Mystery of the Flying Walenda/Houdini Bull

[bcarwell]

Okay folks, figure this one out.
I have a mini Hereford herd sire (about 650 lbs) I have separated from yearlings with an electrified high tensile fence. I am absolutely CONVINCED he is not getting through the fence and can't belive he's jumping it (about 48 inches- he's only about 42), which leaves the cattle guard.
Cattle guard is 4 1/2 inch pipe separated by 3 1/2 inch spaces and the ditch is about a foot deep. His hooves measure about 5 inches on the ground. Twice now I've found him with a smile on his face on the other side with the yearlings, smoking a cigarette.
I am going nuts and am tempted to camp out with a lawn chair, flashlight and a 12 pack to see how he does it. I simply cannot believe he can actually walk on top of the pipes and his hooves seem too big to fit between them. Old timers have told me they've seen cattle roll over cattle guards but I don't believe it.
Bottom line is: does anyone have any suggested fixes to try ? The answer is NOT to put a gate in, which defeats the purpose of the cattle guard and the nicety of not having to get out of the car. And I am afraid of digging a deeper ditch for fear if he is somehow walking between the pipes he'll break a foreleg and I'll have some tough beef sandwiches.
Any suggestions, clues ? He might make a good Vaudeville act if the circuit ever comes back...

Bob

 

[aczlan]

My wife (who is much more knowledgeable about cow stuff than me) says that she has seen cows shimmy along the edge of a cattle guard (between the "gate" in the ground and the gate posts at the ends) and bypass them that way.

Might be interesting to string a wire vertically on the gate posts (mounted to insulators) and hook it to the "hot" wire on the fence.

Aaron Z

 

[dcyrilc]

I have no idea what they cost, but it might be worth considering getting a game camera and putting it up watching the area you think he might be using.

I know our old Dexter bull was too smart for his own good.:laughing: He used to let himself out of the pasture so that he could go down the drive to another pasture and tease the Highland bull who was twice his size. The Highland was about 1800# to his 900#.

I always got the impression that the Highland was shaking his head, rolling his eyes, and laughing at the Dexter.

 

[texasjohn]

Bob,
He could be jumping it...I've seen cattle exceed their flatfooted height with a flatfooted jump.
He could be going thru it..I saw my bull go thru a very tight 5 wire barb fence, this pulled T post clips loose... on a smooth wire fence, might be hard to see where he went thru.
Not seeing your cattle guard, can't tell if he might be jumping it or scooting past it somehow.

I know... on that rocky ground you have, look for "sign" where he went thru...you may get lucky and find a hoof print where it shouldn't be... particularly if he is jumping...typically once a jump point is found, they tend to repeat at that location. If the yearlings are in heat, he'll hunt for a way.

 

[aczlan]

I know... on that rocky ground you have, look for "sign" where he went thru...you may get lucky and find a hoof print where it shouldn't be... particularly if he is jumping...typically once a jump point is found, they tend to repeat at that location. If the yearlings are in heat, he'll hunt for a way.

Dump a couple of bags of sand around the cattle guard to make a 2-3 foot wide strip of easily markable ground (if the ground is hardpacked). Then it will be obvious if he goes over or through the guard.

Aaron Z

 

[RobKinNH]

I second the game camera idea, I believe you can pick one up for around $100. It should make for an interesting video once you catch him in the act.

 

[bcarwell]

Thanks all for the suggestions !
I've got wings on the cattle guard, so pretty sure he isn't ooching around the posts.
Also doubt he is squeezing through the fence. Its a high tension fence (e.g. no barbed wire) strung to 250k psi but it does have some give, but is electrified and I've seen him jump back when he touches it with his nose. And I've not seen any staples pulled loose or telltale hoof marks indicating a jump.
I vaguely remember now that I think about it that I did see him once with one foreleg between the pipes but he backed out, so I guess he can fit his hoof through there, which is why I'm thinking he's walking across.
Game camera is a good idea but just don't think I'm quite ready to spring for one until I can't think of another way to catch him in the act. I do agree it would be a fun picture I'd be sure to post if I ever do it.
Sand is a good idea- reminds me of the old trick of putting flour around your porch to see if a snake is under it, leaving a streak as his belly slithers through it. I'm just afraid the cars and trucks might compact it such that I couldn't see hoof prints and they'd only show he was walking around by the guard.
Which is why I had thought of putting something like tar or paint or ..?.. in the guard pit which would show up on his hooves if he did it again. But that wouldn't help if he is actually walking ON the pipes but I would find that incredible as I barely can keep my balance doing it.
If he IS walking between the pipes does anyone have any suggestions as to what I might do to prevent it ? As I said I'm afraid of digging the ditch too deep for fear he'd break a foreleg. I thought maybe thin rebar or rope between each pipe that would have enough give that maybe he wouldn't push his hoof all the way down and give up.
He's one horny devil. Maybe he got tired of mixing it up through the fence with the neighbor's horned retired 3 giant rodeo bulls twice his size on his side of the guard to protect his older harem, and prefers the yearlings on the other side.

Bob

 

[ustmd]

My vote is for jumping. I have seen cows do some amazing jumps.

Recently, I saw a cow ~48 inches at the should "pop" (no real running start) a 54 inch electric fence to get into one of my neighbor's horse pastures.

 

[Soundguy]

Bob,
He could be jumping it...I've seen cattle exceed their flatfooted height with a flatfooted jump.
He could be going thru it..I saw my bull go thru a very tight 5 wire barb fence, this pulled T post clips loose... on a smooth wire fence, might be hard to see where he went thru.
Not seeing your cattle guard, can't tell if he might be jumping it or scooting past it somehow.

I know... on that rocky ground you have, look for "sign" where he went thru...you may get lucky and find a hoof print where it shouldn't be... particularly if he is jumping...typically once a jump point is found, they tend to repeat at that location. If the yearlings are in heat, he'll hunt for a way.

ditto that 1000% I had a large longhorn calf that was a lil less than 48" jump a 48" fence with EASE. Have had a angus jump a 4.5' fence when he was less than 4' ( well he used to be a 'he' anyway )

soundguy

 

[bcarwell]

Okay, you all have just about convinced me now he's a Flying Walenda and jumping. I've blocked off the guard temporarily and am waiting to see if I find him over there again in the other pasture, in which case that will definitively prove it. Good news is I have enough room on the fence posts above the top wire to add another wire or two. Still would love to see him do it and may get my wish next time the yearlings are in heat.

Bob