How do you calm spooked cows?

[AmandaQ]

I had a strange experience yesterday evening. Yesterday morning, I had moved my cows to our front pasture that has a horse arena in it. They prefer to stay in the back pasture because it is bigger, has lots of trees and isn't right next to the road. But I'm doing my best to utilize all of my space so they will need to eat all the grass in front before they can go back where they want to be. We went to dinner and when we returned, the three cows were in a circular, defensive stance. The calf didn't seem upset but she was in formation. The two older cows were agitated because the neighbor behind us have rodeos once a month and this one was a doozie! The PA was blaring but we could hear those other cows were very upset. My cows have heard the activity in the past but this time seemed much worse than before. I gave them some treats to get them out of the circle, which led to them eventually lying down. Once they were down, I sat with them, played chill music on my phone and gave them massages. Eventually my mama cow rolled over and let me rub her belly. The cud chewing started and I knew I could go back inside. I am assuming this is not a normal tactic you all use. Just wondering how real operations handle distress?

 

[MurraysMutts]

I couldn't help but chuckle out loud at the last part of your story!

It sounds to me like ya got it under control.

I've started leaving my radio in the pickup on while I feed/check cows etc. Its weird but the cows actually seem to enjoy it. Hard to explain. But they just seem calmer. Weird huh?

 

[mwj]

Sometimes it is like dealing with kids.Just distract them and they will soon lose focus and forget the monster that was out to get them.

 

[bird dog]

A constant sound like a radio keeps them from reacting to sudden sounds like a gate slamming or loud voices. Notice how dairy barns usually have a radio going. Old cowboys sang to the cows.

Try having a radio going next time your are gathering, sorting and working cows. It does help.

 

[Travlr]

I had a strange experience yesterday evening. I gave them some treats to get them out of the circle, which led to them eventually lying down. Once they were down, I sat with them, played chill music on my phone and gave them massages. Eventually my mama cow rolled over and let me rub her belly.

I think you just wanted an excuse to rub your pet cow's belly and give them treats. But maybe the cows are training you...

 

[AmandaQ]

I think you just wanted an excuse to rub your pet cow's belly and give them treats. But maybe the cows are training you...

She hasn't rolled over and let me rub her belly since she was pregnant, it did make me happy!

 

[AmandaQ]

I couldn't help but chuckle out loud at the last part of your story!

It sounds to me like ya got it under control.

I've started leaving my radio in the pickup on while I feed/check cows etc. Its weird but the cows actually seem to enjoy it. Hard to explain. But they just seem calmer. Weird huh?

I play music with them because I like it but I'm glad it's something that works for them as well.

 

[TexasJerseyMilker]

Dairy farmers play music in the barns because the cows give more milk. Usually it is Mexican music the workers select but cows don't understand the lyrics anyway. In my experience cows hates things that are unusual. Even a pile of rocks that wasn't there before is regarded with suspicion and less milk for weeks. A bunch of cows over there mooing in distress, it's understandable and you knew how to calm them down.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

I always have a radio in the barn on. If they only hear your own voice, any stranger talking is upsetting to them when penned in small stalls. With a radio playing, they get used to un-ending number of voices!

 

[Ky hills]

Anything out of the ordinary can make cattle nervous.
It can be dangerous if they get spooked and bolt and run. They can run right over a person in their path or through a fence.
I've seen cattle get scared over iced over ground, it makes a noise from the pressure of them standing on it and can cause them to pretty much stampede.
Sometimes fireworks can upset them.
Anything different can set them on edge.
I remember a time we had some lumber in the barn lot ready for the workers to do sone barn repair stacked close to a gate where the cattle came in through. They all stopped and looked at it and most kind of sidestepped fast by it. One particular Brahman Hereford cross cow refused to come in the lot until the lumber was gone.
We have a right of way that divides part of our land and when we move cattle to the far field as we call it we shut gates at the road and block off below with truck and gates and toll the cattle through the gate and across the driveway and through another gate. The driveway is faded blacktop and not a real problem to get most cows moved, but have one purebred Hereford that absolutely refuses to step on it. She's kind of flighty to begin with.

 

[branxchar&charx]

I play rock music in my vehicle wen out feeding. Calves don't like it at first but they get used to it.

 

[Brute 23]

They will get use to it.

 

[AmandaQ]

Anything out of the ordinary can make cattle nervous.
It can be dangerous if they get spooked and bolt and run. They can run right over a person in their path or through a fence.
I've seen cattle get scared over iced over ground, it makes a noise from the pressure of them standing on it and can cause them to pretty much stampede.
Sometimes fireworks can upset them.
Anything different can set them on edge.
I remember a time we had some lumber in the barn lot ready for the workers to do sone barn repair stacked close to a gate where the cattle came in through. They all stopped and looked at it and most kind of sidestepped fast by it. One particular Brahman Hereford cross cow refused to come in the lot until the lumber was gone.
We have a right of way that divides part of our land and when we move cattle to the far field as we call it we shut gates at the road and block off below with truck and gates and toll the cattle through the gate and across the driveway and through another gate. The driveway is faded blacktop and not a real problem to get most cows moved, but have one purebred Hereford that absolutely refuses to step on it. She's kind of flighty to begin with.

I'll be careful when I see them spooked again. Giant animals not thinking clearly in close proximity. I don't want to get squashed like a bug!

 

[sunnyblueskies]

Let them get a bit excited and bouncy in the pasture, it doesn't hurt them, unless the whole herd is going nuts and running for the fence or while you want to work them. They can't be chill, laying down and chewing their cud their whole life.
You said they have heard the commotion of the rodeo next door before, it's different, but not unknown to them.
Personally I would never try to calm an excited cow down standing beside it. I wouldn't want to get pushed or run over.
Suppose all one can do is keep an eye on the situation or remove 'them' from the situation if it is a small pasture. Even if it is just for the time of the rodeo.

That's just my 5 cents and that's all. The question made me think of a cow/horse comparison. A horse you might be able to put on a halter and talk them down, or at least secure from running for the fence......... don't think you would be physically able to do that with a cow.

 

[mwj]

I think our idea of excited and the ops could be quite different.

 

[backhoeboogie]

I play rock music in my vehicle wen out feeding. Calves don't like it at first but they get used to it.

If they start doing the twist you might have a problem!

 

[bvf]

im gonna turn radio on in the den right now, the wife might like it, ill let yall know...

 

[MACVSOG]

I had a strange experience yesterday evening. Yesterday morning, I had moved my cows to our front pasture that has a horse arena in it. They prefer to stay in the back pasture because it is bigger, has lots of trees and isn't right next to the road. But I'm doing my best to utilize all of my space so they will need to eat all the grass in front before they can go back where they want to be. We went to dinner and when we returned, the three cows were in a circular, defensive stance. The calf didn't seem upset but she was in formation. The two older cows were agitated because the neighbor behind us have rodeos once a month and this one was a doozie! The PA was blaring but we could hear those other cows were very upset. My cows have heard the activity in the past but this time seemed much worse than before. I gave them some treats to get them out of the circle, which led to them eventually lying down. Once they were down, I sat with them, played chill music on my phone and gave them massages. Eventually my mama cow rolled over and let me rub her belly. The cud chewing started and I knew I could go back inside. I am assuming this is not a normal tactic you all use. Just wondering how real operations handle distress?

i have had few cows over the years that i called pets. they eat from my hand and i rub their neck always with an eye on them. i am impressed that you have a cow that rolls over and lets you and rub her belly. my current dog likes a belly rub sometime, but when he has enough he snaps at me, growls and leaves. we get along fine.

"back in the day" if i were listening to "chill" music it would include jimi hendrix after woodstock, 1966 and later,led zeppelin, and definitely in-a-gadda-da-vida were good for a helicopter ride.

unaware of your terrain/area. could a roaming coyote or cat be a source of fright your cattle? the phalanx formation is something watusi definitely do protect their young.

 

[SBMF 2015]

We play hard rock in the bull barn for the last month/6weeks before the sale. It seems to help. They don't seem as concerned about the loud noises at the auction.

 

[AmandaQ]

i have had few cows over the years that i called pets. they eat from my hand and i rub their neck always with an eye on them. i am impressed that you have a cow that rolls over and lets you and rub her belly. my current dog likes a belly rub sometime, but when he has enough he snaps at me, growls and leaves. we get along fine.

"back in the day" if i were listening to "chill" music it would include jimi hendrix after woodstock, 1966 and later,led zeppelin, and definitely in-a-gadda-da-vida were good for a helicopter ride.

unaware of your terrain/area. could a roaming coyote or cat be a source of fright your cattle? the phalanx formation is something watusi definitely do protect their young.