Lessening stress during transport

PrettyPaisley · #1 02/25/12, 07:00 PM

I'm going to pick up my cow next weekend-my first cow-and I'm so stinking excited! I sold the oven in the new house we bought today for the last bit of cash I needed to pay her off. (We aren't ovenless - just brought the other one from the old house over.)

I've only ever dealt with goats - so this is going to be different (and larger) and I was wondering what I could do to lessen her stress during transport. Sadly, it will be a long trip-about 10 hours.

Any tips on how to keep her calm and happy on the ride? We have a friend loaning us a 2 horse trailer so she should be contained well enough-but I want her to feel safe and comfortable as best as I can.

Thanks.

myersfarm · #2 02/25/12, 07:08 PM

Cattle and HORSE TRAILERS in MHO do not get along to good if the trailer has windows..even with bars on the windows.....a cow thinks she is only as big as her head why a squeeze chute works....and she will try to jump out the windows if trailer has them..

will she stand tied or lead ?

When I do that I never stop and open a door to feed or water I just get them home as fast as possible....

PrettyPaisley · #3 02/25/12, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myersfarm

Cattle and HORSE TRAILERS in MHO do not get along to good if the trailer has windows..even with bars on the windows.....a cow thinks she is only as big as her head why a squeeze chute works....and she will try to jump out the windows if trailer has them..

will she stand tied or lead ?

When I do that I never stop and open a door to feed or water I just get them home as fast as possible....

Oh no.
What does "stand tied or lead" mean?

myersfarm · #4 02/25/12, 07:11 PM

stand tied or lead means HALTER BROKE will she stand tied to a post with a halter on or will she lead around like a horse

PrettyPaisley · #5 02/25/12, 07:18 PM

OH! Thanks for explaining. I'm new here.

I will ask. I do not know.

topside1 · #6 02/25/12, 08:11 PM

Ten hours one way, what state is she in?

topside1 · #7 02/25/12, 08:14 PM

That's one special cow considering fuel prices....are you heading my way on I-40. If you are I'd be glad to help in a pinch (out of fuel, bearing issue, any kind of trouble). That's a long ride....Topside

PrettyPaisley · #8 02/25/12, 08:45 PM

She's west of Memphis. I really wanted a Guernsey and she is the closest one I could find. It was TN or OK-and OK didn't seem like the best idea.

We are going I-40. I'd *love* to have a friend if I got in a pickle along the way. I'm not too scared...but you never know what might happen and I know a cow is a muuuuuch bigger animal than a goat!

Thank you topside~ !!!

myersfarm · #9 02/25/12, 11:30 PM

Pretty I talked to the guy about his cows. He seemed to think they were special. But they did not give 5gallons a day. Hope it works out for you

PrettyPaisley · #10 02/26/12, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myersfarm

Pretty I talked to the guy about his cows. He seemed to think they were special. But they did not give 5gallons a day. Hope it works out for you

So you think it's not worth it?

This is a family cow-I don't know what I would do with 5 gallons a day.

MO_cows · #11 02/26/12, 07:22 AM

We used to use a two horse trailer for cattle and it was made so the center divider came out, it was not part of the structural support. We always used it that way. Open the windows for ventilation. Good luck!

topside1 · #12 02/26/12, 07:53 AM

Pretty, I only live three miles off I-40 so helping you in the general area would be fine....PM me with the details and I'll then send you my home & cell phone #'s. Topside

willow_girl · #13 02/26/12, 08:30 AM

Good luck to you! My girls survived a 9-hour trip from MI to SWPA in '07. They were a little wobbly coming off the trailer, but adjusted just fine.

Talk to the farmer you're buying her from and see if you can get a little feed to go with her, enough for a day or two. Seems wise to avoid a drastic change in diet along with the stress of shipping.

Seems like a good time of year to make the trip -- not too hot or cold! I moved mine in July and the hauler made the trip overnight to avoid heat stress. You shouldn't have to worry about that.

myersfarm · #14 02/26/12, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrettyPaisley

So you think it's not worth it?

This is a family cow-I don't know what I would do with 5 gallons a day.

Never said it was not worth it.....I also wanted a gurnsey they are rare ...but I have a business raising calfs....I do not know what you paid OR HOW MUCH YOU WANT ONE

For me they have to give 5 gallons a day thats the cut off....but I feed like crazy to get that amount

tinknal · #15 02/26/12, 09:40 AM

Long trips can screw up the gut flora in cattle. First thing you want to do when you get her home is give her a big whopping shot of B12. Getting some probiotics in her gut would also be a good idea. Good clean grass hay only for the first night and start her back on grain slowly. Her production will drop for a week or so but as you work the grain back up it should return.

PrettyPaisley · #16 02/26/12, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myersfarm

Never said it was not worth it.....I also wanted a gurnsey they are rare ...but I have a business raising calfs....I do not know what you paid OR HOW MUCH YOU WANT ONE

For me they have to give 5 gallons a day thats the cut off....but I feed like crazy to get that amount

Oh if I could only quantify desire in dollars.

I don't do traditional grain with my animals so I imagine she won't come near 5 gallons a day, ever. Whatever she gives on hay, grass and alfalfa pellets is what we will be happy with.

tinknal-I was wondering about B12 since it works with goats. But-how much? I can imagine that would be a *big* shot considering she might make 9-10 goats based on size! What about some sort of tranquilizer? Maybe not something super strong, but something to take the edge off-like when I have a glass of wine? Just to calm things down a bit ....

myersfarm · #17 02/26/12, 06:57 PM

A banimine shot will take the edge off but I would think she would be over it in a few hours..

plus it would also help with the swelling and soreness next day if given again next day

tinknal · #18 02/26/12, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrettyPaisley

Oh if I could only quantify desire in dollars.

I don't do traditional grain with my animals so I imagine she won't come near 5 gallons a day, ever. Whatever she gives on hay, grass and alfalfa pellets is what we will be happy with.

tinknal-I was wondering about B12 since it works with goats. But-how much? I can imagine that would be a *big* shot considering she might make 9-10 goats based on size! What about some sort of tranquilizer? Maybe not something super strong, but something to take the edge off-like when I have a glass of wine? Just to calm things down a bit ....

Cattle generally calm down pretty quick in a trailer. I think that there is more potential for harm than good in tranquilizer.

Been awhile since I dosed a cow but I'm thinking around 20 ccs.

myersfarm · #19 02/26/12, 07:30 PM

I agree 100% what tinknal said Cattle generally calm down pretty quick in a trailer. I think that there is more potential for harm than good in tranquilizer

tranquilizer would make it hard for her to keep on her feet....with that she might be bouncing of the walls in the trailer and hurt herself

PrettyPaisley · #20 02/26/12, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MO_cows

We used to use a two horse trailer for cattle and it was made so the center divider came out, it was not part of the structural support. We always used it that way. Open the windows for ventilation. Good luck!

We just picked up the trailer we borrowed and it sounds just like the one you describe, only there is a pretty big opening in the back above the doors. It seems pretty high up - but I wonder if I don't need to do something to block it so it's not tempting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by topside1

Pretty, I only live three miles off I-40 so helping you in the general area would be fine....PM me with the details and I'll then send you my home & cell phone #'s. Topside

I will PM you now. Thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by myersfarm

A banimine shot will take the edge off but I would think she would be over it in a few hours..
plus it would also help with the swelling and soreness next day if given again next day

I can do that. I'll call my vet and see if I can get some.