Are predators attracted to calving?

Dexter · #1 07/21/09, 12:17 AM

I have two dexter heifers about to calve, running with another cow and bull about 1000' away from my residence. I may not actually hear them when it all begins.

The land back there is also scrub so not good visibility for me and we do have lots of bears and coyotes. I brush cut about an acre, but you know they aren't likely to calve where you hope they will.

Should I be concerned or will the bull be all I need for protection? He is pretty calm but imagine he could be a good gaurdian.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

Ronney · #2 07/21/09, 05:20 AM

Put it this way, we don't have any predators in this country but there is no way I would leave calving/lambing animals in with my pigs - they are attracted to the smell of body fluids and blood and I should think coyotes would be no different. I would definately not be relying on the bull to be a protector.

If you have barning facilities I would suggest bring them in at night and if that isn't an option, the house section is probably the next safest place. Doesn't do much for the garden but better than dead calves or cows. A battery operated electric fence unit and tape can confine them to the lawn for the night.

Cheers,
Ronnie

copperhead46 · #3 07/21/09, 11:23 AM

I wouldn't count on the bull to be the protector........My Dexter cows run the predators off!!! Now if it's a bear, I don't think any of them would be able to protect them. I would put my cows up close when it's time to calve and clean up any blood or afterbirth, to keep the attractant down. Good luck
P.J.

francismilker · #4 07/21/09, 11:43 AM

It's not uncommon in my area for a cougar to compete with the cow to consume the afterbirth. Several ranchers around here have lost calves to them. That being said there are a lot of "guardians" to protect livestock like billy goats, donkeys, and dogs. But, if you're dealing with a bear, cougar, or timber wolf I'd say a 30/06 would be the only true deterent.

DaleK · #5 07/21/09, 01:39 PM

Around here we've had bears eat the calves before the cow is even done calving, they'll just come out if she's down or chase her down while she's half-done calving and eat the calf as it comes out. With a Dexter they'd soon kill the cow too.
Coyotes would probably wait until the calf is out then it would be easy pickings.
There are also problems with ravens and some other birds when cows are calving, a friend had 10 calves out of about 30 calvings this spring that he had to put down because the ravens ate their eyes and tongues out as soon as they were born.

ErinP · #6 07/22/09, 06:13 PM

Cows are definitely more protective than a bull. (Out of curiosity, why do you have the bull with the cows if it's calving season?)

To the original question; I've seen where coyotes have eaten a calf on it's way into the world. And then the back end of the heifer, while she was still down. It was a pretty rough winter, though.
Also, in my experience fall calving doesn't attract near the number of predator attacks as early spring calving does. Too many other food sources are still readily available this time of year.

However, I'll echo Wind in Her Hair that the best way to keep them at bay is to bring your heavies in close to your house.
Pair them out to pasture after they have a few days on them, though. It'll limit your scours and other nasties.

Ronney · #7 07/23/09, 06:14 AM

Erin, I often run my bulls with the in-calf cows. It keeps them contented and out of trouble. Despite what people may think, when it comes to calving the bull isn't the slightest bit interested and is more often than not, very tolerant of the new addition to the herd.

Cheers,
Ronnie

agmantoo · #8 07/23/09, 10:10 AM

Since I calve year around, the Bull is never out of the pasture with the herd. Other than verifying he is physical fit, I make no effort to check on him nor do I give him any consideration for his being there. When I band and ear tag new calves he totally is not interested. The quickest method at my place to get a one way ticket to the sale barn is for an animal to create a threat or danger to a person under day to day conditions. Loading cattle for transport has its dangers but those are created by the activity. Proper handling equipment and cattle savvy handlers minimize those risks. Bad habits in cattle are learned from other cattle, something that should not tolerated unless you are in the bucking bull business!

twohunnyz · #9 07/23/09, 12:58 PM

I've read that calving around the same time as deer, etc. in your area will greatly reduce if not eliminate the temptation for a predator, being that they have easier pickings away from humans. How true is this in your experience?

Krystal

ErinP · #10 07/24/09, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronney

Erin, I often run my bulls with the in-calf cows. It keeps them contented and out of trouble. Despite what people may think, when it comes to calving the bull isn't the slightest bit interested and is more often than not, very tolerant of the new addition to the herd.

Cheers,
Ronnie

I guess I wasn't thinking so much of being intolerant as not having a defined calving season.
But then, maybe that's just because I'm used to thinking in terms of much bigger herds. For example, you don't want 800 cows calving year round!