Cattle that won't "herd"

[Curtis B]

I won't get into the whole story, but in short I had two steers and two bulls jump the fence into the garden last night (right at dusk), and the only way out was through the yard. The two bulls would not "herd" at all. They would both turn and and walk/trot towards me or just flail around. How the he** do you move cattle that will not move in the traditional sence? The only way I could get them to move was to smack them on the nose as they came towards me to get them to keep coming. The two crazies are Jerseys, and are going to the butcher this fall, I am just curious incase I end up with more nuckle heads in the future, or they get out again. BTW I don't think a cattle prod would have even worked since any time I got behind them they would turn to me.

[agmantoo]

Curtis B
The two animals are "bucket trained". They associate a person and/with something to eat. I do not encourage petting, head scratching and hand feeding. Eventually calves will become grown cattle and they do not forget how they were handled as calves and will try to repeat old habits. I try to maintain an arms length arrangement with my cattle. I am not mean or threatening nor am I overly friendly. I am the boss in the pasture and I want them to respect me. This discourages bulls from being aggressive or cows wanting to get in your pocket. Cattle are domestic animals and not pets. This is the safest approach IMO.

[Curtis B]

I didn't even think of them being bucket trained. When I got them they were about a year old. The strange thing to me was the two steers that act normal I personaly raised as bottle calves. I am to the point now I can't wait for their appointment at the butcher.

[ksfarmer]

Lots of yelling, cursing, claping of hands, and a big stick will herd most critters.

When you say "trot towards me", do you mean agressively or just being friendly??

[Curtis B]

Originally Posted by ksfarmer

Lots of yelling, cursing, claping of hands, and a big stick will herd most critters. This is what I normaly would do, and didn't work.

When you say "trot towards me", do you mean agressively or just being friendly??

This was hard to tell. They two CRAZY Jerseys in question and just seem to be just being friendly, but there tends to be some "pawing" and they almost allways come with their heads down, which makes me think agressive.

[ksfarmer]

Originally Posted by Curtis B

This was hard to tell. They two CRAZY Jerseys in question and just seem to be just being friendly, but there tends to be some "pawing" and they almost allways come with their heads down, which makes me think agressive.

This sounds like agressive behavior to me also. I would be very cautious around them. Don't let them get the idea they are in charge of things or they could be dangerous. If you have any question about safety , it may require an earlier trip to the butcher than originally planned.

[francismilker]

I don't usually recommend the use of buggy whips or hotshots, but in your case they may need and attention-getter.

[ksfarmer]

Originally Posted by francismilker

I don't usually recommend the use of buggy whips or hotshots, but in your case they may need and attention-getter.

I agree. Sometimes it is necessary to gain a little respect.

[francismilker]

I've always been an advocate of a saying my grandpa use to say, "the fastest way to work cows is slow". But, when I purchase my yearly jersey bull for the purpose of breeding my heifers I start out my relationship with him on a basis of commanding his respect. The jersey bull is traditionally known for their ability to get mean so I don't give him a chance to think I'm his prey. Any time I go to the barn I have a wooden club in my hand and use it even if there's a possibility he challenges me.

Once again, this is only in the jersey bull situation. All my others crittes are moved around following a feed bucket.

[springvalley]

Now jersey`s are no more crazy than any other critter, I had some yearling heifers get into the horse pasture the other day and I didn`t think twice. I went and got the feed bucket and they followed me back to their yard a whole lot faster than trying to herd them. and my 24 year old Belgian gelding followed up to make sure they didn`t go back to his shed. I use the feed bucket most of the time to move animals.>Thanks Marc

[myersfarm]

with something coming to me......might try the feed in a FLAT PAN TIED TO A ROPE.....PULLING IT ALONG ON THE GROUND AS YOU WALK......I never let them get that close to me...