Help! I have accidentally acquired a pet BULL!

paddy's_mum

I really don't want to burst your bubble, but you are getting into very deep water here, in my opinion.

There is an absolute encyclopedia's worth of cattle keeping regulations in the UK, all of which you MUST abide by or face severe penalties for failing to act properly. Think BSE, foot-and-mouth to realise just how stringent the laws are, whether you have a herd of cattle or just this one.

You may want to get onto the Defra website for more information and I believe that It's Not Easy Being Green has a section on livestock, as well as some very experienced livestock people on their chat forum.

Sorry to be the bearer of potentially upsetting news but maybe forewarned is forearmed and who needs "the man from the Ministry" knocking on your door bright and early one morning!

MortgageMamma

Hi All

Phew! Thanks so much for all of your help (and jokes)

Have been for a coffee with the farmers wife this morning and she said they will get me on track with things. We have fields so we are ok on that count. We have a large secure outbuilding for shelter in the winter that we can empty and convert into a stable of sorts. He is 14 months old so not fully grown yet - and he eats some pellet thingys which I can just buy from the farm so thats OK. He hasnt been castrated but apparently they have never known a bull with such an even temperment. Seriously you can hug him and stroke him and everything.

Hubby (now he has calmed down) is laughing saying a bull is the perfect pet for someone with a similar temperment and next time I do something bad he will throw me in the field in my red pyjamas.

Once we are used to him we will get a cow for company, but obviously will have him castrated, don't want to be running a farm as well as a mortgage brokerage!

I'm actually looking forward to learning something new now, thanks for the weblink whoever it was, will read through that this afternoon - I don't think we will be delaying the inevitable, I'm very stubborn and strong willed when I want to do something

Addiscomber

Just for starters you will need to get a holding number from DEFRA.

Jet

I grew up on a farm and let me just say that Bull's should be given the utmost respect. They are not pets, and in my opinion should not be treated as so.

You only have to read the farming press to read how many farmers get seriously injured or killed by Bulls. I was never allowed to go into a field when the Bull was out.

Like humans, some do have better temperaments than others, but they can "turn" for no reason whatsover. And remember he is not fully grown yet.

Aside from the regulations and care needed for such an animal - I would seriously have a re-think.

I don't wish to frighten you, but Bulls' are not horses and do not have the same temperament.

MortgageMamma

Don't worry I'm not planning on letting the kids loose around him, I need to go back up to the farm and find out exactly what he is and the breed. I've got to say he is pretty small for a bull....

MortgageMamma

Apparently, he has been castrated and he is a cross between a hereford and a red poll. Apparently herefords are renowned for their unusual good natures. Now I have the "breed" I should be able to do a search on google tonight

gemmaj

just to say ... good luck! :T

Amanda65

Sorry - can't be any help but this made me laugh so much> I couldn't beelive my eyes when I saw the thread header and thoguh you must have mis-typed and accidently bought a dangerous dog lol!

Labman_2

Has to be 'Post of the Month'!

daphne_descends

I think this thread is lovely. Obviously you're going to have some hard work ahead, but it sounds very rewarding. Best of luck to you