am I in over my head - RE: mini cow

[slackwater]

The seller is taking over a project herd from his dad who recently passed away. He's not really sure of the lineage of any but the herefords. So...they've just been left out to do their own thing, basically.

I had the option of a calf, but chose this one...I know, stupid decision

He castrated it *for me*, but now, honestly, I'm very' terrified. I get cold and clammy just imagining him getting out and not knowing what to do. My horse experience does not seem to apply. Granted, I don't have experience w/stallions. Maybe, if I did, then it would seem to apply.

I really think I made the wrong decision. I just don't know how to back out. Do I say "we really need to re-visit the paid board option" and then possibly pick up a calf next year?

 

[Katy]

Quote:
If you're that scared of getting him, then talk to the guy. Cattle do and will get out....it's part of having them and they are sometimes not very cooperative....even my very tame herd.....when they get a taste of what's on the other side of the fence. The fact that he castrated it at your request probably is not going to help on you wanting to back out on the deal.

 

[joedie]

I'd just be honest with the seller. I certainly wouldn't want to sell one of my cows if I knew the buyer had remorse and was afraid of it. Just be up front and tell him you think you might have made a mistake in choosing this particular one and does he have any thing younger thats halter broke? or pursue the board issue. I'd at least give it a try. Good Luck!

 

[arabianequine]

Not your question I know but why raise a mini for meat/beef.....get a angus or other beef calf bottle baby and it will be ready for butcher in a year....not worth buying it then putting in more feed and money time for a little beef....jmo.

 

[danischi24]

There is another option...many many people slaughter at 12-18 months. You could take him right to the slaughter house & would have awesome grass fed beef for this year. Then you can get a calf at the same time-maybe the one you turned down-though make sure it drinks milk from a bottle/bucket or it will be wild too. It will be ready to slaughter about the time this beef runs out

 

[danischi24]

Oh & for the love of Mike, snip the calf before 6 months & halter train it.

 

[Kelly G]

Quote:
Hey! This is a great idea!!

Either way....butcher now, or cancel sale....don't stress - it's not worth it. The likllihood is the seller will understand.

 

[greathorse]

I think the odds of one steer staying in an electric fence situation is near zero. You would have better luck with a bunch of them as they would have the herd to hang with and would likely check the perimeter out of curiosity more than fear and uneasiness. I would for sure put him in the round pen, I am not of the mind that a few days without cover will hurt your animal.

Cattle escape no doubt about it. One is sort of asking for trouble unless you have a good corral.

My father seemed to buy his share of renegade cattle and we went to town more than once and gathered them out of someone's garden. LOL

Good luck

 

[babyblue]

I agree, the farmer that rents the feilds from us has major issues getting dairy cows to not freak out and run the electric fences. butcher this guy now and buy a baby or two to bottle feed. you will be much happier with the results.

 

[CedarRidgeChicks]

Agreed..cows are escape artist..even the bucket fed ones..but usually they are easier to capture. We have raised many jersey calves..I also agree..take him straight to the butcher..and I also wonder why a mini?..you will lose 40-50% of the gross weight at least.

Years ago we had 3 bottle calves, all bulls-Jersey..plans were to sell 2 butcher 1..which we did; we castrated them but didn't dub the horns, one of them learned how to use his horns t o snap two of the five strands of barbed wire and step through. It became a game and he went to the butcher several months early.

If you have the time, desire and room try a bottle/bucket calf..it will teach you a lot about cows and how they think and behave..I have always enjoyed it..except in the snow.