Do different species have dominance battles?

[Oakshire_Farm]

I have 2 pastures, in one lives weanling calves, sheep and my daughters 3 ponies, all live happy and great together! In pasture #2 lives the milk cows, my bull, my stallion and my gelding. They are the "bigger" group in size, it makes it safer for the kids to be able to go in and play with the ponies and me not worry.... They know NEVER to enter the big pasture with out a adult.

Well over the past few weeks I noticed my stallion (Shire horse) has been loosing weight? He is the easiest keeper ever, typical draft, stays fat just breathing...... So this was a weird thing for me? Then 2 weeks ago, we put out a round bale and I was standing close by my Dexter bull got a little excited and head-butted the stallion, knocked his right down!!! I lost my mind, grabbed my plastic pipe, chased the bull out into the darkness screaming words that would make a sailor blush.... My husband did not see it happen he was on the tractor, he just heard me screaming and take off running into the dark! He came out to find me, poor stallion when he got his feet under him, he seems me yelling with a stick and has taken off too..... So I found him, gave him a quick once over and consoled him (he is the most pathetic excuse for a stallion, all the typical "stallion" behaviors he has never shown he is sensitive) So I lost my mind was ready to shoot the bull.... but I though I would just calm down, I sent a text to the people that I leased him to last year... to see if they would be interested in buying him. Well yes they are! Then we got a dump of snow and I could not deliver him. So I watched, and ever since "the ordeal" I have kept a close eye on him. When they are at the feed, they all stay together as a "heard" but the bull has never head butted the horse again, but he is constantly pushing him away from food.

He does not care about the gelding at all? Is this a dominance struggle? The bull is 5, has been living in the same field as the stallion for 5 years....

Either way the bull went to his new home today. I will miss the wonderful calves he threw.

[Awnry Abe]

Yes, they will spar when food is tight. Multiple food sources are necessary, just like with single species squabbles over food. Put out a second bale and you will probably be able to keep your bull. Or better yet, roll it out in several different areas if you have the means. Our dominant animals wont wear themselves out chasing down every bite of food as long as each bite is far enough apart.

[Oakshire_Farm]

The bull is gone now, We had been talking about selling him. So this was the push to do it. The do have 2 feeding points, but they prefer the one closest to the barn. My barn yard is not big enough for 2 in the barn yard.

This past year I lost 2 of my Jerseys (1 old age, 1 milk fever) so I was wanting to AI my remaining 3 Jerseys to build back up my herd. Last year my husband took the AI tech course. So with him being certified, it just made sense to switch over to AI, one less mouth to feed is always a good thing.

[Awnry Abe]

AI is definitely a good way to go with just a few cows. That bull doesn't get a chance to earn his keep. I have a small-framed dairy cow that went natural service to a bull that has me a little nervous (2-3 more weeks to find out...). I am thinking about AI for her and her two dairy friends, just so I don't have to sweat it.

I'm glad you got things sorted out, anyway. Looks like everyone came out a winner in that deal.