Embedded Files
Range cattle typically live in cow–calf groups, while mature males (bulls) are often kept separate except during the breeding season.
Range cattle typically live in cow–calf groups, while mature males (bulls) are often kept separate except during the breeding season.
Social groups are influenced by:
Social groups are influenced by:
- Presence of calves
- Presence of calves
- Seasonal breeding patterns
- Seasonal breeding patterns
- Management practices (e.g., dairy vs. beef systems)
- Management practices (e.g., dairy vs. beef systems)
Dominance and Hierarchy
Dominance and Hierarchy
Cattle establish a dominance hierarchy based on several factors:
Cattle establish a dominance hierarchy based on several factors:
- Age – older animals tend to rank higher
- Age – older animals tend to rank higher
- Sex – males generally outrank females
- Sex – males generally outrank females
- Body weight and size
- Body weight and size
- Presence of horns
- Presence of horns
- Territorial behavior
- Territorial behavior
- Breed differences
- Breed differences
- Heavier dairy breeds dominate lighter dairy breeds
- Heavier dairy breeds dominate lighter dairy breeds
- Lighter beef breeds dominate heavier beef breeds
- Lighter beef breeds dominate heavier beef breeds
Interestingly, when a heavier, older cow is introduced into an established group, she often becomes subordinate to long‑standing members, showing the importance of group familiarity.
Interestingly, when a heavier, older cow is introduced into an established group, she often becomes subordinate to long‑standing members, showing the importance of group familiarity.
In large herds, dominance relationships can form triangular patterns rather than a perfect linear hierarchy.
In large herds, dominance relationships can form triangular patterns rather than a perfect linear hierarchy.
In dairy herds, where cows are frequently added or removed, the hierarchy is fluid and constantly shifting.
In dairy herds, where cows are frequently added or removed, the hierarchy is fluid and constantly shifting.
Once a hierarchy stabilizes, overt aggression decreases, reducing stress and injury.
Once a hierarchy stabilizes, overt aggression decreases, reducing stress and injury.
Communication:
Communication:
Cattle vocal communication is not well understood, but several vocalizations are recognized:
Cattle vocal communication is not well understood, but several vocalizations are recognized:
- Moo / call / hoot – used by distressed cows or calves
- Moo / call / hoot – used by distressed cows or calves
- Roar – produced by aggressive bulls
- Roar – produced by aggressive bulls
- “Menh” – a high‑intensity call from hungry calves
- “Menh” – a high‑intensity call from hungry calves
These vocalizations help maintain contact, signal distress, and coordinate social interactions.
These vocalizations help maintain contact, signal distress, and coordinate social interactions.
Reproductive Behavior and Estrus
Reproductive Behavior and Estrus
Under natural conditions, cows cycle year‑round, with:
Under natural conditions, cows cycle year‑round, with:
- Peak estrous activity: May–July
- Peak estrous activity: May–July
- Lowest activity: December–February
- Lowest activity: December–February
The estrus (heat) period lasts 18–24 hours, usually beginning in the evening.
The estrus (heat) period lasts 18–24 hours, usually beginning in the evening.
Common estrous behaviors
Common estrous behaviors
- Reduced appetite
- Reduced appetite
- Increased movement
- Increased movement
- Flehmen response
- Flehmen response
- Standing behind another cow and resting the chin on her back
- Standing behind another cow and resting the chin on her back
- Increased licking and sniffing
- Increased licking and sniffing
- More aggression and mounting
- More aggression and mounting
Because artificial insemination is common in dairy cattle, heat detection is essential. Methods include:
Because artificial insemination is common in dairy cattle, heat detection is essential. Methods include:
- Back-mounted dyes that transfer color during mounting
- Back-mounted dyes that transfer color during mounting
- Pedometers to detect increased activity
- Pedometers to detect increased activity
- Teaser bulls on some farms
- Teaser bulls on some farms
Bull behavior
Bull behavior
On pasture, bulls:
On pasture, bulls:
- Graze near proestrous cows
- Graze near proestrous cows
- Stand head‑to‑head or rest their head on the cow’s back
- Stand head‑to‑head or rest their head on the cow’s back
- Attempt mounting as estrus progresses
- Attempt mounting as estrus progresses
- Lick the vulva and show flehmen
- Lick the vulva and show flehmen
Calving and Maternal Behavior
Calving and Maternal Behavior
Calving usually occurs at night on pasture.
Calving usually occurs at night on pasture.
The calf typically suckles within 3 hours of birth.
The calf typically suckles within 3 hours of birth.
Early calf behavior
Early calf behavior
- Stays close to the dam
- Stays close to the dam
- Relies heavily on maternal care
- Relies heavily on maternal care
- Forms strong bonds that persist even after the next calf is born
- Forms strong bonds that persist even after the next calf is born
Weaning and juvenile social behavior
Weaning and juvenile social behavior
- Calves begin forming unstable peer groups at 4–6 months
- Calves begin forming unstable peer groups at 4–6 months
- On pasture:
- On pasture:
- Heifers are weaned at ~8 months
- Heifers are weaned at ~8 months
- Bull calves at ~11 months
- Bull calves at ~11 months
Social status increases with age, and stable social relationships do not fully form until after 1 year of age.
Social status increases with age, and stable social relationships do not fully form until after 1 year of age.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse