Seperation Anxiety

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klintdog

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We've got 3 bulls that we're currently feeding together. Today I had to pull one of them out to get health papers and he went nuts, as soon as he was back with his buddies he calmed down. I'm a little worried right now since he'll be heading to the next show by himself.

Does anyone know of some sure-fire ways of getting animals used to being off by themselves and breaking that bond that seems to develop?
 
I've thought about just pulling him into a pen by himself, but I really don't want to throw him off feed before we take off for Denver in 2 weeks. Any potential behavior issues to worry about if we put him by himself?
 
Are they all going to Denver? If not I would split them up now and spend extra time with him and give him extra tlc. Might be easier to get him used to being alone at home rather that at the show.
 
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He'll be the only one going to Denver. The 3 of them are together now since they'll be sold together at the end of the month. How far away would you move them to try and break it? The pen right next door, or down the hall a bit?
 
Oh, I hate separation anxiety in show cattle.

I showed a pair of square meater heifers a few years ago, they were perfectly fine and I had no inclination that there was a problem . . . till I took them out in the ring. They were in seperate, consecutive classes. Both of them were nutcases. They would not stand still, they were jumping, kicking, one put her head down and charged off into the limousin ring next to us, the other one charged off and climbed up the bleachers which were full of people (with me still in tow, in both cases) -- oh boy, they were completely nutty.

I've never been able to cure it totally. Best thing I have found is to prevent it, rather than cure it. But just try leading him away from the others, by himself, just for a short time, then increase the time he spends away from them.

Good luck with the separation anxiety, and good luck in Denver!

Oh by the way,

Any potential behavior issues to worry about if we put him by himself?
Click to expand...

Yep, he will most likely go off his feed, lose weight, stress, may be restless, kicking or flighty when you try to handle him.

The worst case I had, the steer was lifting the gate off its hinges (heavy duty cattle panels) to break out. He broke everything in the yard, the steel drinking bowl, the steel water pipe, the feed troughs, the gates . . . the posts in my show cattle yards have never been the same since - they are concreted in, and the sucker managed to move them. Course, he was a crazy son of a ----- since the day I got him. That was why he and another steer had been left home while I took the rest to a show. Oh boy, he let me know he didnt appreciate it in the slightest. Needless to say, he came to the show. Needless to say, it was a terminal show. I was so happy to put him on the truck off to the slaughter :lol:
 
Not only separate, but try to keep them from seeing one another duing the day. I used to have to deal with it all the time. I hate it TOO!
 
Is he a Gelbvieh bull? I know gelbvieh's have an even worse problem with it.
 
Is he the only one you are taking to Denver?

If so you will more than likely have problems. Not a good idea to only take one animal especially if you are already having trouble.
 
He's the only one we're taking down, but we're going to be stallign with some other people down there. He seems to be fine when he's in the barn by himself, but as soon as he's in the trailer he loses his mind. Once he's off the trailer and can see his buddies again he calms down. I'm not sure if the issue is him being away from his buddies, or the trailer itself.

We had him in Billings for the NILE and he was fine out there, but he was also with a couple of heifers the whole week.
 
klintdog":30m359cu said:
He's the only one we're taking down, but we're going to be stallign with some other people down there. He seems to be fine when he's in the barn by himself, but as soon as he's in the trailer he loses his mind. Once he's off the trailer and can see his buddies again he calms down. I'm not sure if the issue is him being away from his buddies, or the trailer itself.

We had him in Billings for the NILE and he was fine out there, but he was also with a couple of heifers the whole week.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a wreck waiting to happen. I would not haul him by himself.
 
Is there any way you can haul another animal with him? Maybe take one of your buddies so he isn't alone in the trailer. How big is he? Maybe try some calf calm to see if it helps?
 

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