taming down wild calves

[turk1800]

what would be the quickest way of taming a couple wild calves. i have them in pen feeding them everyday but its been 3 weeks and there still wild .would like to get them much calmer before turning out to pasture

[Kingfisher]

Define " wild?" What kind of calves are they? What are you turning em out into?

[jkwilson]

When we work with keeper calves, we get a single calf in a 10X12 pen with a broom. Keep the broom on them no matter how many laps they make. They'll get tired, and stop, then you can brush them with the broom. Get's them over the fear of people.

[Suzie Q]

If you have a quiet calf or old cow put them in with the calves. When you feed the quiet cow or calf will come forward for the hay and the others will soon follow.

[BRYANT]

I always try to keep an older tame cow around to calm wild stock with you know one of them ol cows that will almost run over you trying to get her head in the feed sack. One of my best I ever had was a full blood Brahma she was such a pet she got in the way, kept her for many years.I have a couple now that I keep around to calm wild ones but none was as good as my old Brahma was.

[turk1800]

thanks for the ideas there 2 heifers black Angus with a little something else thrown in.when i approach pen they run like be nice but there getting a little better .they have no horns and about 4.5 months old now. and i have no other cows. just some goats,donkey,turkeys,chickens, and dogs again thanks for the ideas, turk

[dun]

When you put out their feed, sit down and read to them outloud. Nothing exciting that may make your voice sound different. Something boring like the want ads in the paper or if you have a weekly trader type of deal read that to them.

[BRYANT]

If the donkey is tame and is a jenny put it with them. I would not recomend it if it is a jack unless he has been cut.and yes there will probly be someone post about how good a jack will be and not hurt your stock well maybe so -maybe not, don't risk it.

[adashky]

When we bring in our show heifers, we turn on a radio and keep it on all the time. Talk radio works nice. It gets them used to the sound of people's voices. The kids also spend alot of time in there just playing cards or with the cats.

The first heifer we brought in my daughter used to read to her like dun suggested.

I hate to be the one to bring this up but sometimes there are a few calves that you just can't calm down. Some are just nutty and any other calves with them will pick up on that and act just like them.

I think the main thing though is spending alot of time with them.

Good Luck!

[spinandslide]

Lots of good advice here..

Simply getting them used to you being there and your voice is a big thing. I had abit of a wild cow..a range cow...Id dump her some feed, then sit my butt on an old barrel and while she ate, Id tell her everything that happened that day at work. (God, my husband loved this. )..calmed her down right quick.

[hillbillycwo]

Some will just plain get your tail too when you try to do anything around them. Stay calm in all you do around them and talk with each task to let them know all is well. Call them the same way for feed times. However, ship them as soon as you get the notion they aren't improving a 4.5 month old can hurt you just as quick as an older calf or cow. Lots of good actors out there.