Hippie's Twin Bulls Hans and Hals

Back in August 2005, Hippie had twin bulls at the age of 14. The vet had to untangle the two before they could be pulled out. Hippie lost her place as boss cow to Bodo when she rejoined the herd a few weeks later.

The two were nearly identical at birth, but Hans was a little larger. Also, Hans a thin light edge on his lower eyelids while Hals has completely dark eyelids. Hans stopped nursing two days after he was born but he bounced back after a tube feeding.

Now the two are easily distinguishable. Hals is the dark one of the pair:

Hans and Hippie. Hans is the dominant bull. Of course they are both beneath most of the other animals as they are still young. Llew Llaw and Wheezer have pushing contests with the bulls, and the Highland steers usually win - so far.

The bulls are very calm and are not aggressive yet even though they are breeding. I interact with them as little as possible, and when I do it is always from the rear where they appreciate a scratch. As a result, they will even turn their hindquarters towards me when I approach, which is the end of a bull I'd rather deal with. I can see some territorial behavior with people they don't know. Look at the head and neck on Hans:

Hans and Hals last winter. They had long, silky hair.

Hans and halls in the fall of 2005 when they were still creamy white.