Cattle handling question

ihuntgsps · #1 03/11/08, 07:15 AM

First off I am new to this forum but have been reading it for months.
I'm amazed at all the knowledge and how kind you are to share it.
I just brought home a 8 yr old Dexter cow bred to a mini Hereford bull to calve in the next 2 months or so. She was part of a herd of 30-40 cows at her old home. I have her in a small pasture with a 17month old Dexter bull.
The bull allows me to walk right up to him and shows me respect by not getting in my way, bumping, etc. The cow came home last Saturday and has been fairly wild since getting here. She seems fearful of me and will not allow me within 20-30 feet of her. How do I go about calming her down and getting her to accept me?

Dexter_Cattle · #2 03/11/08, 08:39 AM

What we use is Range Cubes. They are available at some local feed stores and they are available at TSC. Though (try to buy independantly instead of a chain store).

Anyway, first we put them down so that they develop a taste for them. Then we (always using the same bucket) work on getting closer to her each day, then putting them down on the ground for her. After a cow is here a few weeks to a month, we can walk out into the herd, and toss Range cubes around on the ground and we are in the center of the huddle. Most will eat out of my hands with a little work.

I would try that. I certainly can't hurt.

Timberline · #3 03/11/08, 12:22 PM

I agree with Dan, special treats seem to be the fastest way. At her age, she may never be a pet, but should settle down when she realizes you are going to feed her something good and not harm her. I have a new Dexter cow here from a large herd and she wants nothing to do with me. She is very skittish and panics at the slightest thing, and she's only 2. I have her in a corral with my quiet gentle bull. He likes to be petted, and the cow is now to the point where she will peek out around him to see what's going on, but I can't get very close to her yet. She's been here about a month now, it's a long slow process sometimes, but perseverance pays off in the end.

ihuntgsps · #4 03/12/08, 07:09 AM

Thanks for the info. Will see what I can do to get her tamed down a little bit.

translplant · #5 03/12/08, 12:51 PM

We give ours range cubes from our Co-op. The ones from Tractor Supply the cows just turn their noses up. Don't know why.

We also got some granulated molasses that we mix around with anything we're trying to hand train with. It's smells delicious (doesn't actually taste that good to me) which I think helps bring them closer to you.

Linda

Dexter_Cattle · #6 03/12/08, 02:44 PM

I do have about 6 or 7 that aren't crazy about them, but we haven't found anyone to carry them besides TSC.