Jersey Bulls

[Shirecity]

Greetings everyone,

I'm brand new to this forum, but come from a long history of farming. I got quite interested in reading the topics especially on Jersey Bulls, which is a subject near and dear to me. I have read a lot of posts on the temperament changes on jersey Bulls. I currently have an 18 year old bull. I've had him since the day he was born. I've never had any bad experience with him. His father was the same temperament and lived to be 26. The vet suspected his demise was a heart attack. I come from 2 generations of dairy farmers who swore by jerseys. Growing up, my grandfather had several Bulls, many of which, lived into their 30's. I've never known any one of them to become aggressive. Even as a kid, I would walk in the fields with them and never have they displayed any aggression. I'm curious to know what other experiences folks have had with jersey Bulls. I am talking about intact Bulls, not steers.

[wogglebug]

My grandfather loved and babied his Jersey herd bull, and it loved him right back - until the day it exploded with no prior warning, knocked him down, and started to try to gore him. Thankfully, some of my uncles were around and managed to beat him off. Grandad came out of it black-and-blue from neck to knees, but it could have been a lot worse.

There are animals whose nature is such that they are on a hair-trigger all the time. Many fighting dog breeds also come to mind. They can be friendly and reliable all their lives - or not. There's always a possibility that they'll eat Grandma. Jersey bulls, I believe, are like that. You may have a different, and very unusual, strain of them. If so, treasure it. However, in general, Jerseys divide their temperament up. The cows are gorgeous - sweet natured, friendly, even cuddly. This is because they get 99% of the good nature, and the bulls get 99% of the bad nature. Jersey bulls are in general about as good-natured and reliable as a cut snake.

[gone-a-milkin]

Shirecity,

I would enjoy seeing some photos of your senior Jersey bull.
It is so very uncommon for them to still be around at 18 years old.
Are you still raising the original cattle bloodlines of your family?
Also, what is your general location?

[barnbilder]

I haven't found all Jersey cows to be "cuddly". Everybody has a unique temperament, cattle are no different. I think Jerseys get bad because people play with them when they are growing up. They are cute and cuddly as little ones. When grown, a friendly game of 'grind you into the mud' doesn't seem so much like a game to the human player. There are bad bulls in all breeds.

[Ronney]

Jersey bulls are reknowned for being the worst of all breeds - unpredictable and nasty if they have a mind to.

Having said that, I love them and personally have had no problem with them. However, I did own one that was as good as gold with me but hated Kevin with a vengeance to the point where he couldn't go into the same paddock. Kevin had never done anything to him, hadn't played with him as a calf, none of the things that supposedly give problems.

All bulls should be given respect, the Jersey a bit more than most.

Enjoy your old fellow and I too would like to see a photo of him. I suspect the Jersey is a long-lived breed given the chance - I have an 18 year old cow here, in calf and in good health.

Cheers,
Ronnie