Young Bull

[farmerjon]

I have a bull who is about 2 years old. He shows no intrest in my cows. I have never seen him smell a back end let alone try to mount them. Is he two young or are times not right. I have 3 cows. One had a calf in october, another had a calf in febuary which she lost and the other calfed last month. Im not worried about the one who just calfed, but shoud the other 2 be ready? Another stupid question is that he is short compared to the cows. maybe a foot or 2 shorter. Is this a problem? Please let me know your thoughts, I know they are stupid questions sorry.

[TSYORK]

If your bull is two years old and has never mounted, sniffed, etc for your cows, then you have got yourself one defunct bull. He should be trying to do the deed by 6-8 months old. I said trying, not succeeding. Are you sure he hasn't been steered, but even then, he should try to mount, even though he couldn't do the job once he got up there. I suggest getting some steaks, roasts, and hamburger, and getting a new bull too!

[farmerjon]

Originally Posted by TSYORK

If your bull is two years old and has never mounted, sniffed, etc for your cows, then you have got yourself one defunct bull. He should be trying to do the deed by 6-8 months old. I said trying, not succeeding. Are you sure he hasn't been steered, but even then, he should try to mount, even though he couldn't do the job once he got up there. I suggest getting some steaks, roasts, and hamburger, and getting a new bull too!

That was my thought

[RoyalValley]

Our bull is not 2 years old until August and has already sired our first round of calves. I'm not sure why yours wouldn't but if he isn't he is not worth much just to look at. I know that even my bull who was a lot shorter than our holstein would try to breed her when he was 9 months old.

[justaheifer]

Have your cows been coming into heat?

[farmerjon]

Originally Posted by justaheifer

Have your cows been coming into heat?

To be honest, I dont know. I would assume The cow who calved in october would have by now and the one who lost her calf should have.,

[genebo]

My Dexter bulls begin breeding at 6-8 months. Size is not a problem. Even the smallest of them manage to breed Angus cows. The cow will make sure of it when she comes into heat.

You didn't say how much time you spend watching. Maybe he's getting the job done and you just missed seeing it.

Your cows that calved or lost calves should have begun coming into heat about 3 weeks afterward. They should be rebred by their third heat. If they're not still coming into heat every 3 weeks, maybe they are bred.

A bull won't show any interest in a cow that is not in heat. They're just pasture buddies up until then. Pregnant cows don't come into heat so it would be normal for him not to show any sexual behavior toward pregnant cows.

Watch your cows. In a month's time, every open cow should come into heat at least once. They do it every 3 weeks. When they're in heat, even the other cows will sometimes try to mount. If they're not coming into heat there's a good chance they're pregnant.

That would mean your bull did his job.

[copperhead46]

I had the same problem, thought my young bull wasn't getting the job done. I took him to the vet and got a sperm count, he was in the high range, so I quit worrying. Pretty soon the girls started dropping babies. I never saw him pay any attention to them but he was getting the job done. You might take the one that calved in October and have her preg tested, she should be bred for sure.

[farmerjon]

Originally Posted by copperhead46

I had the same problem, thought my young bull wasn't getting the job done. I took him to the vet and got a sperm count, he was in the high range, so I quit worrying. Pretty soon the girls started dropping babies. I never saw him pay any attention to them but he was getting the job done. You might take the one that calved in October and have her preg tested, she should be bred for sure.

Yea, I have thought about having that done to check to be sure.

[randiliana]

2 years old really isn't considered that young of a bull. Many bulls are used for their first time as yearlings (14+ months). By two they should be more than ready to go to work.

Personally, I would be really worried about a bull that I didn't at least see sniffing around the cows. He should be doing that even if all the cows are bred. Maybe not all the time, but he should be checking. With only 3 cows, it is really hard to know if he is doing anything or not. If you do have a problem, it is most likely a libido problem (although it could be associated with other issues) so a breeding soundness exam may not find issues with the bull. I would do as others have suggested and get the cow that calved in October preg tested. If she is bred you don't have a problem, if she is dry, well, then you probably do.

[65284]

Does he mooooo with a lisp?

[farmerjon]

Originally Posted by 65284

Does he mooooo with a lisp?

now that you say that he spends alot of time with my bull calf. maybe I should be concerned...

[onthespot]

Maybe he says "Myewwwww"

[copperhead46]

haahaa, now thats funny. Didn't disney have a bull named Ferdinand that liked flowers better that girls ??