The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Cattle => Topic started by: sokel on May 25, 2013, 07:49:32 am

Title: Moving the Calves
Post by: sokel on May 25, 2013, 07:49:32 am
Well as the weather is lovely the Calves are moving today , Thats if they will go into the horsebox  ::)
Far better off  being out on acres of grass than stuck in the stable as after the flood the fields down here are a no go area !
Wish me luck  :roflanim:
Title: Re: Moving the Calves
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on May 25, 2013, 08:02:00 am
During the short time I had cattle here, the one thing I learned is that unlike horses (who once they have got upset or objected to something are pretty hard to persuade to leave that behind), cattle are quite capable of being adamant they will NOT get into the trailer and then just as soon as you are ready to give up, they saunter on without a care in the world.


so even if it seems like they won't cooperate, don't lose heart cos they probably will!!
Title: Re: Moving the Calves
Post by: Ina on May 25, 2013, 08:45:00 am
They'll probably walk on if you ignore them... Has happened to me in the past. One occasion I remember vividly  (that was with deer, though, who are generally much more difficult to handle); my colleague and I got distracted and started discussing something - by the time we turned back to finally get those deer onto the trailer they were standing inside, looking at us as if asking - what the heck are you waiting for?  ;D

They might just be curious enough to walk on by themselves. Or follow a bucket.
Title: Re: Moving the Calves
Post by: SallyintNorth on May 25, 2013, 10:31:46 am
Yes, curiousity usually gets the better of them  :D.  It will help if the ramp is a flat as possible, and very stable - ie., doesn't wobble or bounce as they step on it.

Good luck!
Title: Re: Moving the Calves
Post by: Rosemary on May 25, 2013, 03:43:23 pm
Never had any bother trailering any of our cattle. A bucket of calf crunch and they're up that ramp like greased lightening ;D
Title: Re: Moving the Calves
Post by: sokel on May 25, 2013, 07:14:17 pm
Well I dont know what all of the worry was about .
They walked in on the halter without any objections at all and straight into the field at the other end  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Moving the Calves
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on May 25, 2013, 09:19:54 pm
Fantastic, love it when jobs you are concerned about go smoothly with livestock. Send me some good vibes for moving our sheep up and along the top of our fields, it isn't very well fenced onto the hill and we don't have enough netting to make it a sheep tight tunnel.....:-))..or a sheepdog. Hopefully a bucket of food will work!!