Meet Carlos the Fourth. He is a 6 month old Dexter Bull. And he arrived yesterday at the farm.
He will never be a big bull but he sure will be a sturdy one. He is long legged, bright, well trained and very friendly (which may or may not be a good thing in a bull). He is in a side pen in the West Barn and in a few days he will go out to meet Aunty Del and Queenies Bobby through a gate and if all goes well he can go out with them by the end of the week.
His mother is a very good milk cow giving 3 gallons of milk a day which is pretty good for a Dexter, he is tested as A2A2 so hopefully if he produces daughters they will have A2 milk. A2 milk is widely discussed as being easier to digest and has other health benefits that I am still researching. Many people with an intolerance to milk find it easier to drink A2 milk.
All goats milk is A2.
New Zealand has been a leader in the field of A2 milk research and there has been a lot of work done at home to increase the numbers of A2 carriers in the big herds. But it is a complicated discussion at best. Most big herds are A1. All the modern Holsteins are A1. 
Carlos IV has some growing to do before he starts work but I like the idea of breeding Dexters and if he can have a go at covering the other cows I would be grateful. The Dexter heifer Alex, who is bred already, arrives on Wednesday.
Manu the Hereford boar is deeply underwhelmed by his new flat mate. As long as he does not touch Manu’s vegetables all will be well in that department also. 
This boar is NOT being overfed – he is a big fella though still very good with me.
When I feed him I go into his pen and pick up bowls and scratch him around a bit while he is eating, I have done this every day since he arrived so he knows who I am and that I am the boss and bringer of food. No-one else is allowed in the pen with him.
But with boars and bulls one goes on full alert if there is an animal in heat around. This is why the boys are over in their own barn so I can maintain some semblance of control. And choose when I put animals together. It is easier on ones fences that way! 
These will both be hefty animals – I want no surprises. But I do want babies. He will probably come over and run with the girls for a few months in the summer.
I wish I could leave Aunty Del over with Lady Astor at the home farm but Aunty will not leave Lady’ s udder alone. And Lady has a very nice udder that we do not want damaged. This is why Aunty is in the boys barn for a while. She might be bred you know – I have seen no untoward behaviour.
It is possible that I will get my wish and milk three cows next summer. Maybe.
I hope you have a lovely day!
Love your friend
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
42 responses to “In a Bulls Eye”
Such a handsome boy!!
I learn something every day from your blog, who knew about A1 milk and A2 milk not me for sure! Your new boy looks very handsome. Have a fab day 😊
He looks very handsome. I’m sure a friendly bull is a good thing – you don’t want to have to walk around with a red cape 😉
I am sure that you are doing things the right way; making your boys associate you with good and pleasant things rather than sticks and raised voices. Carlos is a very pretty boy – in fact, all your animals are attractive!
As the horsey people say, he has a soft eye 🙂 Looking forward to meeting Alex too. Laura
Finally arrived! A great welcome to the bull. To Carlos IV. Such a young boy still. His eyes are looking so warm and friendly. Like him. Yes. Immediately. I wish both of you having a very happy settle down, that he’ll get accustomed to you, the place and new surroundings and to his new mates soon. – Looking forward to telling us more obout the background of that A2 milk after having done your further research…
And for the arrival of Alex: What an exciting week lying ahead of (?) us!
Have a nice day, Celi!
It’s such fun being taken along with you as you add to your collection of farm animals. It’s going to be fun to watch Carlos grow. Can’t wait to find out if you do, indeed, have three milking cows next year!!
I love his sweet face. He is small, you so much smaller. I hope it all works out as planned and you get your milk. I have used milk in cooking on occasion but today I learned a lot about milk. I’ve never been able to drink it or even eat ice cream. I pay for it if I do. I LOVE ice cream, it doesn’t love me. Thanks for the lessons I learn here every day. Have an extra special day.
Exciting news at the Farmy – almost a population explosion! I hope Carlos and Alex settle in well and get along with all the other inhabitants.
Enjoy your day.
love,
ViV xox
What a bonnie lad! I feel better about you and Carlos than you and Manu. We used to borrow a boar for our sows. The first year he was grand but the second he was a brute. He was very UGLY though, so who knows, maybe he had a chip on his shoulder! Manu is quite handsome, so perhaps he’ll be chip-less!!! (Not too keen on the look in his eye however!)
Christine
A handsome chap. My aunt had a small herd of Dexters who were mostly well behaved but every now and then they went completely bonkers (rather like her!).
“As long as he does not touch Manu’s vegetables” is that a euphemism?
what a lovely bull! As always I begin my days with you- have a lovely day today and especially on Thanksgiving! Cheers!
Love the new guy on the block! He is beautiful. I do hope he settles in and treats Manu’s veggie with respect!
I never heard of A2 milk, we only get the plastic stuff. I wonder if I could tolerate it? Must check to see if it is available in these parts. Carlos IV is very handsome and I am sure the ‘girls’ will enjoy his efforts! Stay warm and take care, we do not want any nasty surprises either.
Carlos IV. Of Ireland, not Spain! Well I’m sure he will grow to be quite handsome but for now I think he is cute-see woot-see. He looks like he’d like a good tickle under his chin the way my Arthur cat would.
Carlis IV was a king in spain, if I remember rightly he was given rather a hard timme by Napoleon B, though i need to go back and read more about that period again. Small but powerful. My Carlos. c