Questions

[drafthossluvr]

Hi again! I’ve got some questions:

1. I want to get a bottle calf (a steer) but he will be alone, I don’t have any other cattle. Will he stay by himself without going through fences and freaking out or does he need a friend?

2. What type of “treats” can he have? and what can he not have?

Thanks everyone!!

[Howie]

He should have a friend but does not need to be cattle. It can just as well be you.:) Or a dog, cat, or even a goat.:p

[CharlyBonifaz]

What type of “treats” can he have? and what can he not have?

second question first: too many treats; they should remain an exception;
mine will do anything for a roll, an apple, a bottle of beer, a yoghurt, a twig of fir…he’ll tell you, no worries

[Nat(wasIxy)]

I personally think it is very important for cattle to have the company of other cattle. They are very social animals, meant to be in a herd – they love to groom each other, and a dog or yourself won’t head-wrestle with him the way a bovine mate would. Imagine spending your whole life with no one around you speaking the same language, or enjoying the things you do 🙁

From an oxen point of view, I also think it’s important for them to be bossed around by mature cattle as calves – it stops them being spoilt brats and socialises them IMO. I see a lot of singly kept, bottle raised steers turn out spoilt and dangerous.

[Author]

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