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Teach Calves With a Trained Animal? Using trained animals to assist calves to become accustomed to their new home has been tried in the past with mixed success. The practice may have some merit, since newly weaned calves have trouble adjusting to their new pens or pastures. The idea is to place a cow or a yearling with the calves to teach them about the source of water and feed. There are many tactics that help take advantage of the natural psychological nature of calves. I have heard of ranch operations in the mountains of placing an older cow or yearling with new cattle to lead them to the water sources in remote areas. The selection of the animal seems important. A strong, yet gentle animal is preferred. Years ago I recall Lowell Goemmer, of LaVeta, Colorado, had a "big Texas longhorn steer" that is put with new cattle to help lead them to new pastures. In a similar situation, trained goats have been used in packing houses in the past to lead the animals to the slaughter area. Two of our clients wean their calves across the fence from the mother cows with excellent success. Tom Rustler of Avondale, Colorado, uses a good fence fortified with an electric fence to separate the calves. Another client, Leo & Glen Sharp of McClave, Colorado, wean in their receiving pens. Water Location Gary Wilcock of HiPro Feeds of Clovis, New Mexico, suggests to his ranch customers to think through all the tricks and tactics you can use to get calves weaned and on feed. Since newly weaned calves will circle the pen, one of Gary's favorite tactics is to place a gate or some kind of a barrier near the water tank to get the cattle to stop and have a drink. This is not a new idea. Having the tank in the fence line rather than the center of the pen has been suggested as an aid to getting calves to drink when they first arrive. In some cases we have seen feeders use an extra water tank in the fence line and using the noise of running water to attract calves to the water source. I have seen "Ozone machines" used to attract the calves. The ozone source has been reported to help control bacteria in the water to help prevent respiratory diseases. (However I do not know of any research to substantiate this claim.) Pen Selection Some pens are better than others. The quiet pen is ideal. Minimum truck or cattle traffic may help calves settle down. A pen close to the cattle treatment area is also important. One of our customers, Rex Stanley Feed Yard at Dodge City, Kansas, has a separate set of pens to start and grow calves and hard-to-start cattle. Ronnie Stanley, the co-owner gives personal attention to these pens. As with the water tank idea, an extra bunk placed perpendicular to the fence line may help calves find feed earlier. This is a good place to put a palatable starting ration. Psychology of the Calf or the People? Quiet handling of cattle is so important. We have seen a lot of noise around cattle chutes from the people shouting and dogs barking. Dean Rusher at Olney Springs, Colorado, raises calves as well as purchases calves and yearlings in the fall. Quiet handling is their method. He does not allow talking or shouting when handling their cattle, and particularly their calves. Each worker in the chute area has their assignment, and they handle their cattle quietly. |
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