Bison Behaviour

Question 1

Why has the bison industry had to re-think the use of the term buffalo

Answer 1

North American Buffalo not a true buffalo
Water buffalo products have found their way into NA markets = confusion

Question 2

Similarities between bison and cows

Answer 2

• grazing ruminants with split hooves
• multiple stomachs and chew cud
• both raise 1 calf per year
• gestation around 9 months for both

Question 3

Differences between bison and cows

Answer 3

• male and female bison have horns, not all breeds of cattle do
• Cows have first calf around 2 years of age, bison do not have it until they are 3
• Bison calves naturally weaned by mom around a month prior to arrival of new calf
• bison tail less than half the length of cows

Question 4

Similarities/differences between breeding bulls of cows and bison

Answer 4

Males of both can impregnate females between one and two
Bison bulls do not become dominant active breeders until at least 4

Question 5

Differences in breeding and calving seasons for cows and bison

Answer 5

Bison = calving in may and june, breeding in august
Cows = calving and breeding potentially any time of year

Question 6

How much grass does an adult bison consume? Water requirements?

Answer 6

More than 30 pounds per day
Can go long time without water, travel long distances to find it

Question 7

Do bison need to be fed supplementally during the winter months

Answer 7

Not necessarily, they are hardy, but you should still supplement them
Do not assume their is enough food under the snow

Question 8

Bison running, jumping and swimming

Answer 8

Run up to 35 mph
Jump 6 ft high and 7 ft horizontally
Powerful swimmers

Question 9

Describe bison wallowing. Importance?

Answer 9

Wallow in dry areas, stir clouds of dust
May wallow in wet areas
Important in grooming, sensory stimulation, alleviating skin irritation, reproductive beh
Transports soils and seeds
Wallows collect rain water and form small ponds = vegetation, diversity

Question 10

Describe bison senses, manners

Answer 10

Keen sense of smell
Communicate using grunts
Mild mannered, but can be unexpectedly aggressive

Question 11

Threat beh in bison

Answer 11

Snort or guttural bellow with head up, mouth open, and tail erect

Question 12

Things to keep in mind when handling bison

Answer 12

Working at ground level in sorting pens is not realistic for most bison
Handling pen should have features allowing for protection/escape (protected walkways in, around or above the system)
Gates should not be manipulated manually (pulleys, levers, hydraulics>)

Question 13

When are bison most aggressive

Answer 13

Cows when they have calves
Bulls during the breeding season
Avoid handling bison during calving/breeding seasons

Question 14

How do bison escape a threat

Answer 14

Through or over physical barriers that other species would not challenge

Question 15

What are the six R’s of bison handling

Answer 15

1. Reduce the size of the group (1, 3 or 5 = odd #)
2. Reduce the speed of the group being handled (will run through you)
3. Remember the “Ripple Effect” (one bison moves, the one beside it does, etc)
4. Release pressure
5. Retreat (take time-outs)
6. Reward (high quality food in large paddock)
   Slides 15,16

Question 16

What bison will enter a new area first

Answer 16

Herd bulls = dominant, more confident, others follow to not be left behind

Question 17

Slides 17, 18 19

Answer 17

Paddocks

Question 18

Common culling criteria in bison

Answer 18

Ease of handling (especially for bulls)