New calf

[starjj]

My Angus cow had her first calf last Thursday.
I have three questions

How do I halter break it?

When should I offer it grain?

The cow is naturally polled the bull was horned but came from line that was naturally polled. So it is 50 50 if it will be polled or horned

When would I see horn buds?

It is of course running in the pasture with the cow and nursing. It is nice and healthy but of course now it is skittish.

Since the bull was a Dexter it is smaller than a purebred.

[randiliana]

You can start halterbreaking anytime. The sooner you start the easier it is. But just be careful around the cow.

There should be no need to give the calf grain if the cow has enough milk for it. After weaning (6-7 months) you can feed it grain to help it grow faster/better.

An Angus cow should be homo polled, so the calf should not develop horns. If you breed the calf to a horned or hetero polled animal you have a 50% chance of horns.

If the calf is actually horned, you should be able to feel horn buds now. There will be the odd calf that won't develop buds until it is older though.