Why is he so NOISY???

KIT.S · #1 07/30/12, 11:31 PM

Holstein bull, 2 months away from the freezer (13 months old now), by himself except for his pet pig (his buddy, ----Cow, went to the freezer early). He's been yelling all day. Got fed double because we ended up with extra brewer's grain, got new water, got sprayed for flies, got sprayed with water just because he was being a pain. Jeez, guy! Shut up!

Cattle across the road were yelling last week, but not today, so they aren't calling him. Nothing special is going on. It's not hotter out, it's not raining, no storms or lightning. Why is he so vocal?

This is our second calf, both started out last July. I am obviously not a cattle expert - actually, I probably don't know enough to be a cattle amateur. However, ----Cow tastes really good so we have high hopes for this one.
Kit

G. Seddon · #2 07/31/12, 06:36 AM

He's vocal because:

1. He's lonely. Cattle are herd animals and a pig is no substitute for a cow.
2. He's a bull. (Be careful because he's a dairy bull.) Could be there's a cow across the road that's in heat.

topside1 · #3 07/31/12, 06:54 AM

That's the "Two Month Blues" he's singing, a single off the album "Packing my Bags".

Cliff · #4 07/31/12, 07:18 AM

Agree if he's a bull he's calling to a cow or cows who are in heat nearby.

Be cautious around him, especially if you ever petted or played with him. Dairy bulls are dangerous and can suddenly take an interest in "playing" with you that can easily leave you dead.

KIT.S · #5 07/31/12, 02:09 PM

Yes, a gamboling giant animal (he has huge feet) is really cute from a distance, but we don't go in the pasture with him any more. They became teenagers, and weren't "nice" any more. His buddy would *not* stay in the fence, so he went into the freezer. Weirdly enough, this one and an AGH pig really are good friends and share the food dishes.

I thought since the neighbors' cows quit yelling that they had been bred and would no longer be attractive, but they're only 500 yards away or so, so he can certainly smell them.
Thanks,
Kit

PaulNKS · #6 07/31/12, 06:36 PM

Cows "bawling" don't always mean they are "bulling". (terminology lesson. LOL) But, if the cows are "bawling" and your bull is upset, most likely, it's courting, or wishing. lol

Cows bawling can also mean the calves were just weaned from the cows and the cows will sometimes bawl for a week.