[sanhestar]

Hi,

our climate is very different from Texas, I suppose 🙂

We live nearly 2000 ft. (600 meters?) high, in summer the temperature is seldom above 86°F – average is 78 to 83. The winters are cold and wet or cold and snow (often till April) – although we do feel the effects of global warming, too.

[sanhestar]

these videos also give much insight into how the bulls communicate dominance to each other – apart from the fighting: the earth tearing, mock attacks, occupying a strategic place, letting the less dominant bull move while the dominant one stands still.

[sanhestar]

Hi,

thanks for the responses.

As I also can’t stand the heat of a sommer day at midday, I won’t mind them laying in the shadow, that’s what I do, too.

We don’t need them for heavy farm work. We have a small goat husbandry
and don’t want to buy a tractor for the heavier jobs (pulling the water wagon,
the transportable shelter, carrying the mobile fencing and fence equipment,
moving roundbales, getting firewood from the woods, these kind of jobs – no
plowing or pulling of heavy machinery).

I thought about clipping them, as well (I do this with one of our packgoats because the breed – Swiss Blackneck – has very long hair).

I don’t think that the hair can be used for felting or spinning: too smooth. But it should make good padding, f.e. for cushions, etc.

@David_Brown: could you tell me a bit more about their trainability? Do you need to start them younger than breeds that are less independent (milking breeds). What about starting a 1/2 year old that had limited contact to people till then? Can you tame them proper?

A friend of mine has a herd of highland cattle but he doesn’t interact with them much. The older animals where sozialised from the former owner but haven’t had training or sozialisation for years now. Would starting calves from a nice, quiet cow be much more difficult (in relation to proper socialised calves)?

[sanhestar]

Hi,

a castration will ease the hormone related behavioural responses, soften the animal up, so to speak. But, not all behaviour is simply hormone related, a lot of it is wired into the brain and when an animal has had the opportunity to live and act out these instintive behaviour, it will stay readily available.

F.e. – a stallion that has served mares will, even after castration, respond to the signals of a mare in heat. Same with bucks (sheep and goats), male dogs, male cats and quite certainly, also bulls.

But the behaviour won’t be as strong or as persistent as in an intact male.

For your second question: I believe it’s a matter of a healthy balance. A well bonded animal that knows its limits and trusts and respects (not fears) its human handlers.

[sanhestar]

Hi,

first, I’ve never trained a cow before but I trained horses and goats (pack animals).

When teaching a young horse to have patience on the way home the most valuable asset was time and patience. I remember once spending 1/2 hour waiting with a yearling just 100 meters away from the barn. He wouldn’t quit trying to overrun me, so I stopped, let him back up a few steps and then wait. To make the right effort, I counted – slowly at least to 60 – and whenever he moved I would start the count again. This is a nice way to remain calm and not to start rush yourself. You have to reach 60 before you may move on…..

If they start to challenge me I would let their actions blow off of me. What helps me is to say “you don’t impress me with that at all!”, stand my ground, ask a few steps backwards and restart the count.

But it’s also a perfectly normal behaviour. It’s a young animal and his safety zone is in the barn/at home. As soon as his bond to you will strengthen he will become comfortable with you everywhere.

If he’s not too upset you might try feeding him while you’re outside. Maybe he rushes home because your routine is to give him a tasty treat/feed after you get home and he anticipates it now.

Sabine

[sanhestar]

Hello,

goats draw well with a harness or a custom fit collar. I’ve never heard a yoke recommended and would find it quite difficult to fit one to a goat as the shape of the neck is very different to that from oxen.

For details on harnessed goats check

http://www.harnessgoats.co.uk
http://www.packgoatforum.com

or do a search on yahoogroups for the two harness goat mailing lists.

Sabine

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