Keeping condition on cattle during shows

[Jotto]

Has anyone got any tips for reducing stress and keeping condition on cattle at shows? Whenever we go away for a hoof and hook, the cattle go off their feed in varying amounts, sometimes will not drink as much as they would normally and look hollowed out a bit in the flanks come show day. Is there something I could be doing or adding to feed to help them settle in?
Thanks so much

 

[vc]

Cattle get used to eating at the same time out of the same feeder, as well as drinking out of the same trough i would try:

Cellarator to help keep them on feed and reduce some of the stress, administer prior to leaving for the show and then again at the show. Feed them in the pans you plan on using at the show a few days prior to the show so they are used to them. If they go off of the feed a little I will try and keep hay in front of them to at least keep them full looking.
I would bucket water them for a few days prior to the show for the same reason. We used to put molasses in the water a week before our county fair since the water at the fair facilities was not the best, the molasses helped mask the smell/taste of the water.

Don't know if that heps but that is some of the things we have tried

 

[OLD WORLD SHORTIE]

Never really understood this issue. Maybe the first or second time out to a show they might do this. We really don't have a problem with them eating or drinking. Sometimes I'll filter the water if they don't like the smell of it. Never had to use any products to keep my cattle looking fresh though.

 

[obie105]

Sure champ seems to help. We also feed out of pans tied year round or with calves a few weeks before the show so they know and like the smell. Also water out of buckets a few times also. We haven't had a problem in years.

 

[AAOK]

Lots of good advice above. 

Cattle are creatures of habit. Go to more shows, and the calves will adjust quickly.

Just my opinion. I don't wish to offend anyone with the statement below.  For the time and money involved, why would anyone attend only 2 - 4 shows a year? 

 

[Cardinal_Crest_Shorthorns]

What do some of you think about watering out of larger tubs at shows instead of buckets? We have used larger tubs (hold about 30 gallons) instead of 5 gallon buckets for years and we like that instead. Cattle are prey animals and naturally feel uncomfortable putting their head in a closed space, they can drink the same volume out of a larger tub without putting their nose as far into it, and will often drink more (at least that is my theory). I have worked for numerous people that water out of 5 gal buckets, it seems that some calves will drink the bucket empty and stop without paying attention to the next bucket you offer, maybe with a larger tub they would have not stopped drinking at 4 or 5 gallons. Also leading the cattle to the end of the stall to the tub, instead of carrying a bucket to the cattle, is one more opportunity to make the cattle stretch and move around a little. plus they don't typically drink out of 5 gallon buckets at home

 

[Medium Rare]

If you have a picky one, spike the water with a flavor adder at home for a while before you leave.

Can of sprite, tea, beer, Kool-aid mix, whatever you want to use to make the show's water smell and taste like home.  Finding a bucket or tub bigger than 5 gallons helps with them drinking it dry and ignoring he next one you bring.