Author Topic: Yearlings (Read 2556 times)

fifixx · « **on:** February 24, 2012, 08:53:35 am »

I have kept last years girls with their mums, but last night one of them jumped into a pen where I had separated her mum and caught her leg in the hurdle - luckily OK.

I need to separate them so either I make another big pen next to the mums with high separating gates or I put htem in the field with a comfy pig ark full of straw

which one would be best?

Arabus · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2012, 10:48:49 am »

Next to mum. If they can still hear each other, they are likely to get very distressed at being separated (mum included). Please make sure that your very high gates have a top bar, I know of a youngster that tried to jump a gate to get to mum and hung herself on it

so best if the 'gates' go all the way to the roof!
Why are you separating them?

fifixx · « **Reply #2 on:** February 24, 2012, 10:49:15 pm »

Spent most of the day cleaning out an unused bit of barn, making it leap-proof hopefully and putting loads of lovely straw, bales to jump on and a pallet - are they grateful, no! As soon as I arrive, what a to-do!

They spent all last Autumn together when the billy was with their mums so they are quite used to being apart from the mums. If they don't settle, I will put them in a sheltered paddock with a nice warm pig ark.

Pregnant does, however, seem happier and calmer, so it was a good thing to do!