Opinions on pumping

[4Ts4H]

We just took our Herf heifers to get hooves done, and the guy said that we should pump them to give them more shape and volume in the rib.  We have never done anything like that before!

How would one go about it?
And if we do it, do we just do it once?
Or do we have to repeat it every so often?
How do we know if our steers may be in need of the same thing? ??? ??? ???

 

[Dusty]

It's not something that you do at home on a regular basis it is something to add fill on show day.  I would say to do it if the animal needs more fill, looking a little gant etc..  Sullivan's sells a pump that works pretty well.  You just put the open end in their mouth and don't try and force it, just kind of make them swallow it. Kind of like tubing a baby calf. Then stick the pump end in a bucket of water and then pump to desired fullness.  If you do it a few times the calf will sometimes just get used to it and not even really fight it anymore.
Pumping is usually not outlawed at the jackpots, but pumping is prohibited at most county and state fairs.  So if you are going to do it make sure you go to the trailer or somewhere where no one can see.  Some people will throw a fit if they see you doing it.

 

[Jill]

Wow, I can't believe he would make that kind of blanket statement!  I guess there are 2 ways of pumping 1. is to fill with water show day-unlike some of the folks on this board, I see nothing wrong with that as long as the rules don't state no pumping.  I'm guessing he was talking about 2. pumping with air and this I have a big problem with.  You might ask him to clarify what he actually means by pumping.

 

[red]

maybe he meant adding more fill w/ feed? I'd find out first?

Red

 

[dagrate1s]

I find nothing wrong with pumping at shows either, as long as it is not prohibited. You have to make sure the water is room temperature tho or else you can make the calf sick or throw their temperature way out of wack by giving them a stomach full of cold water or too hot water. Also, do not pump the water too fast or else you can make them throw up. Just go slow and take your time.

Craig

 

[4Ts4H]

Wow, I can't believe he would make that kind of blanket statement!  I guess there are 2 ways of pumping 1. is to fill with water show day-unlike some of the folks on this board, I see nothing wrong with that as long as the rules don't state no pumping.  I'm guessing he was talking about 2. pumping with air and this I have a big problem with.  You might ask him to clarify what he actually means by pumping.

He was talking about stomach pumping.  I know about doing it on show day, but have never gone to anything but a 4H show, so never gave it a second thought.  I guess what I am questioning is doing this early - we won't be showing until the middle of May.  I didn't have the time to ask him to clarify, I just thought I could get some guidence here.

Maybe I see that if you pump them and stretch the stomach, that they then could hold more forage and in turn show more shape through the rib...but how often would it be safe to do this?

 

[Jill]

No, pumping them show day is just to give them the correct amount of fill, I see no benefit to doing it any other time if that is what he was talking about.

 

[CAB]

If your heifers are gaining good enough for you, look into feeding some beet pulp to fill them out some.  I would also take the suggestion with a grain of salt. You more than likely know your calves better than anyone else does, if you are very new to the game, find a mentor that you fully trust and see if you can get them to come and evaluate your calves as to where they're @ as far as their condition goes.

 

[4Ts4H]

If your heifers are gaining good enough for you, look into feeding some beet pulp to fill them out some.  I would also take the suggestion with a grain of salt. You more than likely know your calves better than anyone else does, if you are very new to the game, find a mentor that you fully trust and see if you can get them to come and evaluate your calves as to where they're @ as far as their condition goes.

Thanks CAB.  IMHO, the heifers are not all that bad.  As of now, they have such stout tops that they seem to be flat.  But, having seen them everyday, I have seen them fuller looking on some days over others.

 

[NHR]

We have never pumped one of our animals. The risk you take is to great, you can actually drown your animal if the water goes down into the lungs. We train our animals to drink when water is put in front of them. If the show time is in the morning then we dont water the night before, if showtime is late in the day then we begin holding water in the morning. To make sure your animal will drink in this scenario you need to practice at home doing this. We feed extra beet pulp before letting them drink so that the fill out after drinking. A little work at home will help you when at the show.

 

[CAB]

I have to agree with you NHR. We have never had to pump one. IMO, there are too many risks also, but I don't play with the big boys.

 

[Kupfarm]

We have never pumped one of our animals. The risk you take is to great, you can actually drown your animal if the water goes down into the lungs. We train our animals to drink when water is put in front of them. If the show time is in the morning then we dont water the night before, if showtime is late in the day then we begin holding water in the morning. To make sure your animal will drink in this scenario you need to practice at home doing this. We feed extra beet pulp before letting them drink so that the fill out after drinking. A little work at home will help you when at the show.

I totally agree with you also.  That how we did the watering too.  We also used kool-aid or food coloring to help them learn to drink.  We had a couple of open shows that had funky tasting water and by starting the coloring at home for a couple of weeks they learned it was still ok to drink.  My younger sisters and I  watched our " cattle mentor" kill a calf by pumping it.  I was 12 and my younger sisters were 10 and 8 at the time.  We, not our parents,  decided right then and there that pumping was not right or fair and refused to have any contact with the mentor again.  BTW, the parents agreed with us on the issue.

 

[jason]

I am a no go on pumping, I have seen it done, but I don't think it is worth the end result.

 

[DFSC]

I second the kool-aid that is what we have always done...the water at home and on the road will always taste that same that way.

 

[4Ts4H]

We are feeding a complete feed much the same as the high end stuff.  How much pulp would be acceptable to add to that?  How much more will it help if they have free hay?  What would alfalfa hay do?  and how much?

With the KoolAid, which flavors, sweet or just a regular packet?  How much per liquid volume?  Would maybe a flavored electrolyte drink mix be good to do much the same as FireWater?
? ? ? ? ? ?

 

[Jill]

No on the Alfalfa, it is too high in protien. Ours are on free hay, opinions vary on that.  Beet pulp is great and we mix up to 1/2 of the ration for ones we are trying to hold, just remember anything you put in their feed makes less feed they are actually eating so if they still need to grow be careful about how much filler you add.

 

[knabe]

pumping is illegal with pumpkins.

 

[DFSC]

Depending on the color of your calves try to stay away from red or bright colors and  we usually got the sugar free. Try to stay with simple flavors nothing sour. I'm not sure what they make these day's but I think any clear additive would do the job. Start them on it a few days before the show and by the show day it will be no big deal for them.

 

[garybob]

pumping is illegal with pumpkins.

Ditto, Knabe!

Are Y'uns raising Beef, or Companion Animals? That's what I want to know.

GB

 

[NHR]

pumping is illegal with pumpkins.

Ditto, Knabe!

Are Y'uns raising Beef, or Companion Animals? That's what I want to know.

GB

Both if you have as much time and money invested in these animals as most of us do.