Is my cow throwing a tantrum?

2 posts

Member for

10 years 1 month
Last seen: 02/28/2014 - 14:05
Joined: 02/27/2014 - 18:45

Is my cow throwing a tantrum?

Hi all,

i recently (about 2 weeks ago) got a cow for my backyard (almost 2 acres).  She's a 14 mo miniature Galloway (we think). She has adapted quite well, and seems to like me. She lets me pat her head, neck, tummy, back and front legs. I haven't gotten to her back legs yet. 

She is new to her paddock (only 2 days in there) and I bribed her with food down to the back of the paddock where she hadn't explored yet. She followed me down happily (as  did the chooks) and was happy munching the grass when I left her. On my way back I picked up the bucket that I fed her pollard in to put it away. 

She came running after me when I was half way back, and bucked before stopping in front of me and nosing in the pollard bucket. When there was nothing in there she again ran around bucking and nosed in the bucket again, pushing at me at the same time. I made a cranky no sound and she danced backwards. Then I tossed the bucket away and made my way out of the paddock. She then proceeded to charge the chickens a few times, then went into the chicken coop and wouldn't come out. My husband ended up going in behind her and clapping his hands. She then came out and went straight to the pile of grassy hay I had put out for her.

She has since calmed down , but I didn't give her any pollard tonight, as it seemed to me like she was throwing a tantrum because I didn't give her enough (the bribe was only half what she normally gets morning and night, but since it was only 3 in the afternoon it was only a small bribe. 

My question is why did she behave that way and what can I do to stop it happening again. I wasn't exactly scared of her, but not knowing what she was doing did make me a little anxious, and I'm not willing to let my kids in to feed her if she might hurt them. 

Thanks in advance for any help. 

Last seen: 09/17/2019 - 18:07
Joined: 11/23/2011 - 09:38

Hi Beajai,

Cattle are fast learners and she has quickly realised that the yummy stuff comes in a bucket. I have had the same experience with very large Limousin bull who mugged me to get the bucket I had accidentally left in his yard. He had gotten used to being given feed lot mix while he was in the yard to recover from from being horned by one of the cows. I learned my lesson and have never made that mistake again. The remedy for this is to not take the bucket into her yard at all. Put the feeding trough or dish near the fence so that you can tip the feed into it from your side of the fence. Livestock have two basic and powerful instincts, eating and breeding. If they think food is in the bucket they will do anything to get it and will shove you out of the way to do so, without even thinking. There is no malice in it, it is just instinct and it doesn't mean that she doesn't like you. Secondly, it is not a good idea to let children be around livestock without adult supervision at all times. As I have said on this forum before, cattle, even miniature ones, are always many times more powerful weight for weight, than humans and can, unintentionally hurt humans. I note you said your husband got behind her to shoo her out of the chook pen: this is not a good thing to do, as she coud have kicked him with pretty serious consequences. Always stand to the side of cattle and give them a swift smack on the rear to get them to move.

You said you are feeding her pollard again it is not suitable to be fed alone as it contains too much phophorus. Feed should have a balance of 2 calcium to 1 phophorus.Pollard contains .10% calcium to .70% phosporus. This can eventually cause kidney stones. I would suggest changing her over to a good all round feed such as hobby mix which can be bought in 20kg bags from the feed store.

Hope some of this is useful to you.

cheers,

Barb     

Our Sponsors

  •  
  • Rivendell finance

Our Partners

  •  Rivendell finance