calming hyper show calf

[itlldo]

Does anyone have ideas on how to calm a high strung show calf?  Thanks

 

[flacowman]

Had a calf last year that liked to run, buck, kick, bounce, anything but walk right at shows and there was a rodeo arena next to the barn and i took him up there and turned him loose and ran around with him for about 20 minutes early on the morning of the show and it did wonders.  First time I ever did that but I have walked the fool out of several at shows to release the energy.  Give them time to rest before fittin time or he'll be cranky...just get rid of the extra energy.  I've used show cattle calm and found that if they were bad enough to need something then it wasn't strong enough and if it did work they really didn't need it after all, had a couple fall asleep in the ring on it though 8)

 

[flacowman]

Just reread your post and realized that if you mean he's just of a nervous disposition then that probably wont help you...in that case try to expose him to as many new things/sounds/people as you can at home just like socializing a dog.  Hope some of that helps  <beer>

 

[Burnetaggie99]

Use Quietex and crushed Melatonin 5mg pills in a drench.

 

[Show Heifer]

I agree with flacowman. Instead of using drugs (which generally do not work and many are used illegally) expose your calf to EVERYTHING at home in a safe environment. Play a loud radio, have kids run around, pop balloons, drive by them with tractors and 4 wheelers. Walk by them with ballloons. Basically do anything that is new to the calf. Do it slowly enough not to freak out the calf, but sudden enough to "spook" it, so it realizes that even if it is new and scary, it will no hurt them and the calf learns not to be skiddish. It will be slow process so I hope this isn't a "the show is next week and we just got the calf in" type of situation.

Also, keep in mind, some calves just will not calm down. Some just have that nervous gene/attitude and just do not make good show calves. If that is the case, I would recommend you accept that idea and do not show the calf. Please do not risk getting anyone hurt. It honestly isn't worth it.

 

[MillwoodFarms]

ace, ace, and more ace in moderation

 

[Jeferin]

How many 3mg Melatonin pills should you give to a 900 lbs heifer and when should you feed it? How long should they be on it before show day?

 

[BCCC]

Radio Playing in the barn all the time. Give him some everclear and you'll be able to work with him enough at home that you won't need at the show.

 

[Rock_N_Roll_Ranch]

How many 3mg Melatonin pills should you give to a 900 lbs heifer and when should you feed it? How long should they be on it before show day?

Well you can start with 25 and work your way up but i would just mix in the heifers feed and you would try at least a wek before showday and if that dont work there are other things you can try.

 

[Simmimom]

We have actually moved show calves from home (where it is convenient to have them) to a show barn where there is a lot more unpredictable activity.  Also know someone who moved their calves to a riding stable.  Having kids, strollers, visitors, etc. around for several weeks is very helpful.  We have used Sullivan's Calf calm before with good results too.  1 1/2 times the dose on the tube and starting 24 hours before loading the trailers.  Don't forget to practice showing with other calves in the ring too.

 

[Jeferin]

How many 3mg Melatonin pills should you give to a 900 lbs heifer and when should you feed it? How long should they be on it before show day?

Well you can start with 25 and work your way up but i would just mix in the heifers feed and you would try at least a wek before showday and if that dont work there are other things you can try.

Thanks

 

[showsteerdlux]

I agree with BCCC about the everclear, except we use either Bitrone, or sometimes Burnetts if we're in a pinch, mix it with sprite and I've seen some pretty wild calves calm right down.

 

[Aussie]

We always have some chickens running in and out the barn when we feed they flap about and are unpredictable. As well as music and kids.Ace is good but can make you lazy try doing the work first. No good you having a nice animal someone wants to buy for their kid because it is nice and quiet only to find when they get it home it is a lunatic. Not good for the reputation.

 

[rasor club calves]

just letting them run around in 45 *45 or so pen does wonders . there not exactly hyper there just got alot of energy and ned to get rid of it . if your trying gain alot of fat and weight  this is not recomended.

 

[BCCC]

I agree with BCCC about the everclear, except we use either Bitrone, or sometimes Burnetts if we're in a pinch, mix it with sprite and I've seen some pretty wild calves calm right down.

Have you ever seen a calf drink ever clear straight? They get about the same face that people do <beer>

 

[RCF Farms]

[Use a tube of calf calm from sullivan's. Use to give a tube before every show, lasts 3 to 4 hours, all natural

 

[vc]

Put him on GLU-Coat, we had a steer this year that was (for lack of a better word) a turd. We put all of the steers on Glu-coat, but about 3 weeks into feeding it the steer that had issues just relaxed. Went from fighting you at every step to a typical steer, I am sure it was the working them everyday that played the biggest role but the Glu-coat seemed to take the edge off of him. Glu-coat is a all natural top dress with a molasses base, no drugs.