A single cow with friend that's going to freezer?

[Ellie May]

I have a pet midsize mini Aberdeen Angus heifer that I got as a yearling and is now 18 months. (don't shoot me, I know they are herd animals but as a pet, she will also live a LOT longer than your average cow, so, trade off)

Very friendly and seems quite content. Up until now I have been able to put her in my neighbor's 2 acre pasture daily, but that's come to an end and now she's in a smaller dry lot, and I have a couple of mini sheep and mini donkeys around too. She misses going over to the pasture daily, and I think she's getting bored.

Have a neighbor that has an Angus heifer about the same age that wlll be going to the freezer in a couple of months. My question is, if I take my girl over there for companionship, is she going to be better off for a couple of months, or when that cow is gone, she will be more discontented being a single cow again?

I know there's no hard and fast answers to this but wondering if what other's experiences might be.

Thanks

 

[BrahmerQueen]

I would keep her in the dry lot so she can get used to the other animals.

 

[Ellie May]

She’s very used to the other animals, just no cow friends.

 

[Alaskan]

I think a temporary cow companion will make things worse.

 

[secuono]

She'll probably...have a cow...when taken away from her new bovine buddy.
Better to leave her in the dry lot.

 

[Ellie May]

Yes that’s the kind of input I was looking for, and that’s my thought as well.

 

[Spokeless Wheel]

I have a pet midsize mini Aberdeen Angus heifer that I got as a yearling and is now 18 months. (don't shoot me, I know they are herd animals but as a pet, she will also live a LOT longer than your average cow, so, trade off)

Very friendly and seems quite content. Up until now I have been able to put her in my neighbor's 2 acre pasture daily, but that's come to an end and now she's in a smaller dry lot, and I have a couple of mini sheep and mini donkeys around too. She misses going over to the pasture daily, and I think she's getting bored.

Have a neighbor that has an Angus heifer about the same age that wlll be going to the freezer in a couple of months. My question is, if I take my girl over there for companionship, is she going to be better off for a couple of months, or when that cow is gone, she will be more discontented being a single cow again?

I know there's no hard and fast answers to this but wondering if what other's experiences might be.

Thanks

I bought Stella a Jersey cow 14 years ago. She was 2 years old and I kept her with my horses and goats on 4 acres without any problems. Three years ago I moved to a large farm in Kentucky and bought a few more cattle. The first one Sadie was a miniature and the two animals bonded immediately. They can still be seen hanging out licking each other's faces. I would leave your heifer with the mini sheep and donkeys until you decide to get another bovine buddy for her. I couldn't think of separating Stella & Sadie now. It would break their hearts.