I see her coming! She will knock you down if she gets the chance. The one time she got me good, if the barn wall hadnt been right there, I would have gone down. I got mad at her, and turned around and hit her with a feed pan. She then tried to get me again. I got out of the way in time that time because I was ready for it. Ever since then she has hated me.

**fordson major** · #2 09/08/07, 07:41 AM

i would have her hit the high way, especially if she was making menacing movement towards anyone. spoiled cows can be as much a menace, if not more, than a wild cow, at least these tend to steer clear of people.having been hurt myself by a ram that we knew was a danger, now advise that a bad temper be a top culling point as well. i used too milk (with machine) and we had 12 ayshires that with me were fine, (well one would on occasion hoof at me!) but anyone else they would wipe the milker off as quick as you put it on!! hard to tie as well!!the other 80 Holsteins anyone could milk ! got old not having anyone else who could milk them. fighting them just makes them worse!

ArmyDoc · #3 09/08/07, 07:47 AM

I'm pretty new to this, but I think you need to sell that cow, or eat her.

Cattle are herd animals, and they have a definite pecking order in the herd. If she doesn't respect you as being higher in the pecking order, you have a real problem. She out weighs you 10 to 1. You can't very well force her to re-evaluate.

Maybe some of the more experienced folks will have ideas on how to turn this arround. But what you are describing sounds dangerous. A cow should always give way to you, not the other way around. If she getts in the habbit of bullying you, she could hurt you very badly.

susieM · #4 09/08/07, 08:02 AM

Are you SURE she was a nice cow at the last place?

HazyDay · #5 09/08/07, 08:09 AM

Hahahaha I would use force!!! Go get a stick and give her a good hit in the head when she is running at you! I know it's not right. But it worked for my uncle and aunts dairy farm! All their cows are very gentle!

linn · #6 09/08/07, 08:52 AM

That's the trouble, she is the boss and knows it. If she has horns, take them off. Carry a good stick when you are around her and let her know that she is not going to get away with butting anyone around. If she swats you with her tail while milking, tie her tail to her back leg with a piece if twine. Just don't forget to untie her tail before turning her out. A homemade, wooden stanchion may be your best bet for this cow. When she sticks her head in the stanchion to get her grain, push the lever and lock her in. Sounds like she is used to being the boss cow. You will have to disabuse her of that notion. You don't have to be mean to her; just let her know that you are not going to tolerate any threatening behavior.

Ark · #7 09/09/07, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmyDoc

I'm pretty new to this, but I think you need to sell that cow, or eat her. I just bought her!
Cattle are herd animals, and they have a definite pecking order in the herd. We do have another cow - a 5 month old calf, not her baby. If she doesn't respect you as being higher in the pecking order, you have a real problem. We sure do! She out weighs you 10 to 1. You can't very well force her to re-evaluate.

Maybe some of the more experienced folks will have ideas on how to turn this arround. But what you are describing sounds dangerous. A cow should always give way to you, not the other way around. If she getts in the habbit of bullying you, she could hurt you very badly. I am worried about her hurting one of the kids.

I talked to the previous owner who cant BELIEVE this behaviour. I have known this lady quite a while and I do believe her that Lily was calm and sweet before. When I saw Lily at her house, she was not pushy or agressive at all!!!!

Anyway, the lady recommends that I tie her up, like you do a horse, for over an hour or even more every day. Teach her patience, and teach her to get used to the feel of something on her halter. It's worth a try.

ksfarmer · #8 09/09/07, 12:26 PM

Most injuries are caused by "tame" animals. They have no fear of you. You haven't said if this cow has any horns but that would make her even more dangerous. A local lady was almost killed by her "tame" milk cow. She had her stomach ripped open by a small horn. She survived after much hospitalization. Unless you can establish a measure of respect in this cow for all humans, you better get rid of her quickly. Even without horns a full sized cow can do a lot of damage, especially to kids.

Jcran · #9 09/09/07, 12:48 PM

Use a "rattle" stick as well; they are like cattle prods but just have rattley things in the head of them; spooks the animal away. IF that doesn't work, use an electric prod only when she is aggressive (I sure wouldn't use one to make her LIKE you) so she learns to respect your "power". I agree with the tie up and teach her patience. I would also give her something that she absolutely ADORES when she's tied up, so she associates YOU and TIED UP with delicious things. Good luck! Our new dexter is ok with me but loves my hubbie a lot more than me...he thinks its funny, too.

Ark · #10 09/09/07, 04:58 PM

oops - double post!

Ark · #11 09/09/07, 05:46 PM

no horns, thank goodness!!!!!

And thank you all for the help!

Ark · #12 09/11/07, 02:46 PM

Here's what Lily thinks about being tied up!!

She hates me. - Cattle

Gin64 · #13 09/11/07, 05:11 PM

This is something you are not going to like to hear but the only way to break her from running over you is with an axe handle. It is mean but it is better than getting hurt or worst getting killed.
The big problem is you are letting her get away with unapproperate actions. And until you teach her other wise she will probably keep doing it. She is testing her ground with you.
Take this how ever you want. But I would watch her close around the kids. They are smaller and fair game in a cows eyes.

Ark · #14 09/11/07, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gin64

This is something you are not going to like to hear but the only way to break her from running over you is with an axe handle. It is mean but it is better than getting hurt or worst getting killed.
The big problem is you are letting her get away with unapproperate actions. And until you teach her other wise she will probably keep doing it. She is testing her ground with you.
Take this how ever you want. But I would watch her close around the kids. They are smaller and fair game in a cows eyes.

I take your warning very seriously, and I do watch her closely around my kids. My son is 14 and taller than me so he can look out for himself fairly well, altho I warn him constantly to be careful and NOT to do anything to provoke Lily. My 11 yo dd KNOWS to stay far away from Lily and always be on the lookout.
I certainly dont WANT to let her get away with bad behaviour, but it's kinda hard to stop a cow. That's why I came here for help! And of course I dont want to hurt her, but I know she needs to learn some respect, and I really dont want her to hurt one of us! The only thing she respects is our horse.

Tyeing her up seems to be going pretty well. She is settling down faster each time and looks forward to me coming to see her with food.

Ark · #15 09/11/07, 07:08 PM

Settles down quickly and stands quietly...

Oxankle · #16 09/12/07, 08:26 PM

There is a mean look in that cow's eye. I would not trust her any farther than I could throw her.

I vote with gin64, only I would prefer a mattock handle. No cow is worth risking a child's safety. If she does not submit, not gentle, I mean submit, do what you want and no backtalk, real soon, consider sending her thru the ring.

There are far too many gentle cows on this planet to put up with one dangerous boss cow.

Brisket · #17 10/02/07, 06:51 PM

I raised my first bull this last year and would use a 3 foot long 2 inch dow its light but works well.

Teacupliz · #18 10/02/07, 09:21 PM

I am new to cows a couple years. Our first cow we raised as a pet- had to sell her and she was awesome show cow.. But she had not respect for ay of us- I lvoe cows and have learned that I like the shy timid cows. they know their place and stay in it.
I carry a stick and let the cows know who is the boss.. ME
We now live in peace with out herd. I do miss Tasha and wish we would of know better when we raised her.
Try wacking that cow in the nose a few times- like if she give you trouble tying her. Hey this is from a lady who never smacked her children but cows a big and need to be set straight- if it does not work then get a different cow- The 13 cows I have now are wonderful and such a pleasure- I love them as much as our goats.
She does have a evil eye-- Liz in NY

Ark · #19 10/03/07, 05:12 AM

You know, I do believe yall are right about that mean look in her eye, and it's not just the photos.

We havent had any more "incidents". I have been writing on the calendar when she is at her most pushy and LOUD, and have found it's about every 21 days and it lasts a couple days.

Last week when she got loud and pushy, I had hurt my back badly (nothing to do with her) so hubby was being my shield. I didnt have the ability to quickly side step her, so he would get in between Lily and I whenever it looked necessary.

We found that when he did that, she would rub her head on him like the goats do, but harder of course. I really cant tell what she is thinking. I suspect it's a dominance thing but she doesnt try to hurt him.

Then yesterday I let the goats out of the back pasture and one of the little ones was hurt. He couldnt put ANY weight on one of his back legs and I saw blood on his hoof. So, I laid him over on his side, and was bent over him trying to see the cause of the problem. All the other goats were gathered around me, but suddenly they started to scatter, and the hurt goat panicked and tried to get up. I looked up to see the cause of the panic and heard thunder and saw Lily galloping straight at me. All I could do was let the goat go, and stand up before she was on me. She stopped a hair away and just looked at me.

I was mad at her for making me get up so fast when my back hurts, but there was no harm done. She just walked away.

Really, if she had wanted to she could have splattered me.

Dont worry, I still dont trust her!! LOL

Gin64 · #20 10/06/07, 07:02 AM

If she is getting pushy every 21 days . I would say that this is when her heat cycle is. And she would be really touchy around this time. If she is not breed I would get her breed. Just make sure you keep record when it is witchy week for her and stay away.