A Short Guide for Managing Your Dairy Bull

Importance of Care Given To Bull:

Bull is said to be “Half the Herd”. It is because the off-springs receive fifty per cent inheritance from the bull. All the
necessary care to grow properly and attain full size. Any set back to its care and feeding in early period of growth will
affect the puberty of the bull. To retain the milking qualities at a uniform and satisfactory level the use of a proponent
bull is necessary. Any pure bred bull of good inheritance will at least maintain if not increase the standard of a herd of
average type.

Age of Separation of Bull Calves:

To keep female calves growing properly we must separate bull calves at 6 months age.

Feeding of Growing Bull:

The ration of a young growing bull must contain 12 to 15% DCP and 70% TDN (NRC), minerals and vitamins. Legume
hay may be given @ 1 kg per 100 kg body weight. A growing bull may also be given concentrates 1.5 kg to 2 kg
depending, upon breed and size. The amount of roughage will depend upon its quality and size of a bull. Young bull must
receive sufficient greens to meet the needs of vit. A, deficiency of which may lead to poor quality semen production. Bull
ration must also contain sufficient minerals.
• Bull in service should be neither fat nor thin.
• If the roughages include legumes then concentrate containing 10% DCP may be given.
• Bulls are not usually pastured because of difficulty in controlling them.
• Dry matter may be given @ 2 kg/100 kg live weight.
• Hay may also be fed to bulls @ 1 kg/100 kg of body weight (Branton et al, 1947).
• The requirements of nutrients as per the feeding standards of NRC (1971) will help in determining the ration of
bulls (Table 21.1).
Note: Reported significant increase in live sperms and decrease in abnormalities of sperms in semen of bulls given
by-pass protein.

HANDLING THE BULL

Ringing of Bull:
For convenience in handling and protection from a vicious bull, a nose ring of convenient size of 6 cm diameter should
be fixed at the age of 1 year. This may be replaced by a ring of about 10 cm diameter in older bull of over 2 years age.
Ring should be fitted using a sterile trocar canula. Nose ring should be of strong non-rusting metal of uniform thickness
(Fig. 21.1).

Training the Bull:

A bull staff should be used in leading a bull (Fig. 21.2). In case he is regularly tied in the pen a strong halter may be used.
Bull should be trained at an early age as they can safely be handled and are easily teachable at this age.
HOBBLING
If the animal is especially vicious, it is often advisable to hobble him when handling, so that if he starts to run or attack
he can be thrown to his knees. To hobble the bull, put a rope or band around his body just behind the front legs. Have a
loop or ring on this rope or band on either side of his body.

THROWING OR CASTING
It may be necessary at times to throw and tie a bull. This can be done with an inch rope — preferably cotton, which is
softer and more pliable than hemp. The rope should be 40 to 50 feet long, depending on the size of the animal.

STOCKS
Stocks are especially useful for holding bulls for dehorning, trimming the feet, and some other operations. They are
strongly built crates into which the animals are led, and securely tied. They should be well bolted, 9 feet long and 6 feet
high, with an inside width of 2 feet 4 inches. A heavy iron ring, to which the bull may be tied, is bolted to the floor
about 2% feet in front of the stanchion. A large or a small animal can be accommodated by shifting a heavy timber in
slots made at the rear for that purpose.

TRIMMING THE FEET

Bulls kept in close quarters with little exercise frequently develop long hoofs. This condition is not only unsightfy, but
may become so painful that the bull cannot stand or walk squarely. Then, too, it brings on various other foot troubles,
such as foul foot and rot. The hoofs should be trimmed, or they will break off or disfigure the animal's feet. Hoofs of
young animals often can be trimmed with a long-handled chisel, while the animal is standing on a hard dirt or plank
floor. The sole and the cleft between the claws cannot be got at in this way, however, and often these parts cause the
most trouble. In that event it may be necessary to throw and tie the animal.

TRAINING TRIMMING AND POLISHING HORNS

If bulls have not been dehorned as calves it is often desirable to train the horns in order to get the shape typical of the
breed. If it seems desirable to trim and polish the horns, this can be done with a rasp, pieces of glass, and fine sand
paper. Use the rasp first to smooth off the dead tissue and uneven places. Then scrape the rough spots with the edges of
freshly broken glass. Always scrape horn with the grain, not across. With fine sandpaper, make the horn smooth and
ready for polishing. Apply linseed oil and pumice stone, or metal polish, and polish with flannel cloth or chamois skin.

Selection of Bull:
Following points should be looked into for selecting a dairy bull:
(A) Age:
1. There is no significant difference in prepotencies between mature bulls and young ones.
2. A young bull being easier to handle is generally preferred by an average dairy farmer.
3. Possibility of proving a bull occurs when he is used at an early age.
4. Compared to young bull an aged one is an uncertain breeder.
5. A young bull proved at an early age has all his life to be used for a longer period to improve the herd.
(B) Breed:
1. The bull selected should be true to the breed to which cow belongs, because bull is half the herd.
2. Irrespective of type of herd viz. grades, cross bred, pure bred, it is advisable to use pure bred bulls.
3. Crossing breeds with expectation of achieving good results is possible provided the foundation stock is kept pure bred
and regularly exploited.
(C) Type and Dairy Conformation:
1. Generally cows of superior dairy conformation are also better producers; therefore the type and conformation of bull
is important.
2. It is also important from the viewpoint of objective of purchasers.
3. It is unwise to make decision on this point alone because milk production is foundation of glands, therefore milk
production along with body type and conformation is necessary while selection of dam of bull is reported in the bull
pedigree of the bull.
(D) Pedigree:
1. Dam of the bull should be outstanding and typical of her family.
2. Mother of bull should be of proper size, type and conformation and of satisfactory record of milk producing ability.
3. Dam of the bull should not be an unusual producer in a family of ordinary individuals, because she would possibly
transmit characters nearer to the average of her family.
4. Pedigree is not guarantee of excellence.
(E) Health:
Bull to be selected must be free from contagious diseases to prevent infections to the cows.
(f) Appearance:
Bull should have attractive carriage, masculine look, and wide chest, light barrel, big scrotum, active look, defect free
limbs and free from any crypt orchid or orchids condition.
(G) Off-springs Characters:
1. It is the best method to find the breeding worth of bulls provided he has many daughters. The method is complete to
know what the animal “actually is”.
2. Dairyman of highly developed herd must use a bull which has already demonstrated his ability to transmit desired dairy
characters to his daughters. For this sire indices give an estimate of .his breeding worth.
Selection of sires can be made by evaluating their performance by determining the size-index. It is the mathematical
expression of the probable transmitting ability of a sire.

Service from Bull:

1. Crossbred bull of 1.5 to 2 years may be used at one service per week, however zebu bulls mature late.
2. Older bulls of 2.5 years or more age may be used at two services per week.
3. Higher ‘frequency of ejaculation has very little or no effect on rate of sperm formation but increases the reaction time.
4. If bull is not used for few weeks then first ejaculate should be discarded due to large numbers of dead spermatozoa.

Bull Housing:
If bulls are to be kept in good breeding condition they should be properly housed, and they must get exercise. It is poor
practice to compel a bull to f stand in a small stall constantly without exercise. it may ruin him as a breeder, and it may
make him vicious. The main things to be considered in providing quarters are: (1) Safety and ease in handling the bull;
(2) a comfortable stable or shed to protect him from the weather; and (3) some means of exercise.
Two systems:
(i) Bull running with herd loose on pastures.
(ii) Bull kept in pen.

(i) The first system of housing the bull is not to be recommended for following reasons:
(a) Provides opportunity for the bull to attack person’s unaware and hence dangerous practice.
(b) Records of breeding of cows cannot be maintained.
(c) For lack of records in breeding herd, bull cannot be managed to best advantages.
(d) Bull becomes uncertain breeder which may also lead to impotency.
(e) Heifer and cows may be served younger or sooner after calving.

(ii) In the second system which is often used following points need attention:
(a) We must provide ample space for bull pen (size may be 12′ x 12′ or an area of 140 to 150 sq. ft) or 3.65 x 3.65 m.
(b) Walls of bull pen—4.5 to 5′ high or 1.5 m.
(c) Door of bull pen—2.1 m high and 1.5 m wide.
(d) Bull pen should be conveniently located near the cow shed. Strict confinement of bull is not good.
(e) Bull pen must be properly bedded with straw, ventilated, dry and kept clean.
(f) Pen should have ample shade to protect from intense sunlight and good roof to protect from cold and rain.
(g) It should have such a provision of food and water whereby bull may be handled for these without any danger from
bull.

Bull Calf of a Heifer or Cow:

Bull from a cow is preferred over a bull calf of a heifer because the previous records of production is available in case of
a dam but heifer did not have an opportunity to show her performance of productivity, although there is no reason why a
bull of a heifer will not be as proponent as from a dam.

Exercising a Bull:
Following are the methods for exercising a dairy bull:
1. A ring is placed on the overhead cable in the pen, from which chain hangs. The bull may be tied to this chain which
allows bull to walk upto the length of cable.
2. Bulls may be exercised by use of specially constructed bull exerciser. Bulls in this walk at a slow pace as long as desired
or for 12 to 15 minutes.
3. Two dehorned bulls may be kept together in a suitable open paddock which is advantageous because they take more
exercise compared to when confined alone.
4. In a study Mehsana buffalo bulls subjected to forced exercise presented improvement in semen quality. There was
significant increase in live sperms and decrease in the total sperm abnormalities (Parjapati et al. 1998).
Importance:
1. To keep normal appetite.
2. Helps to keep bull in good health.
3. To remove cramped quarters or stiffness of limbs.
4. Exercise helps to retain bulls breeding power.
Care:
1. Sudden and forced exercise may result into impaired semen production.
2. It is not easy to harness buffalo bull in exerciser.
3. Strenuous exercise specially under inclement weather must be avoided.

Care in Handling of Vicious Bull:

To prevent bull becoming vicious following care must be taken:
(a) Sufficient exercise.
(b) Regular handling or leading the bull using a bull staff and strong halters.
(c) Avoiding solitary confinement.
(d) Proper location of bull pen so that he can see other cattle.
(e) Avoiding unnecessary teasing of bull.
(f) Regularity of food supply be maintained.

Miscellaneous Care:
1. Brushing and grooming is advisable in morning hours.
2. Bulls must be weighed monthly.
3. Hair on sheath must be clipped for clean semen production.
4. Oil massage to buffalo bulls in winter appears to have beneficial effect on spermatogenesis.
5. Buffalo bulls may be given bath twice daily in summer.
Disposal of Bull:
Bulls upto 10 to 11 years of age are used for service. After 11 years age they become uncertain breeders, therefore older
bull should be disposed off and sold.

Physical Examination
Before inducting a new bull at the sperm station, a thorough physical examination shall be conducted by Veterinarian to
ensure that the bull does not display clinical symptom(s) of any Infection or defects any contagious disease. Specific tests
may also be conducted for genetically transmitted diseases like Bovine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency and Citrullinemia.

Isolation
New bulls shall be housed separately from (distance of 1 km) the facilities occupied by resident bulls and equipment used
in handling, feeding & cleaning of bulls shall not be shared between isolated and resident herds.

Diagnostic Tests
During quarantine period the bulls would undergo testing against TB, JD, and Brucellosis and shall be vaccinated against
FMD, HS, BQ, Theileriosis & Anthrax. However, vaccinations against bacterial diseases shall be done only if there is an
outbreak. Once the quarantine period is over, all these bulls would be introduced to the resident herd.

FENCING
The fence should be 5 to 6 feet high or too high for him to jump over. Solid fences which obstruct bull views are not
advisable, except with extremely vicious bulls. Bulls usually are more contented if they can see beyond the fence. If the
fence is solid, it is a good plan to make a mound of earth near the center of the enclosure high enough so the bull can
see outside. The fencing materials are woven wire, barbed wire, planks, rails, and iron pipe. If barbed wire is used put
the posts not more than 8 to 10 feet apart, stretch the wire tight, and space the strands 8 to 12 inches apart. Five-foot
heavy woven-wire fencing, with one or two strands of barbed wire on top, makes a good, durable fence.

MEANS OF EXERCISE
Many bulls, after their value has been proved, are found to be sterile or slow breeders, which may be due largely to
close confinement and lack of activity. The pen should be large enough to permit the bull to take plenty of exercise.
Regular exercise helps materially to keep bulls in vigorous condition. But many bulls, even when they have a roomy
yard or pasture, are inclined to be lazy and sluggish and do not stir about enough. It may be necessary to exercise the
sluggish bull or induce him to exercise himself, and various methods have been devised for the purpose.

FERTILITY
A study of the breeding records of 20 bulls (proved sires) all over 5 years of age, owned by the Bureau of Dairy
industry, including a total of 2,982 services to fertile cows, showed that there was a trend toward lower average fertility
of the sires as the number of services per month increased. The average breeding efficiency or fertility of the sires, as
measured by the percentage of services to fertile cows that resulted in conceptions, was 47.2 percent for the months
when 1 to 3 services occurred, as compared with 33 percent for the months when 10 or more services were permitted.
Also, the average efficiency decreased as the amount of service for the preceding month increased.

FERTILITY EXAMINATION
The first indication of low fertility in a bull is his failure to get cows with calf. If only one or two cows fail to conceive,
then its problem with cows. However, if several cows fail to conceive after services and if it is reasonably certain that
there is no epidemic of breeding trouble among the cows, the bull's fertility is likely to be at fault. In this event it would
be advisable to have his semen examined under a microscope to check the number, form, and motility of the sperms. A
semen sample may be obtained from the vagina of a cow just after she is bred or by the use of an artificial vagina.

ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION
If the proper care and technique are exercised, semen can be collected, kept for several days, and successfully. This
should extend the use of a valuable sire to a much greater extent than if natural matings are used. Then, too, many
valuable sires, because of age or because they are crippled, are unable to perform natural service, in which event
artificial insemination can be practiced. It has also been demonstrated that semen can be transported by airplane to
distant points for artificial insemination.

KEEPING RECORDS
A breeding record of the bull should be kept. It enables the breeder to know when to expect calves. With registered
animals, it is necessary to know the exact service date. A gestation table is of assistance in calculating the time of
calving. The average gestation period is 283 days. If a gestation table is not at hand, a good plan is to count back 3
months from the date of service and add 10 days. Thus, if a cow is bred on February 4, by counting back 3 months and
adding 10 days, we find that the calving day will fall about November 14.