Disposition or Damage?

[Stocker Steve]

We have been culling hard for disposition. Used to be the last one or two head in a pen would be looking ( or trying to jump) over the 6' corral panel rather than going into the chute. Now we have to climb into the pen and physically push or tail twist the last one to get any movement... At some point I start to wonder if we need to consider culling a heifer for being too calm, or perhaps for having some brain damage. Any input?

 

[3waycross]

We have been culling hard for disposition. Used to be the last one or two head in a pen would be looking ( or trying to jump) over the 6' corral panel rather than going into the chute. Now we have to climb into the pen and physically push or tail twist the last one to get any movement... At some point I start to wonder if we need to consider culling a heifer for being too calm, or perhaps for having some brain damage. Any input?

Yes Steve quit yer bytchin. :lol2: We all wish we had such a terrible problem :lol:

 

[regolith]

No need to cull. Handle them roughly a few times as calves. Make them jump over hot wires instead of walking round them. Keep an untrained dog around the place.

A bit of effort can reverse thirty years breeding with one year's management. Problem solved.

 

[Aaron]

Split your herd into bunches of 10, go to the sale barn and request the craziest old cows, filled with p!ss and vinegar and throw one in each bunch. Guarantee you won't have your terrible docility problems for long. ;-)

In all honesty, the alternative to being 'too tame' is not an alternative...unless of course you like playing with chance. :cowboy:

 

[angus9259]

It can be frustrating though, that's for sure. I don't own one, but I wonder if a prod of some sort might actually be useful in this case because you do have to get them to move.

 

[dun]

It can be frustrating though, that's for sure. I don't own one, but I wonder if a prod of some sort might actually be useful in this case because you do have to get them to move.

It's kind of funny that I can crank a cows tail and she'll just turn around a look at me. Someone just grab her tail and she'll move without cranking it.
They get frustrating but if you ever have a pasture emergency with one it sure makes the previous frustration all worht while when they will just stand and you can do whatever has to be done to them.

 

[novatech]

I agree with getting rid of the crazies. The others have to be retrained. Cows associate the chute with pain. Balking is defense against it. Get the cattle into the pen. Make the only exit the chute. Once they exit reward them with hay or what ever. The ones that balk you may have to coax with sweet feed into the chute. I have had mine in the crowding tub but refuse to go any further. I open it up so they can exit. I had one that did not go out until the next day. The next time she went through on her own.
Now here is something that a lot of people don't agree with but sometimes is necessary. When cows are worked in a chute there is usually some pain or discomfort involved. If they balk in the crowding tub not entering the chute, a quick pop with a pocket hotshot will usually get them moving. I have been hit with them several times in my life and it is not all that bad. It is like any other tool. Learn how to use it and it works with out abuse. On the other hand once the cow is in the chute one must inflect as little pain as possible. A hot shot will make a crazy more crazy but will give the balkers a little juice but only as a last resort.
Like others have said, train them when they are young, but train them to go through easy with patients and with as little trauma as possible. Maybe look at things from the cows perspective.

 

[Caustic Burno]

I only feed range cubes in the cow pen close the gate and they have to exit the chute. About once a week I holler come on girls they all come running to get into the cow pen, when I open the gate they are fighting to get in for the cubes.

 

[pdfangus]

I have posted it on this site many times but the fix is ridiculously simple.

feed them a cup, literally a cup (8 oz), of feed - no more is required and it can be any kind of feed - everytime they are in the chute. I put the grain in front of the headcute and most of mine don't even notice when I close the chute. They very quickly associate the chute with the feed and the rest becomes easy. No tail twisting. no hot shots, no wild animals banging and jumping.

folks tell me they don't have time to do all that and all I can say is that with cattle we all know that slower is faster. It is simple and easy and my biggest problem is keeping the ones I have processed from coming back to get more feed or going thru again if they find the gate open.

It does cause the need for a cut off gate or the cows in the chute will push on the one in the headgate. in my herd seven out of ten will be in the chute waiting for their turn and when i open the gate they auto load into the headgate. i simply push it closed.

 

[bigbull338]

you have what we all want a gentle herd of cows.id rather have to use a hotshot to get emm in the chute.than have to run for my life.i dont like hotshots at all.but a reg beefmaster breeder told me that since most beefmasters are so gentle.you have to use it to get them in the chute.