Rope a Calf?

[JDTEN]

I'm new. I'm trying to separate a calf from the herd but I can't get her to go into my temporary panel pen and I don't have any working facility built yet. If I can rope her and haul her in there using a pickup, will it work or will it choke her to death?

 

[Bigfoot]

That sounds like a bad idea. Wait till it goes in your panels.

 

[Deepsouth]

Will it's mother go in? If you haven't tried that yet try penning them both. Calves usually follow momma.

 

[Rafter S]

That sounds like a bad idea. Wait till it goes in your panels.

I agree. And welcome to the forum.

 

[jedstivers]

Not to be a smart azz or short with you but if you have to ask then no.
You have a little more learning to do.
Fortunately you are in the right place.
If someone doesn't know they right answer you'll get a answer anyway.
Welcome.

 

[M-5]

How big is calf? Do you have a trailer? My suggestion would be to get 4 panels , rope calf then set up 4 panels around calf the use trailer to move calf.

 

[Ryder]

If I can rope her and haul her in there using a pickup, will it work or will it choke her to death?

I think you mean too pull her in using your truck?
Depends on how far and how long it will take. I would rope her and just go easy and have someone watch to see if the calf started to really choke. If so, then stop and loosen up the rope to give some air then carry on.

Might also tie a knot, maybe a bowline, that will not slip and tighten up on the neck.
Can you use a halter? Less chance of choking.

 

[Brute 23]

Why do you need to separate the calf?

I agree that I would not start roping and dragging stuff. The calf should follow it's momma in.

 

[wacocowboy]

Not sure how big of a calf we are talking about but I would never pull an animal with a vehichle. Best thing would be to lure it in the pens with feed. If you cant lure it find somebody with a horse who can rope.

 

[rynophiliac]

Easiest way is to get the momma and calf in as a pair, the momma will always go in first, you can entice them with alfalfa or cubes. Then you can let the momma out but keep the calf in. If you can't get the momma to go in then you can rope the calf and flank it, tie up the legs (watch out they like to kick) then you can throw it on your horse or quad seat and take it where you want it.

 

[JSCATTLE]

I'd rope it and drag it into a trailer .. or tie it and do whatever it is you need to do .. I've roped cows in the pasture and tied them to my tractor in order to Dr them .. just depends on how mad I get when they won't go in the pen

 

[LRTX1]

If you can get the cow in your pen make a creep gate so the calf can go in and the cow can't get out. Leave the cow in there until the calf goes in then shut the gate.

 

[Hippie Rancher]

Hopefully this got solved since the original post was over a month ago.

 

[backhoeboogie]

In a crisis, I have roped and doctored. If its not a crisis, wait.

Lots of people get cattle ahead of working pens. I don't know why but they do. Its sort of like buying a trailer with nothing to pull it with, from my perspective. You can do an awful lot with a medina hinged gate, if you have to. That's all anyone had, back in the day.