Rockhollow1009
Member
We just got 2 new mini frame 0 hereford cows with calves on their side and 2 yearling heifers. The heifers have become very tame in the last few weeks... put the halter on them, "force cuddled them" while in a chute, they have learned quickly my presence means food and scratches, and when in a pen i can walk up and scratch them, and moving them they are quiet and cooperative. The one momma cow is also fairly quiet and behaves the same and her bull calf enjoys a butt scratch without complaining if i have them locked inside. The problem is the one cow and her heifer calf. I can walk up to the cow and scratch her when in an emclosed area, but any attempt to move her or if she gets a hint i am up to anything and want her in shes pawing at the ground, bawling, and going the opposite direction I want her to. Once shes in shes fine to work around...
But her heifer calf is NUTS. At 7 weeks old, shes a stoudt 150 lbs at least, and if i so much as walk by her in the pen she will NAIL me in the shins. I have haltered her till she calmed down and scratched her till she all but fell asleep, Cornered her and just scratched for a while, tried to get her to eat out of my hand multiple times etc, to learn i mean happiness and scratches but she remains wild. Not just wild, but will actually turn her butt towards me in the pen and kick at me if im walking by. Tonight while AI'ing the big gals i was walking thru the pen and she spun around and nailed me in the shin it all but dropped me to my knees... she isnt joking when she kicks... she could easily compare once shes bigger to my old mule when he would kick. Ive been around cattle since i was younger, showed steers and had dairy cattle as well, etc but should i cut my losses with this one and sell her or ship her? Im afraid i will never be able to trust her. Years ago i had my jaw dislocated by a psycho show steer that i should have shipped and my typical rule is if they arent quiet they go down the road, but i cant help but want to think i can tame the crazy out of this one since shes so young. Shes a super nice looking calf and i would love to keep her as a replacement. Anyone else have experience? If a calfs this crazy at 7 weeks should i just give up?
But her heifer calf is NUTS. At 7 weeks old, shes a stoudt 150 lbs at least, and if i so much as walk by her in the pen she will NAIL me in the shins. I have haltered her till she calmed down and scratched her till she all but fell asleep, Cornered her and just scratched for a while, tried to get her to eat out of my hand multiple times etc, to learn i mean happiness and scratches but she remains wild. Not just wild, but will actually turn her butt towards me in the pen and kick at me if im walking by. Tonight while AI'ing the big gals i was walking thru the pen and she spun around and nailed me in the shin it all but dropped me to my knees... she isnt joking when she kicks... she could easily compare once shes bigger to my old mule when he would kick. Ive been around cattle since i was younger, showed steers and had dairy cattle as well, etc but should i cut my losses with this one and sell her or ship her? Im afraid i will never be able to trust her. Years ago i had my jaw dislocated by a psycho show steer that i should have shipped and my typical rule is if they arent quiet they go down the road, but i cant help but want to think i can tame the crazy out of this one since shes so young. Shes a super nice looking calf and i would love to keep her as a replacement. Anyone else have experience? If a calfs this crazy at 7 weeks should i just give up?