cow questions

[Minelson]

Is there such a thing as having a cow as a pet? We were thinking of getting one to eat up what the horses don't eat in the pasture. I'm a softy so any critter on our homestead turns into a pet...I get attached.
Do cows need a buddy like goats and horses? or is just one ok? WOuld bottle feeding make it more like a pet...more friendly?
Forgive me if these questions are too "out there" for this forum

[Ronney]

You can certainly have a cow as a pet and if you rear it yourself, it will be an even bigger pet. In the past I have kept a single cow and when I got another she beat the living daylights out of it and I had to keep them separate on a permanent basis which was a real pain. In other words, if a cow is brought up on it's own with you as it's primary companion and caregiver, you become it's "herd".

The cow will not be cleaning up after the horse though, it will be the other way around. Horses and sheep eat much closer to the ground than cattle and do the clean-up work behind cattle.

Cheers,
Ronnie

[indianheadranch]

Yes of course you can make a pet from a cow, one word of caution though a cow can hurt you in the play mode they get in, be very careful as a cow could crush you up against a wall and not mean to hurt you, just remember and dont forget they are your pet, but they are also an animal with limited thinking abilities,

[freedomfrom4]

I have a calf I'm raising and they get to think they are dogs. The last one we sold him after a month cause he was growing and my 2 year old likes to go to the barn. I like the chalenge of the young ones that need care. This next one we didn't play with neer as much so that hopefully he doesn't have as much of that play attitude. The first one we liked better. This one is more dignified and seems to be stuck up. we think raising calves is alot of fun

[RosewoodfarmVA]

Bottle raised calves are very friendly and can be overbearing or dangerous once they get 1200lbs! They have no natural 'fear' or 'distance' from humans like most cows do and so can hurt you in a split'second.

Cows and Horses eat the same grasses and legumes so will compete for feed. Goats eat mainly brush and weeds so would be a better choice if the pasture is to be shared, as they will eat what the horse doesn't want. Also goats are very friendly but are rarely big enough to knock you down or trample you! From what Ive seen horses tend to bond better with goats than cows. Cows form their own herd separate from the horses, while the goats would bond with the horses (or cows for that matter).

[francismilker]

All of mine are pets. That's why my better half refers to me as an addict! Actually, most all of my beef cows originated as bottle calves from a dairy that bred their holstein heifers to angus bulls for lower birth weights. They were bottle raised by the kids and halter broke as well. You can sure get some funny looks from someone who calls you three miles away when you have a cow in their pasture and your method for removal involves a feedbucket and a lead rope. They usually expect you to show up with a portable loading chute and a lariat rope or at least a couple good cattle dogs!

All of my dairy cows are halter broke as well. Some better than others. But, it just makes it easier to handle them in and out of the stanchions if they will lead. As well, they all stand at the fence begging when I'm outside. (hoping for a treat) They're all named and will respond pretty well when called for. That's the way I get my "fix". (leaning on the fence with a good cup of coffee in hand and watching my pets make fertilizer!)