small group sometimes too small?

[sanhestar]

Hi everyone,

I started wondering a couple of days back if in some cases a herd/group consisting of only two animals – in my case one cow, one steer – could be too small for the animals to be comfortable with.

This is what I observed over the few months since I bought them: both have grown up in a larger herd (approx. 30-40 head of cattle) and now live as a small two-cow-group. I seldom see both lying down, sleeping, ruminating, most of the time the cow (a few weeks older) will stand guard while the steer is lying down.

I’m a bit concerned that this constant “pressure” she puts herself in as self-appointed guardian is not healthy for her – mentally and maybe physically.

What are your experiences with small groups?

Thanks

[Rick H.]

I don’t think you need to be concerned about the well being of your cow. While they are herd animals they are also quite adaptable. Many people have kept family milk cows where it was the only bovine on the place for years with no ill effects. To often people read to much into livestock situations when there is no real problem. If well fed and properly housed your cow will be just fine. I think your stressing more than your cattle are. Relax and enjoy. I have no cattle at this time, but have been involved with cattle for the last 30 years from the family cow situation to managing over 300 dairy cows and a little beef cattle work thrown in too. They can be very adaptable. Have fun, and again, enjoy.

[Nat(wasIxy)]

I only have my two steers as constants, everything else is bought, sold, slaughtered etc so doesn’t stick around for long, and I find that these two are very adaptable as long as they are together – they don’t mind being taken away from the main herd to graze little patches as long as they have a companion, keeping one separate with other cows in sight is a recipe for broken/jumped fences! I think your two will be fine as they are.

soon one is going for the chop though and Angus will be on his own again – in terms of a special friend, he will have other members of the herd but not his longstanding mate, which will be interesting to see how he reacts.

[sanhestar]

Hello,

maybe it didn’t come out right.

I have no doubt that two animals can adapt to work as a group. But seeing Emma way longer stand, ruminate while standing (not lying down), watching her surroundings while Roy is dozing, ruminating, relaxing – I get a feeling that could be translated to “sleep deprivation” in a way.

In a larger group, the position of guardian shifts during the daily cycle. But Roy doesn’t do his share for whatever reasons and there’s no other cow that could relieve Emma from her self-appointed “duty” – at least for some time during a day.

[Author]

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