Bright Raven
Well-known member
I put out my first rolls of hay last evening. A storm came in last night so I decided to open the Sanctuary.
This is the 5th year of setting this up. I stretch a wire about hip pocket high across the gate into the lot in front of the shop. I do not energize it unless I start getting a cow that pushes through the wire. I don't like to risk shocking a calf because the ones that get shocked become reluctant to come under the wire.
I also put out the first feed. These calves range from 10 weeks old to 3 weeks old. Got up this morning and the calves were in the sanctuary. In the years I have set up the sanctuary, this is the fastest results I have gotten. About half the calves were in the sanctuary this morning.
Picture 1. The hot wire that allows the calves to come under but keeps the cows out. The wire is a heavy copper ground wire and to energize it, I attach the electric fence wire on top the left post:
Picture 2. I put out a half bucket of feed. This is the first year of using this feed. 16 % protein. Low levels of grain such as corn. I want growth, not fat. It has several substrate compounds, including probiotics and vitamins.
Picture 3. I put that feed out this morning. Within 30 minutes, I came back and 3 calves were already exploding the feed.
Picture 4. The calves can also enter the shop. These calves were in the shop when I went out early this morning. Amazing how fast they adapt.
This is the 5th year of setting this up. I stretch a wire about hip pocket high across the gate into the lot in front of the shop. I do not energize it unless I start getting a cow that pushes through the wire. I don't like to risk shocking a calf because the ones that get shocked become reluctant to come under the wire.
I also put out the first feed. These calves range from 10 weeks old to 3 weeks old. Got up this morning and the calves were in the sanctuary. In the years I have set up the sanctuary, this is the fastest results I have gotten. About half the calves were in the sanctuary this morning.
Picture 1. The hot wire that allows the calves to come under but keeps the cows out. The wire is a heavy copper ground wire and to energize it, I attach the electric fence wire on top the left post:
Picture 2. I put out a half bucket of feed. This is the first year of using this feed. 16 % protein. Low levels of grain such as corn. I want growth, not fat. It has several substrate compounds, including probiotics and vitamins.
Picture 3. I put that feed out this morning. Within 30 minutes, I came back and 3 calves were already exploding the feed.
Picture 4. The calves can also enter the shop. These calves were in the shop when I went out early this morning. Amazing how fast they adapt.
