Rearing Cattle for Beginners: Becoming an Experienced Cattle Herder in Nigeria Made Simple.

In the northern parts of Nigeria, at the age of 5-10, most kids had began tending cattles, and came to love caring for them. By age 17, they already became experienced in cattles herding. These young herders would lead the cattles to pastures, which could involve more than 500 meters, some could take several days. You may ask, how did these young men get so brave, as such, have greater joy doing these things?

Yes, there are no tricks or jujus, as many have thought. These cattles are always reared as young calf's. A calf is of a pregnant cow. So, it is very easy for these calf's to recognize the herder, which in turns, do give listening ears to. A cattle is either a cow (female) or bull (male), that are kept as farm animals for their milk or meat.

You will mostly find northerners in this line of business. These people controls a herd of cattle without problem. But sometimes, the way they go can be threat, and some that stray a little can get injured - or even killed. The best way to herd cattle is by the "CLOSED SYSTEM", where cattles are kept in a large PEN. This will be easier and less dangerous, as some routes are often dangerous, dividing Them Off from the herd.

Many states in Nigeria practice the "NOMADIC SYSTEM", whereby a member of a community moves with its animals from place to place. This system of livestock farming can lead to dispute between two communities, as animals do invades pastureous lands full of cash crops and other Agro-based produce. This is also known as "PASTORAL FARMING", - a way of keeping animals that involves moving them from place to place to find water and food (grass).

You can build a temporary corrals, or enclosures for protect of the cattles during the day and night. Some cattle loves to sleep in and will not get up until after sunrise, or when it is time to graze. The day is already hot. The cattles will soon stand together with their heads bowed, breathing with much effort. There they have time to graze in the refreshing early morning air. As people often say "Looking at the cattles, you see the herder". But this case is different. The cattles already have all they need to keep strong and happy in the "CLOSING SYSTEM".

A good time for checking and treating cattles is when they are taking a test after grazing. One of the biggest problems with cattles is with flies that lay eggs in the cattles "NAVEL". When this happens, the navel becomes inflamed and swells. If the problem is not found in time, the pain can become so intense that a cattle may wander off and die. You should check the cattles almost daily so you can treat them. Although this takes time and efforts. Your rewards is that the cattles are healthy and content. 

If you have large area of farmland, this is an added plus. You can take the cattles out to the pasture for food (grass) and return them to the corral in the evening. You should count them. They can enter the pen through a narrow gate - sometimes up to two or three at a time. Even if the cattles are numbered into the hundreds, with time and a lot of practice, you become so skilled at the procedure. If a cattle is missing, you will know and then you can organize a search for it.

You can give a name for every cattle, according to differences in their appearance or character traits. Or mark them using paint of different colors. In a herd, there always seemed to be stubborn cattle. For some reason, they just don't want to obey the herder. At times, other cattles will incline to follow a disobedient one. So the herder would try to train and discipline the stubborn ones. For example, he would leave such a cattle in the pen alone. In time, some accept corrections and follow the herder directions. Cattle that remains stubborn, end up on the dinner table.