jupitersterrain four

Two males will lock each other's antlers together and try to push each other away. The most dominant males can collect as many as 15-20 females to mate with



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They return to the main herd in preparation for the rut. Their testicles and epidymus increase considerably in size as the rut approaches. Prior to the rut, they loose the velvet from their antlers, their necks thicken, their stomachs draw in and they grow a mane. They become restless, start chasing after cows and testing their strength in short, ferocious fights. During the rut they may fight until one is killed. Yearling bulls may actually keep after a female until they kill her by pawing with the front feet every time she lies down

The onset of heat depends on body conditions and well nourished, content cows will come into heat earlier. Estrus occurs twice, seldom three times. Reindeer cows in heat are less apparent that other farm animals and are more restless than usual Females never let males approach for repeat mounting if the first one is successful. Some females will conceive as calves, but they usually do poorly in future years and do not serve well as mothers