Brother Cow

disturbedinwv · #1 11/03/14, 08:10 PM

My old man got a good deal on a steer last year. Since he's been here I have developed an affinity for him. Almost every day I rub him, scratch his chin, I swatted flies off of him in the summer, talk to him, etc. He usually runs over to me for his daily scratching or whatnot.

Lately I can't tell if he's being aggressive or just trying to get attention but he has charged at me a couple times and shook his head somewhat menacingly. I understand he will go to freezer camp eventually and I have no problems with that, as he will provide us with food and leather. I just try to treat him with dignity and respect while he's alive.

Is it time to end my relationship with brother cow? lol. I realize it's a silly question. I mean should I leave him alone or perhaps just give him a smack on the nose if he gets a little too frisky?

Awnry Abe · #2 11/03/14, 08:20 PM

I'd take those head shakes a cue to cut the relationship off. He can go find a stump to rub against. Even if he isn't doing it out of aggression--and that is a big if, he will still dish out what you can give and ratchet it up. Look at the size of animals he is designed to tussle with for dominance. We don't stand a chance in that match.

disturbedinwv · #3 11/03/14, 08:41 PM

That's what I figured too. I guess I'm surprised that he has remained friendly for this long.

He will be invited for Christmas dinner. We're having prime rib...

MO_cows · #4 11/03/14, 08:52 PM

Sounds like the perfect steer. Gets snotty right at the last so you won't feel guilty about beefing him!

Yes, it's time to quit petting him. If you have been scratching him on top of his head, his poll, you have been inviting him to head butt you in case you didn't know it. The head shake is a warning, it's aggression.

disturbedinwv · #5 11/04/14, 04:44 PM

I took the whiffle bat with me today when I went to the barn, to let him know that we can no longer be friends. All I had to do was smack the fence or whatnot and he took off.

Here's a before pic (May) and a current one. There's not much to compare him with in the second pic but you can tell he's gotten bigger. He has had nothing to eat except pasture, with the exception of an occasional piece of bread.

G. Seddon · #6 11/04/14, 08:17 PM

If this steer is destined for the freezer, he's got quite a ways to go, and there doesn't appear to be much there for him to eat. He's going to need some feed and hay to grow and fill out; winter's almost here!