Bucks:To Move or Not To Move

I have 2 questions...Question #1: I have 3 2yr olds to move in with 6 other 2yr olds. Do I do it now, or wait till fall when I saw them off and move them together then? My concern in doing it now is that during the hours/days of their intro to each other that they will slap and damage their antlers, not that I will be selling them, but still worried about a break off low, worse case scenario. Doing it later, this fall, will of course be more of a playground for a more serious and longer intro time, tho like I said, they will be sawed off. I think its almost like toma'to tomato, but what would you do? Question #2: I have a 2 yr old that is still in with the does he bred last year. Do I move him now or wait till fall? The criteria with him is the same as with the 2 yr olds in question #1, except with him the added concern is that the does might slap his rack into damage. Really appreciate anyone's time in the giving of their opinion, thank you! And yeah...I know, I should have done all this 5 weeks ago. Wanted to say that before you did.

Not to be a smarta%$ but I think you answered your own questions!

if they are fine and settled where they are i would leave them no reason to mess with the order of things now or take the chance of someone getting messed up just my thoughts good luck to everyone this fawning and growing season

Nick

Daywoodwhitetails.com

You should put the bucks together now while testosterone levels are low. I put my button bucks in with my bucks at this time of year without damage. This is a time to set the peck'in order of the herd with fake charges,chases, and an occasional slap. They will work this out over the summer months when nobody is really itching for a full fledged fight. Wait til fall and look out. Even if you cut antlers there will be fighting and rubbing the hide right down to the skull sometimes. As far as leaving the buck in with the does I wouldn't worry about the does hurting the breeder buck. I leave mine in with the does as he is no longer interested in breeding them and pretty much ignores them right now. Some of the younger does may lay by him but he just spends most of the day minding his own bussiness. My only concern would be if he gets aggressive with the new born fawns. I had one a few years back that actually charged a one day old and ran him over killing the fawn. Needless to say you will have to watch when the fawns start arriving. With that said I must admit that the other bucks while showing some curiousity at first when they were first born soon lost interest. Just my experience, I'm sure others will have different opinions and like I always say,whatever works for you. Rick

Whatever you decide to do, make sure you don't have just one fence between those bucks you're considering mixing-either co-mingle them or get some distance between them. Hard lesson learned at AV:had just one fence between bucks a long time ago, when they shed their velvet one got killed and the fence got torn up. So I figured I was safe until around the 20th of August in the future, but not so: had a 3-year old get hung in a fence where there were yearlings on the other side, and I cut him out but he was too stressed, even with a cold-water enima (to lower core body temp) he didn't make it. That was in mid July when there was plenty of growing time left. Therefore, I don't ever put bucks on bucks in pens beside one another. It just doesn't pay.

No...I didn't! I exclaimed my knowledge and realization of what I was up against as it relates to my concerns, BUT my questian was posed in the search for ''another's'' opinion of concerns that I possibly overlooked or was unaware of. And then ultimately like I asked ''What would you do'' under said circumstances!

Thanks all for your opinions. My post above was to Bone Collector. I didn't see you alls post until after I hit the enter button...kinda new on this computer stuff...said I'd never do it.

How long have you been raising deer Sandrudge? If you answer honestly then we will understand possibly why you expressed concerns as well as noted the possibilities of such actions.

What?!?!? Bone Collector, I have been raising deer for 15 years, and there is only one way I do answer, and that IS honestly. Who is the we you are talking about? Others answered my questions, and you for some reason have done anything but. I asked 2 questions in hopes of gleaning information/opinions from others so I could make a more educated move, hence better knowing I was putting my best foot forward, which is what I thought this forum was all about. If you have no helpful information to offer me, please disengage. Mark

Wow! 15 years my apologies.

Ok......peace guys........it is easy to ruffle each others feathers especially on these forums trust me I speak from experience! Not proud of that either......... Lets try to get along with one another and stay united......we need to do all we can to stay strong as an industry and fight the true enemies who want to see us GONE!.......just my thoughts guys!! Good LUCK!!