How do cows compete?

Answer 1

They compete with each other only when there is limited space or feed or grazing area to go around. The bigger, bolder cows or those cows with horns will always push away those that are smaller, younger, weaker, or less of a threat to get to the best feeding areas, grazing spots or the best area at the water-trough. The bigger cows will always get the best feed first and leave the poorer stuff for the smaller thinner cows to pick through.

Cows maintain pecking order by using their heads to establish dominance. How they use their heads is simply by either posing in a threatening way, or nuzzling or butting a cow that is lower on the totem pole out of the way. Cows will even get really bossy over young calves, and push them out of the way to get to the best feed areas or spots.

The way to decrease competition is to either separate those thinner, smaller and younger animals away from the fatter, bigger cows so the smaller cattle can have just as good or better-quality feed to themselves without having to worry about being pushed around by the more bossier cattle. Spreading feed out instead of putting them in just two or three places will also minimize competitive behaviour. For calves, a creep feeder that only they can access is perfect for them because they and only they get to have access to the feed that their mothers would otherwise take over.