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pcmb_joy · Feb 12, 2009, 11:55 PM

What is the difference between ox and bull?

Clough · Feb 13, 2009, 12:02 AM

Hi, pcmb_joy!

An ox is a castrated bull. So, the difference is, that a bull has his testicles whereas an ox has had his testicles removed.

Thanks!

asking · Feb 13, 2009, 11:03 AM

Yep. What Clough said! A steer is also a castrated male.

Cattle raised for meat or work are castrated as calves.

Clough · Feb 13, 2009, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by asking

Yep. What Clough said! A steer is also a castrated male.

Cattle raised for meat or work are castrated as calves.

I didn't know that about steers or about the meat or work thing!

Thanks!

FlyYakker · Feb 14, 2009, 07:00 AM

The term "Ox" is usually associated with a bovine animal that is used as a work animal to pull carts, etc. see HowStuffWorks "Ox"

Clough · Feb 14, 2009, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by FlyYakker

The tern "Ox" is usually associated with a bovine animal that is used as a work animal to pull carts, etc. see HowStuffWorks "Ox"

I didn't know that either, FlyYakker!

Thanks!

WildRoseBeef · Feb 14, 2012, 05:47 PM

Presently oxen are referred to animals (mostly those that are castrated bulls) that are trained for draft work, i.e. pulling carts, wagons, plows, etc. In many third-world countries, oxen also include bulls and cows that have been trained for work. Oxen are best if they're horned, not polled (or not horned).

Bulls, on the other hand, are intact males, often older than 3 years of age, that are used only for breeding cows and heifers. Not many bulls exist in the world because not many are needed to be used to breed females. One mature bull (that is over 3 or 4 years of age) can service 25 to 50 cows in one breeding season. Not all bulls are horned, many are polled, especially since it's a safety issue to raise a horned bull.