calf acting "frisky"

[ugabulldog]

We have a pet 4 mo. old jersey steer (banded at 3 days) that was bottle fed (off bottle for awhile) and always handled, very friendly. Lately sometimes he acts "frisky" and nudges us with his head, pretty hard, runs around and bucks out. (he is disbudded) Just wondering if you think he is playing, or being aggressive. I understand he could do damage either way, esp. as he gets bigger. Trying to decide whether to keep or not. (Bought and raised solely as a pet) Please go easy on the "cows as pets" comments, if so, so be it, we will have learned from mistake and will move on. Thanks

[randiliana]

Well, cows really aren't pets, pretty much the same as horses really aren't pets. Having said that, you can have a backyard cow the same as a backyard horse. They simply need to learn to respect you and your space. Right now, your calf is probably mostly playing. But play time is also a learning experience, and you need to teach him that you are not there for him to play with. It is fine for him to bounce around and play, but it is not OK for him to butt you. Butting heads is something that calves do together out in the pasture. It is play, and it is also a way of establishing dominance. Don't be afraid to swat him, it might sting his nose for a few minutes, but it won't leave any lasting damage, and it will teach him that he is not allowed to do that. Don't push on his head, that is just encouraging him to push back. Depending on the calf you may not want to scratch him on the head, some of them take it as a challenge, and will start to push on you. I would just give him an open handed slap on the nose whenever he tries to butt you. If that doesn't work, then a crop (short whip) would get the point across. Do it now, and you will stop the behaviour before it gets really bad.

[Madsaw]

Originally Posted by ugabulldog

We have a pet 4 mo. old jersey steer (banded at 3 days) that was bottle fed (off bottle for awhile) and always handled, very friendly. Lately sometimes he acts "frisky" and nudges us with his head, pretty hard, runs around and bucks out. (he is disbudded) Just wondering if you think he is playing, or being aggressive. I understand he could do damage either way, esp. as he gets bigger. Trying to decide whether to keep or not. (Bought and raised solely as a pet) Please go easy on the "cows as pets" comments, if so, so be it, we will have learned from mistake and will move on. Thanks

Well I will go easy on your cow for pet comment. My pet is a jersey steer that in his glory of summer fat will hit close to 1900 lbs. Eugene stand close to 5' 9" at the shoulder. He is even halter broke. So, anyone wants to object to a pet steer just smile and say thats nice" We all have our favorites"

Oh by the way Euqene was born the summer of 1990. He worked for us as a lead herd steer for many yrs when heifers were taken to rented pastures. He retired from that role 5 yrs ago when a real bad case of ticks almost killed him. Till this day I can not get him back on a trailer.
Bob

[ugabulldog]

randiliana- great advice, I am already using it, madsaw- good to know I'm not the only one with a pet cow.

[Dodgegal79]

He's playing, all calves do that. Don't rub his head, ever. Scratch under his chin if he wants pets. Also their nose is very sensitive, if he is pushing you smack it.

[agmantoo]

I have an "arms length" agreement with my beef cattle and I intend to keep it. We get within arms length of each other but no closer. I have seen what livestock "pets" can do. I have an acquaintance that had a domestic animal to cause the loss of a leg. Not far from where I live and elderly couple was killed by a ram. A friend had a pet deer, his wife had to shoot the deer to get it off him. A neighbor was hurt when her pet sow nearly bit her arm off. These occurrences are not rare. There is a learning experience with the frequency of these accidents. One cannot be too careful.

[Callieslamb]

My jersey steer likes to play. He tried to head butt the flake of hay I feed him. I leave him a gallon jug to kick around and he plays with that. Today, I caught him playing in the beams of light falling across his stall.

[Cliff]

He's playing. It's a Jersey calf's fav thing to do besides eating. Just teach him his boundaries and he should be fine.