Growing hair without the best facilities..

[heatherleblanc]

There was another topic that was saying it's best to just have cold and dark for growing hair.  My problem is, I only have a small barn (it's really more of a 10' by 15' shed) without doors, so I can't get it very dark or cold.  I slicked out my heifer, and am trying to grow back a nice, full coat.  I am currently rinsing with ice cold water two-three times a day (at 6am, 2pm and sometimes again at 8pm) until she gets a chill, then tying her in the "barn" with a fan until dusk.  Is there anything else I could be doing, or anything I should be doing differently?  I have heard many mixed reviews on whether or not to use oils and/or conditioners daily, any more opinions on this?

 

[GoWyo]

Maybe look at putting up a shade cloth or even a tarp across the opening of the shed and leave the bottom about 2 feet off the ground.  Then tie your heifer in the shed and put a butt fan on her.  You can make it a little fancier by using the Sullivan's arctic circle on the butt fan or what may be even better is just some small garden/landscape misters hanging from the rafters.  It does not take much mist to cool the area by 10 or more degrees especially with the butt fan going.

 

[obie105]

Rinse like you have been doing and try to tie under fans. I agree when tied try to have a tarp or something over some of the opening. Misters do wonders. I have worked with some less than ideal conditions and seem to do alright.

 

[heatherleblanc]

I'll go pick up and install a mister tomorrow, and see about getting some cheap plywood to cover the opening.  Thank you! 

 

[RankeCattleCo]

Make sure your mister has a filter so that it won't clog with minerals and such.

 

[FriedgesCharolais]

I have the same kind of situation as you as far as facilities goes because I have stalls in the lean to of a barn and one end is open. Last year i had a heifer that had great hair, granted I don't know where you live, but people thought she was in a cooler and I just had her under a fan. The one thing you have to remember is that with a heifer she needs some sunlight to cycle and ultimately that is the goal with any show heifer is for her to be a cow.

 

[heatherleblanc]

I have heard that before, do you know exactly what it is about the light that is related to cycling?  I plan on breeding her on her next heat.  Once she is bred, will there be a problem with the dark?

 

[okiegirl]

Be careful with the misters  They will puddle water and you can end up with foot rot.  Put them on a timer

 

[jwfarms]

I always tell people great hair growth starts with genetics.  Lot easier to grow hair if you have a good starting point.

 

[DLD]

I'd really try to find shade cloth to block the sun rather than something solid (we get them at Harbor Freight - they're really reasonable).  Without a cooler of some sort, you need all the fresh air you can get.  On the misters, try to find some of those "patio misters" or something else designed to cool off space for people - they'll be much lower volume than farm/garden type spray nozzles.  Sounds like you're on the right track.