Getting a bull questions...

[MikeParks]

We are about to get a bull (jersey we hope) to service our cow and heifer.
Our plan so far is to keep it long enough to make sure they are breed then either resell or butcher (though I have voiced the opinion of keeping it so we won't have to go through this all again in 12 months).
The stock person we got our cow from says he can get us one for $350-$400.

We have never kept a bull before (though we have had a small one around for a couple of weeks before). We are a very small family farm and the bull will share a pretty much open "barn" with the cows (our setup allows the cows to come and go in to the "barn" as they want. We usually bring the cows in for the feeding and latch them to their areas and then take the cow to be milked to the other side of the barn for "milking" (by hand).)

I did have some questions I wanted to ask before we jump into it.

1) Do they eat more than a cow (in hay (think winter feeding for this) since, if I am not mistaken, they don't require grain. Though we would probably provide a very small amount to it)?

2) I know bulls can be hard to control when they are around cows, especially ones in heat, but would it cause problems with milking time?

3) Will an average bull respect a fence that cows do? (right now we are using a 15 mile Zareba 66C charger on polly tape fencing. The cows respect it, even when it is off.)

Thanks in advance
Mike

[TSYORK]

Jersey's on record are the most dangerous bull, so you better be extremely careful or you will end up on the hospital, or worse, the funeral home. I definitely would have a place separated for milking or the situation could turn bad quickly. The bull will view the ladys as his, so if you come between he and his girl he will go on the defensive. I don't trust any kind of bull for a second, never turn your back to them, but I would be extremely cautious of the Jersey. For some reason the milk breed bulls seem to be nastier. I know there are exceptions to every rule, but for the most part they are dangerous. Personally, I would let him service the cows you want serviced then eat him or sell him. This will give you enough time to plan your strategy for next year's conception. Think about having the cows AI'd with Jersey. There is probably a tech in your area, and it would probably be much cheaper than wintering another mouth.

[MikeParks]

Actually there are no AI people out here. The local vets don't do it.
I personally had wanted to go for a shorthorn bull. I've heard a lot of people say they are usually a much calmer animal.

Thanks
Mike

[Dirtslinger]

It sounds like jersey bulls are generally bottle fed which is the reason for their dangerous demeanor.
Have you considered trying a cow-raised dexter bull? Smaller, meaning less feed in winter, said to be great for calving too. I haven't yet had a dexter bull, but it seems many dexter keepers do run the bull with their cows so worth doing some research on it.