Two Questions

[renegade]

First that limi-flex steer is really good at setting up and he's a really sweet boy except when i walk im in more open spaces or "toward the barn" he wants to run off and drag me across the ground. I have tried several things and he has let up a little but if he cant get his head away then he just backs up or walks sideways instead of turning around. He is really strong headed and i would like some suggestions on how to break this if anyone has any.

Next, there really isnt any grass hay to be had around this valley so im getting oat/grass hay to feed the steers so that i dont have to feed this grass/alfalfa because it still gives them that kinda sunken in look. Are there any other ways to get them to not look sunken in and will oat/alfalfa be ok?

 

[fluffer]

Your steer is probably trying to run back to the barn.  Are there other cattle there?  Either way he is heading back to where he gets fed, watered and turned loose.  That is something you will fight everyday no matter how broke he is.  The only way I can think of breaking him of this is maybe walk him in smaller circles close to the barn and work your way away from the barn as he gets better...if that makes sence and I understand your problem.  Our show heifers always tried to pull that with us, and all I can figure is all their friends are in the barn and they get turned loose there too.  You may also try bringing out another steer or heifer and tying them the other way from the barn.  That may or may not work.  Good luck!

 

[KDSC]

How much of the grass/alfalfa mix are you feeding?? If you only feed a flake or two a day they should be fine. Oat/grass hay on the other hand I am not sure of, I know with oat hay you run the risk of bloat, but I do know a family in Nebraska, feeds straight oat hay, and feed to their calves, and they don't ever have any problem. So I would say with your oat, grass mix you should be fine, but I my guess is that if you feed it free choice, they will get that same look

Now with the steer, I can guarantee Some one will object to this. but This WONT hurt your steer. If you have a small tractor, or an ATV, put 2 halters or 2 lead ropes. and tie one of them to the back, and hold onto the other, just like you were walking him, and go out side the pen, and when he tries to get away he wont be able to and he will think you were the one holding on to him and he will start respecting you.

NOW lets see how many people say " I would NEVER tie my steer/heifer to the back of a tractor" I have done it quite a few times, to quite a few different kind of calves, and they were all FINE!!!! most of the people that say they would never do it, most of them HAVEN'T tried it.

 

[shortyisqueen]

Renegade,
If your steer is well-broke and acting up anyways (he knows he's being bad by heading towards the barn but does it anyways), I find a good solution to this and most behavior problems is to tie them up for three days straight. Lead them to water, lead them to food, but when you're not working them (day or night), they are tied (low enough so that they can lay down). Usually, them 'walking' on you is a respect thing, and you have to basically prove that you are the 'lead cow'. By showing them that they get to be let go ONLY when you want to let them go, they realize that they have to do exactly what you want, or they won't be being let go at all.

Good luck with your calf!

 

[renegade]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will try all of them. the only thing about tieing them up for three days strait is that im scared of one of them getting caught up.

With the oat do they feed grain too? My dad just found some $80 ton grass hay and if its not all gone im gonna buy some!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KDSC]

yes they feed a noramal feed along with it if I remeber right, I will try and get ahold of them and make sure.

 

[farmboy]

hes goin back to see his buddies in the barn,chad one get lose 1 time, and he ran and went right up to the door and waited for me lol

 

[shortyisqueen]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will try all of them. the only thing about tieing them up for three days strait is that im scared of one of them getting caught up.

Just make sure your calf is well-broke (way past the stage where they will struggle) before you tie him up for three days and you will have no problems - It is the same as leaving them tied over night at a show. Just make sure, when you tie them down, that you don't give them more than about a foot and a half of loose rope. This is an 'attitude adjustment' rather than a 'still breaking' method. Calves are pretty smart - they figure out the punishment pretty quick!

I usually do this to all of my cattle at some point in their training. A bit of a bonus is that once my cattle get to a show, they settle in quickly and fill up quickly as well, as they are used to staying over night, drinking out of a bucket, etc.

 

[renegade]

I see what you mean, i guess it just seems diffrent since they are at home (i dont know why  ))) He is way past the stage of struggling. He really is a good calf with a lot of personality ( his favorite thing to do...when he isnt mad at me... is to put his nose up to my face and smell it and sometimes lay his head on my chest at the same time). OMG i didnt think about but maybe thats part of the reason he doesnt respect me, he thinks its ok to go face to face with me, but he backs down when hes in trouble so idk?