Cows with collar?

[Hexe]

Hello,

Does anybody here use collars on their cattle instead of halters? I have a few cows that I only halter when I need to, simply because on a permanent basis the halters either rub them, but they can't get them off or b) they don't rub the cows but then they can get them off on trees. So it's a catch 22.

It would be nice to have "something" on them on a more permanent basis for a grab out in the pasture.

P.S. I am aware that stuff left on can get them caught, but for the purpose of this discussion I'd like to ignore that fact for now and focus on the practical application of collar vs. halter.

Thanks,

[farmerdan]

I have tie stalls so I use the leather collar from Nasco. Lost a couple in the past but for the most part they don't get caught on anything.

[Wanda]

The collar gives you less control over the animal. The halter is on the head which gives you more leverage to change or control the animals movement. Collar would be ok to ''tether'' but that is not what you are describing.

[Jersey/guernsey]

I have used collars and liked them okay, thou they tend to bag out with ware.
now I'm using neck chains with a breakaway ring so if they get caught on something the chain comes off. both work well, but I prefer the chains.

[sv.maple]

Neck chains will break off if they get cought on something but if theyre used to being hooked they dont relize they can break it easy enough and just stay where they are till you find them. Collars wont break at all but probobly be less apt to get cought. I had herd of 50 milking cows all had chains and were pastured and in 10 years had to go find maybe 2. I wouldnt worry about it to much unless theres alot of "junk" they scratch on trees wont bother

[AlannaTiernan]

I keep a collar with a bell on my cow, but we also keep a halter on her as well. Neither one rubs and we've only had a few instances of her rubbing it off on a tree etc. I agree with Wanda, the halters give you much more control. Maybe it's just me, but I also noticed that once a skittish cow has a halter on they seem to tame down a bit. That's been our experience anyway...

[DaleK]

Every animal that ever went through our barns had a nylon collar put on her at first breeding, whether she was in tiestalls, freestalls or on pasture. Never had a halter on an animal unless we were drenching or IVing her.

[goodhors]

I kept collar on cow that hat the plastic "snaps" which would break if caught. I don't have any stuff in the fields to snag on, so never put the collar to the test. It was mostly to carry her bell, making her easy to locate if not visible. I got these nylon strap, plastic buckle collars at the Dollar store, put two big dog collars together to fit the small cow.

I did have regular cow collars too, used WITH flat strap nylon cow halters at the Fair, which requires two ways to tie animal. That has a buckle collar, NOT going to break or come off, even with a fighting cow.

I use the slip rope halters to get cow at the gate, lead her inside. Did give a good amount of control with the halter, but just used for leading. We handled cow and steers daily, kept them friendly and trained, going in and out of the barn for the night.

[myheaven]

I have a collar on mine 24x7 but use a halter when we need to do work on them.