Question about tethering

cooper101 · #1 08/09/14, 06:54 PM

I've been raising my first few calves and want to fence in some pasture, but I'm not quite there yet. Tell me if this would work or not. I have basically an unlimited supply of used manure scraper cable, like 3/4 inch steel cable. Would it work to lay that out in a field anchored at each end, and tether the calves to it on a chain so they could walk the length of it and graze? There wouldn't be anybody to keep an eye on them frequently, so I'm leary of doing it. Anybody do something like that?

Rosepath · #2 08/09/14, 08:18 PM

You would be amazed how quickly (like a matter of minutes) they can get their lead rope wrapped around their legs, or any other object, and get trapped, fall, panic, etc.

Don't do it, even if there would be someone to watch them, but especially bad bad idea if no one will be there with them.

Unless you have unlimited $$$ for replacing the calves on a regular basis.

Rosepath · #3 08/09/14, 08:21 PM

PS - "on a chain" - just noticed that. REALLY bad idea, have you ever seen how a chain can tear through skin and muscle when really tight? You'd find out in a hurry.

Don't try it.

Investigate electric fence, not as expensive as woven wire or cattle panels to run a couple of hot wires to enclose an area - train them to it in a small space before turning them out into a larger pasture.

Not trying to be harsh, just hate to see calves injured, and this would be the outcome of the cable/chain idea.

G. Seddon · #4 08/09/14, 08:24 PM

This sounds like an accident waiting to happen. I wouldn't risk tying any animal up without supervision. Too many opportunities for a calf to get into trouble, either by getting tangled up or choking.

Why not get some corral panels set up in a safe place with access to water and shade where they can't get into trouble? Corral panels can always be used for some other purpose once you get your fencing established.

Awnry Abe · #5 08/09/14, 08:43 PM

I did this with two goats--once. I used a dog run cable. They lived, but could have easily ended tragically. Untangling was quit a mess.

**gone-a-milkin** · #6 08/09/14, 09:29 PM

Just imagine what a couple of stray dogs could do to a calf that was
tethered as proposed here.

sammyd · #7 08/10/14, 05:29 AM

We tethered all the time. No need to use such heavy stuff.
We used halters and a heavy dog cable which was around 1/4".
We put them out in the morning and brought them in in the evening. Placed water buckets just at the edge of the circle.
We didn't line tether but rather circle tethered. If there were no good trees or posts available I put the screw in tethers or I would use wooden calf hutches and attach a cable to the front.
The only time I had a problem was once when I put a heifer out in a new area and hadn't really paid attention to the large burdock. She ate the leaves but wrapped her cable around the stalks pretty good.

Wild dogs will make a mess whether the animals are tethered or not. Lost a heifer and had several others pretty worked up on pasture once to a pack that came through.

idigbeets · #8 08/10/14, 05:45 AM

Ever see jurassic park when the chained up lamb was put outside? That's what you're doing to those calves, inviting predators. Assuming they don't just strangle themselves, or get hurt otherwise. All around, a terrible idea.

sammyd · #9 08/10/14, 06:37 AM

comparing a farm to Jurassic park is taking things a bit far don't y think?

arnie · #10 08/10/14, 10:01 AM

this was a more common practice before electric fenceing became cheep and moveable and as mentioned this is your best option . but tethering can work with a cow or horse just like a dog they have to go through a training phase where they have to be monertered very closely I saw a set up in a book (handy farm devices) where a few inches of chain linked a pole about 6 feet long to the halter to help prevent tangleing .Still I do not recommend tethering my cousin kept a pony like this for a long time it worked well he moved it every couple days to fresh grass the calm old pony did great for months but it got tangled in the rope and broke its neck . electric fence chargers are inexpencive easy to moveabout and work

idigbeets · #11 08/10/14, 02:33 PM

I dunno if it is over the top... but I thought it was funny. My point is valid though....

Le Petit Norman · #12 08/10/14, 08:44 PM

Well I won't be able to comment on the set up itself, but I can only encourage you to tether your cow, like it was said a post or two above, it used to be common practice but for some reason it has became a big no no … my granny tethered her cow (and the few next one) her whole life, no way she was gonna let them loose in the orchard … never lost one … she just used ropes. what kind … well the kind used by my grand pa on his fishing net , like I told you I can help much with your specific set up but it was done and can be done

**gone-a-milkin** · #13 08/10/14, 08:58 PM

I think the key to tethering animals "in the old days" was that someone was always close by.
People lived and worked at home and right there next to their animals all the time.
Oftentimes a child or elderly person was given the job of grazing the animals out during the day.
Seems like everyone had good farm dogs too.

Times are different now.

The OP has stated they need to leave the animals unsupervised.