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bull calf getting the snip

  • 25-11-2010 10:52AM
    #1
    tedandbetty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55 ✭✭


    just wondering does anybody know what is the cost of getting a vet to give a bull calf the snip?
    i have a small few sucklers, but as everybody knows catching them in heat can be tricky.
    i was thinking of buying a dairy bull calf and getting the vet to give him the snip.
    anybody else do this and do they find it a good idea?


Comments

  • #2
    Pat the lad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 160 ✭✭Pat the lad


    It's the best way of getting cows in heat. You might be better getting a strong lump of a fresian bull - I find these to be the horny-est - a lad thats starting get ideas about himself and getting a eye for the ladies:D. Just becareful to leave a week or two between giving him the chop & letting him out with the cows, as he might still be able to put them in calf.


  • #3
    Muckit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,171 ✭✭✭✭Muckit


    Unless you've fierce small cows or an animal of a weanling there's no way they could physcially get them in calf


  • #4
    pakalasa
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,552 ✭✭✭pakalasa


    Have a read of this;

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055847987


  • #5
    reilig
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,401 ✭✭✭reilig


    Pat the lad wrote: »
    It's the best way of getting cows in heat. You might be better getting a strong lump of a fresian bull - I find these to be the horny-est - a lad thats starting get ideas about himself and getting a eye for the ladies:D. Just becareful to leave a week or two between giving him the chop & letting him out with the cows, as he might still be able to put them in calf.

    I know a neighbour who got a freisan bull calf off a pedigree Chaorlais cow because he let him out too soon :eek:


  • #6
    5live
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,438 ✭✭✭5live


    I did it two years ago and would not be without a vasectomised bull again. He tracks cows about 2 days before heat begins and in the bad weather 2 years ago he was the only thing that showed the cows in heat, they were that poor. You wont regret it. It cost E65 if i remember right


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  • #7
    pakalasa
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,552 ✭✭✭pakalasa


    I got one done last March. He worked a treat. Allow 6 wks before putting to the cows. It's not just heat detection, but the very presence of a bull will help bring them into heat quicker. I'm keeping mine for next year too. That way I will get rid of him before he's too big and might turn nasty. The weight he will put on too will pay for his keep.

    Get a chin-ball marker for him too. Remember that you will have to still keep a close eye on the cows to know the exact time of standing heat. Ai then ideally 12-14 hrs after standing heat. The bull will be trying to mount, and will have marked the cows, well before standing heat, so be carfull not to AI too early. I found this the biggest problem. I had a lot of repeats because of this, I think..:rolleyes:


  • #8
    tedandbetty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55 ✭✭tedandbetty


    thanks Guys, i think i will give it a go, i will not need him until next year, but i think i will call to a local dairyman and see if i can pick up a dairy bull calf at a reasonable price. one extra with my own weanlings would be little work.
    i will proberly even sell him off at the end of next year.


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