Joining groups of in-calf cows together

munkus

Hi Guys,

Wonder if ye would have any advice. About six weeks before the in-calf cows go into the shed (December), the group are split in two to graze on different areas. When they are put into the shed six weeks later they have to be kept seperate or they'd kill each other. Sometimes we'd try and let them mix at night a few weeks later but you'd always be afraid they could get hurt.

Is there any knack to doing this without the drama?

Thanks,

Munkus.

Kovu

munkus wrote: »

Hi Guys,

Wonder if ye would have any advice. About six weeks before the in-calf cows go into the shed (December), the group are split in two to graze on different areas. When they are put into the shed six weeks later they have to be kept seperate or they'd kill each other. Sometimes we'd try and let them mix at night a few weeks later but you'd always be afraid they could get hurt.

Is there any knack to doing this without the drama?

Thanks,

Munkus.

What we've always done is to have them finishing grazing in fields with a gate between them, so the cattle can sniff at each other and get used to their reacquainted shedmates. We couldn't split them in separate pens in the shed from the way our shed is built, we need to have certain animals in a pen with a closing off area at the back, plus bad feet on the mats and non dominant animals to be put in the pen with no closing off. Don't know if you're in the same situation. Drama will always happen, this seems to minimise it for us though, you will always get the animals that like to fight....:(

Bizzum

munkus wrote: »

Is there any knack to doing this without the drama?

If there is I'd like to know it!
We often have to mix a few and it always puts the heart crossways in me.
We try to withold the grub and feed immediately after mixing, to try to distract them.

pakalasa

A couple of things I've noticed. There is a hierarcy in cattle usually based on their age. The funny thing is the top Mamas are often the smallest. They seem to be able to get down lower to puck or something. A bit like a rugby prop.:D So if you know the cows that always seem to be fighting each other keep them in the same group. It helps some bit anyway. When they are mixed they fight for the top Mama position again.
If the ground is wet too, they are more likely to break a leg, or in a yard puck up against a wall. Jasus, I've seen some right scraps. Cows with steam coming out their nostrils, literally trying to kill one another. Time to seperate then and let them cool down.

munkus

Thanks guys,

Great advice as usual!

Munkus.