The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Cattle => Topic started by: Templelands on May 28, 2014, 03:47:18 pm

Title: Its a boy...
Post by: Templelands on May 28, 2014, 03:47:18 pm
Well our second Shetland calved yesterday without any trouble - and gave us her second bull calf in a row.
 
Looks very similar to the Heifer born a few days ago.
 
The bands have been ordered - not looking forward to doing that lol
Title: Re: Its a boy...
Post by: Mammyshaz on May 28, 2014, 06:09:26 pm
Congratulations. Looks like he found the milk bar ok  :D
Title: Re: Its a boy...
Post by: Rosemary on May 28, 2014, 07:43:29 pm
Might be worth contacting SCBA about the bull before you do the deed. There's just ben a discussion via the email system they use - folk looking for 2013 born bulls but not able to get them because they're all castrated.

Barry or Paddy will be able to tell you if your boy is genetically worth keeping entire.

My bull calf isn't because he's got Boris and Rasmie, but your's might be. If fact, if he is, I might be interested in him at weaning as I need a new bull for 2015  :)
Title: Re: Its a boy...
Post by: twizzel on May 28, 2014, 10:23:05 pm
We had 8 bull calves in a row at one point earlier this year when our new bull's first calves were hitting the ground, we were beginning to get a bit worried but had a string of 5 heifer calves now to even things up!
Title: Re: Its a boy...
Post by: Templelands on May 29, 2014, 03:34:51 pm
Paddy is our best friend lol - Our Cow Kay has lots of Rasmie in her and one instance of Boris too. Although the father had none of either - this little guy is a meat only dude.
 
Same for the bull calf we had last year!
Title: Re: Its a boy...
Post by: Rosemary on May 29, 2014, 04:01:17 pm
Paddy is our best friend lol - Our Cow Kay has lots of Rasmie in her and one instance of Boris too. Although the father had none of either - this little guy is a meat only dude.
 
Same for the bull calf we had last year!

Ah well - worth a try. Our Hamish is for the freezer too.