Heifer maternal instincts

[milkmaid]

So I was talking with a rancher recently about maternal instincts in heifers. How many of you have first-calf heifers that won't take their calf? they're intensely interested in the calf but they kick at him, roll him when he tries to stand, beller at him, etc, but if you tie the heifer up and let the calf suck, she's generally fine after that? maybe you'd consider it "too much" maternal instinct.

I'm looking for a bit of informal research information. Can I get some input from y'all? These require VERY short answers - don't worry about the list!

1) Do you have heifers that display those actions/attitude? (yes/no; if "no" please explain what abnormal actions you see instead)
2) How many heifers do you see like that per year? (percent or numerical value if less than 10 heifers/yr)
3) Calve on grass or barn setting?
4) Do you use calving ease sires on your heifers? (yes/no)
5) How closely do you check your heifers? (time frame each day)
6) Do you consider your herd in general (heifers and cows) to have strong maternal instincts (e.g. they might run a person or animal off if it came too close to their calf)? (yes/no)
7) Where would you place your herd on the "friendly/comfortable around people" to "wild range cow" scale? (1-10 where 1=friendly, 10=wild)
8.) What state are you in?

Thanks, appreciate the input! If I get enough responses I'll try to post the results in the next few weeks for anyone who is curious.

Edit:
I realized it'll be easier to analyze the results with a survey program; the questions are now available here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DWMP5MH

I added a question about how many heifers you calve each year; the survey is completely anonymous. If you take the survey at the link and you've already posted below, please let me know, otherwise I'll just input the data from your post myself. Thanks again![/b]

 

[gcreekrch]

So I was talking with a rancher recently about maternal instincts in heifers. How many of you have first-calf heifers that won't take their calf? they're intensely interested in the calf but they kick at him, roll him when he tries to stand, beller at him, etc, but if you tie the heifer up and let the calf suck, she's generally fine after that? maybe you'd consider it "too much" maternal instinct.

I'm looking for a bit of informal research information. Can I get some input from y'all? These require VERY short answers - don't worry about the list!

1) Do you have heifers that display those actions/attitude? (yes/no; if "no" please explain what abnormal actions you see instead)

Yes, rolling their calf around as it trys to stand.

2) How many heifers do you see like that per year? (percent or numerical value if less than 10 heifers/yr)

5%

3) Calve on grass or barn setting?

3 acre lot, try to barn as few as possible.


4) Do you use calving ease sires on your heifers? (yes/no)

Yes


5) How closely do you check your heifers? (time frame each day)

3-4 hours.

6) Do you consider your herd in general (heifers and cows) to have strong maternal instincts (e.g. they might run a person or animal off if it came too close to their calf)? (yes/no)

Yes

7) Where would you place your herd on the "friendly/comfortable around people" to "wild range cow" scale? (1-10 where 1=friendly, 10=wild)

7-8

8.) What state are you in?

British Columbia Canada

Thanks, appreciate the input! If I get enough responses I'll try to post the results in the next few weeks for anyone who is curious.

 

[per]

So I was talking with a rancher recently about maternal instincts in heifers. How many of you have first-calf heifers that won't take their calf? they're intensely interested in the calf but they kick at him, roll him when he tries to stand, beller at him, etc, but if you tie the heifer up and let the calf suck, she's generally fine after that? maybe you'd consider it "too much" maternal instinct.

I'm looking for a bit of informal research information. Can I get some input from y'all? These require VERY short answers - don't worry about the list!

1) Do you have heifers that display those actions/attitude? (yes/no; if "no" please explain what abnormal actions you see instead)

yes

2) How many heifers do you see like that per year? (percent or numerical value if less than 10 heifers/yr)

2%

3) Calve on grass or barn setting?

Grass or large grassed pen.

4) Do you use calving ease sires on your heifers? (yes/no)

No

5) How closely do you check your heifers? (time frame each day)

6 hours

6) Do you consider your herd in general (heifers and cows) to have strong maternal instincts (e.g. they might run a person or animal off if it came too close to their calf)? (yes/no)

yes not so much person but animal for sure.

7) Where would you place your herd on the "friendly/comfortable around people" to "wild range cow" scale? (1-10 where 1=friendly, 10=wild)

5

8.) What state are you in?

A state of frenzy when a cow is chasing me. A state of confusion if she gets me. A state of uforia if I escape.

Thanks, appreciate the input! If I get enough responses I'll try to post the results in the next few weeks for anyone who is curious.

 

[RSL]

So I was talking with a rancher recently about maternal instincts in heifers. How many of you have first-calf heifers that won't take their calf? they're intensely interested in the calf but they kick at him, roll him when he tries to stand, beller at him, etc, but if you tie the heifer up and let the calf suck, she's generally fine after that? maybe you'd consider it "too much" maternal instinct.

I'm looking for a bit of informal research information. Can I get some input from y'all? These require VERY short answers - don't worry about the list!

1) Do you have heifers that display those actions/attitude? (yes/no; if "no" please explain what abnormal actions you see instead)
Yes
2) How many heifers do you see like that per year? (percent or numerical value if less than 10 heifers/yr)
< 2%
3) Calve on grass or barn setting?
Grass
4) Do you use calving ease sires on your heifers? (yes/no)
Yes - but not at the expense of other traits
5) How closely do you check your heifers? (time frame each day)
Maybe 2 hours a day for the first week - twice daily, 1 hour or less after that
6) Do you consider your herd in general (heifers and cows) to have strong maternal instincts (e.g. they might run a person or animal off if it came too close to their calf)? (yes/no)
Yes
7) Where would you place your herd on the "friendly/comfortable around people" to "wild range cow" scale? (1-10 where 1=friendly, 10=wild)
7 - comfortable around people but don't get off your horse or out of the truck
8.) What state are you in?
Alberta, Canada
Thanks, appreciate the input! If I get enough responses I'll try to post the results in the next few weeks for anyone who is curious.

 

[Triangle Bar]

1) Do you have heifers that display those actions/attitude? (yes/no; if "no" please explain what abnormal actions you see instead)
Yes

2) How many heifers do you see like that per year? (percent or numerical value if less than 10 heifers/yr)
1%

3) Calve on grass or barn setting?
10 acre calving pasture

4) Do you use calving ease sires on your heifers? (yes/no)
Yes

5) How closely do you check your heifers? (time frame each day)
2 to 3 hours, every 30 min. when in labor

6) Do you consider your herd in general (heifers and cows) to have strong maternal instincts (e.g. they might run a person or animal off if it came too close to their calf)? (yes/no)
Yes

7) Where would you place your herd on the "friendly/comfortable around people" to "wild range cow" scale? (1-10 where 1=friendly, 10=wild)
4

8.) What state are you in?
Colorado

 

[strawking]

So I was talking with a rancher recently about maternal instincts in heifers. How many of you have first-calf heifers that won't take their calf? they're intensely interested in the calf but they kick at him, roll him when he tries to stand, beller at him, etc, but if you tie the heifer up and let the calf suck, she's generally fine after that? maybe you'd consider it "too much" maternal instinct.

I'm looking for a bit of informal research information. Can I get some input from y'all? These require VERY short answers - don't worry about the list!

1) Do you have heifers that display those actions/attitude? (yes/no; if "no" please explain what abnormal actions you see instead). Yes,
2) How many heifers do you see like that per year? (percent or numerical value if less than 10 heifers/yr). Less than 1% none last year.
3) Calve on grass or barn setting? Corn stalks or calving lots, barn some
4) Do you use calving ease sires on your heifers? (yes/no) not on home raised hfrs
5) How closely do you check your heifers? (time frame each day) 2 hours
6) Do you consider your herd in general (heifers and cows) to have strong maternal instincts (e.g. they might run a person or animal off if it came too close to their calf)? (yes/no). Yes only a few that will run me off
7) Where would you place your herd on the "friendly/comfortable around people" to "wild range cow" scale? (1-10 where 1=friendly, 10=wild). Mostly 4 but a few 10 that will be on the next bus to town
8.) What state are you in? Nebraska

Thanks, appreciate the input! If I get enough responses I'll try to post the results in the next few weeks for anyone who is curious.

 

[milkmaid]

Intriguing- thanks for the responses! I'm friends with a place that has 30%+ of their heifers like this every year, and we were discussing possible variables that could account for that.

I'd like to add two more questions-

9) Do you or would you keep a heifer in the herd that displayed those behaviors?
10) Do you or would you retain (deliberately or accidently) a heifer calf out of a heifer that had displayed those types of behaviors?

Thanks again, please keep the responses coming.

 

[RSL]

Intriguing- thanks for the responses! I'm friends with a place that has 30%+ of their heifers like this every year, and we were discussing possible variables that could account for that.

I'd like to add two more questions-

9) Do you or would you keep a heifer in the herd that displayed those behaviors? 100% no. I would likely be mad enough she would be lucky not to get shot before she got shipped.
10) Do you or would you retain (deliberately or accidently) a heifer calf out of a heifer that had displayed those types of behaviors?
In our exact situation it is entirely possible the calf would not survive, however I would put it off the potential replacement list.

Thanks again, please keep the responses coming.

 

[3words]

1) Do you have heifers that display those actions/attitude? (yes/no; if "no" please explain what abnormal actions you see instead)

Yes, rolling their calf around as it trys to stand,or standing over it and bellaring at it.

2) How many heifers do you see like that per year? (percent or numerical value if less than 10 heifers/yr)

10%

3) Calve on grass or barn setting?

barn,tail enders in the corral


4) Do you use calving ease sires on your heifers? (yes/no)

Yes


5) How closely do you check your heifers? (time frame each day)

daytime when outside doing chores i will walk through them every couple hours,once dark whenever i feel like it because i use corral and barn camera's.

6) Do you consider your herd in general (heifers and cows) to have strong maternal instincts (e.g. they might run a person or animal off if it came too close to their calf)? (yes/no)

No

7) Where would you place your herd on the "friendly/comfortable around people" to "wild range cow" scale? (1-10 where 1=friendly, 10=wild)

2-3

8.) What state are you in?

Saskatchewan,Canada

Thanks, appreciate the input! If I get enough responses I'll try to post the results in the next few weeks for anyone who is curious.[/quote][/quote]

 

[3words]

[
A state of frenzy when a cow is chasing me. A state of confusion if she gets me. A state of uforia if I escape.

quote]

LMFAO!!!! :lol:

 

[leanin' H]

So I was talking with a rancher recently about maternal instincts in heifers. How many of you have first-calf heifers that won't take their calf? they're intensely interested in the calf but they kick at him, roll him when he tries to stand, beller at him, etc, but if you tie the heifer up and let the calf suck, she's generally fine after that? maybe you'd consider it "too much" maternal instinct.

I'm looking for a bit of informal research information. Can I get some input from y'all? These require VERY short answers - don't worry about the list!

1) Do you have heifers that display those actions/attitude? (yes/no; if "no" please explain what abnormal actions you see instead) Yes
2) How many heifers do you see like that per year? (percent or numerical value if less than 10 heifers/yr) 2%
3) Calve on grass or barn setting? Wire lot and calving shed
4) Do you use calving ease sires on your heifers? (yes/no) Yes
5) How closely do you check your heifers? (time frame each day)Every couple of hours in the daylight, every 2 hours after dark
6) Do you consider your herd in general (heifers and cows) to have strong maternal instincts (e.g. they might run a person or animal off if it came too close to their calf)? (yes/no) Kinda
7) Where would you place your herd on the "friendly/comfortable around people" to "wild range cow" scale? (1-10 where 1=friendly, 10=wild) 4
8.) What state are you in? Utah
9) Do you or would you keep a heifer in the herd that displayed those behaviors? I have in the past. She mellowed out after 20 minutes and loved her calf fine. Has had 3 more and never had a problem since.
10) Do you or would you retain (deliberately or accidently) a heifer calf out of a heifer that had displayed those types of behaviors? Probably, unless i learn otherwise. If she won't take her calf at all, she's gone. But the few i have had act the way you describe have straightened up.

Thanks, appreciate the input! If I get enough responses I'll try to post the results in the next few weeks for anyone who is curious.

 

[PATB]

So I was talking with a rancher recently about maternal instincts in heifers. How many of you have first-calf heifers that won't take their calf? they're intensely interested in the calf but they kick at him, roll him when he tries to stand, beller at him, etc, but if you tie the heifer up and let the calf suck, she's generally fine after that? maybe you'd consider it "too much" maternal instinct.

I'm looking for a bit of informal research information. Can I get some input from y'all? These require VERY short answers - don't worry about the list!

1) Do you have heifers that display those actions/attitude? (yes/no; if "no" please explain what abnormal actions you see instead)

We occaisionally get a heifer that will not mother her calf.

2) How many heifers do you see like that per year? (percent or numerical value if less than 10 heifers/yr)

one every couple of years.

3) Calve on grass or barn setting?

open field unless major storm forcasted/or in progress

4) Do you use calving ease sires on your heifers? (yes/no)

yes

5) How closely do you check your heifers? (time frame each day)

cows/heifers are check twice daily

6) Do you consider your herd in general (heifers and cows) to have strong maternal instincts (e.g. they might run a person or animal off if it came too close to their calf)? (yes/no)

The cows will run most animals or large birds out of their pasture. If they are aggressive towards humans they will not survive past weaning time. Cows are cheap, family members are irreplacable.

7) Where would you place your herd on the "friendly/comfortable around people" to "wild range cow" scale? (1-10 where 1=friendly, 10=wild)

1

8.) What state are you in?

Maine

Thanks, appreciate the input! If I get enough responses I'll try to post the results in the next few weeks for anyone who is curious.

[/i]

Heifers are beefed for poor disposition or hard handling.

 

[Nicky]

We have never had a home raised (or bought for that matter) heifer do this. However we've now sold 4 of the bought black cows for doing. It is something I will absolutely not stand for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I would not keep a heifer out a cow or heifer that did it. We calve in a 5 acre lot, only go in a barn if the weather is really bad or calving issues. The cows we culled for this we had to put in the barn and take the calves away. I don't see how anyone can say this is just maternal instinct. Like RSL said, if you are in a situation where they are calving out of sight, the calf is going to die....

Anyway, that's just my two cents worth

 

[Anonymous]

I've seen heifers go plumb nutso after having their first calf- taking the calf every time it moves or made a sound.... I've only had one- normally a real quiet heifer- that was so nutso she wouldn't even let me in the corral with her... I played rodeo clown while my son grabbed the calf...
We took the calf and fed it on the bottle and kept it in the barn for the night...The next morning we stuck it back in with her and she was just fine and the nicest mother you would want to see...

My old Vet said its often a hormonal imbalance that occurs in heifers and that after they have cleaned/sluffed the placenta they usually quiet right down...I did keep this heifer and she was plumb fine with the next calf-- altho I never kept any daughters out of her...

But I have seen a couple the neighbors had that never quieted down even after sluffing the placenta-- and were flat out calf killers...

 

[gcreekrch]

We have never had a home raised (or bought for that matter) heifer do this. However we've now sold 4 of the bought black cows for doing. It is something I will absolutely not stand for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I would not keep a heifer out a cow or heifer that did it. We calve in a 5 acre lot, only go in a barn if the weather is really bad or calving issues. The cows we culled for this we had to put in the barn and take the calves away. I don't see how anyone can say this is just maternal instinct. Like RSL said, if you are in a situation where they are calving out of sight, the calf is going to die....

Anyway, that's just my two cents worth

Nicky, are you sure it wasn't the white face you put on the calves that scared those poor ol' black cows?

I'll put up with a heifer doing it once but not the next time. We have had heifers of every creed and colour show this behaviour so I don't think it is strictly a breed thing. The worst we had was a Sim x Hereford. A little tranque for the worst ones and everybody's happy. :lol:

 

[Nicky]

We have never had a home raised (or bought for that matter) heifer do this. However we've now sold 4 of the bought black cows for doing. It is something I will absolutely not stand for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I would not keep a heifer out a cow or heifer that did it. We calve in a 5 acre lot, only go in a barn if the weather is really bad or calving issues. The cows we culled for this we had to put in the barn and take the calves away. I don't see how anyone can say this is just maternal instinct. Like RSL said, if you are in a situation where they are calving out of sight, the calf is going to die....

Anyway, that's just my two cents worth

Nicky, are you sure it wasn't the white face you put on the calves that scared those poor ol' black cows?

I'll put up with a heifer doing it once but not the next time. We have had heifers of every creed and colour show this behaviour so I don't think it is strictly a breed thing. The worst we had was a Sim x Hereford. A little tranque for the worst ones and everybody's happy. :lol:

Aren't you funny The first three did it with the black calves they came with in their bellies. I would maybe be more lenient with a heifer (probably not) than with a cow. These cows were 4,5, and 6 when we got them.