Hello from Eastern WA

[ravenwoodgrl]

Hi my name is Nancy and after about two years of thinking and looking we finally got a little yearling Dexter cow. I'm sure I will have tons of questions and I sure appreciate all the good information here.  I have never done cows before. we had milk goats for years.  I hope she will turn out to be good milk cow.  I just brought her home two days ago and she is still pretty shy.  She will come up and smell my hand and eat brush from my hand but doesn't want me to really touch her.  I have her in a small enclosure right by the house so I can keep an eye on her but I wonder if anyone has any good ideas about gentling her down.  Well she is gentle in that I can go in the pen and she doesn't spook just moves so I can't touch her.  I realize it's only been a couple of days but I sure would like to do it right.  I'd love to hear any ideas.
Nancy

[zephyrhillsusan]

Welcome, Nancy! Congratulations on your new Dexter! It actually sounds like you're doing it just right by keeping her in a small space. You could use treats like chopped apples or bits of alfalfa cubes. Put the treats in a rubber feed bowl a bit away from you so she'll come up and taste and see that it's good. Then gradually put the tub down closer and closer to you. You can tell by her body language how fast to progress in closing the gap. It might also help if you sit on an upended bucket or something so you aren't so big. Give her time to come get curious and friendly. When she does come up, try holding your hand out for her to touch it. You can move to scratching under her chin and gradually work your way to more touching.

You can also be moving around picking up manure to remove it from her pen, and she'll get used to you working around her. Just spend as much time around her as you can, especially when you bring her hay and water, so she associates good things with you.

Keep us posted how it goes!

[Dahdo]

Hi Nancy, welcome. We are almost neighbors, our farm is 45 minutes outside of Portland in Beavercreek, OR. Susan gave you some good ideas and I'll bet your heifer is coming up for scratches within a few days. Does she have any companion animals? Being here herd animals, cows are much happier when they have company. You made a nice choice getting a Dexter, enjoy!

[ravenwoodgrl]

Thanks so much for the welcome and the great advice. I will start with a treat dish for her and I know you're right. I'm sure she'll tame down quickly. Thanks again
Nancy

[cddexter]

Hi Nancy. All good advice, and it does sound like you are off to a good start. Since cattle are herd animals, I'll bet she's feeling lonely. If you don't have a companion for her, you'll have to become the substitute. Spend time with her, and you'll be her new best friend. Think of all the places the goats liked to scratch or be scratched...the same places work for cattle. If the weather is okay, even sitting in the pen reading a book, just so you are near, is a good idea, too. Let us know how you get on. cheers, carol davidson.

[kozzy]

Slow and steady. She'll accept you as her best bud in short order. Be sure and read up on being the dominant one so she doesn't end up pushing you around after she gets friendlier.

My unhandled yearling bull calf took took about a week to go from skiddish to being brushed/fully handled to give you an idea of how fast they can calm down.



Koz

[dexterfarm]

the only thing I have to add is dont be discouraged if it takes a while. Some warm right up to you others take longer.

[Pinevalleydexters]

They just need to trust you, it's a big change for them. Dexterfarm is correct, some warm up faster than others.

[ravenwoodgrl]

Thanks for all your advice. I spent quite a bit of time off and on in the pen with her today. It took a long time for her to try the apples but she finally did. She still likes brush the best so who am I to complain. She came right up to my hand to get it though so that's not too bad for one day. I'm sure I'll have a ton more questions and I really appreciate all your willingness to help a newbie.
Thanks again
Nancy

[ravenwoodgrl]

Well you all were right lol. Once she figured out what apples and sweet feed were she is fast becoming my best friend. I just have one more question. How much sweet feed and apples are too much. I've been going out about four times a day with half an apple and a handfull of sweet feed. I kind of need to be friends by Monday but I don't want to kill her with kindness. TIA
Nancy

[zephyrhillsusan]

Glad you're friends!

What you need to do is keep the amount of feed consistent and increase it very gradually to let her rumen adjust. What's been recommended to me by another breeder is to start with 1/4 lb. You can mark off a tomato or coffee can or a feed scoop to show how much is 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1 lb., etc. Start with 1/4 lb and keep it that way for four days. It's recommended to add a scoop of Probios or other probiotic to the feed to help her rumen adjust if she's never had grain before. Then you can add another 1/4 lb. and keep it that way for four more days, still adding probiotics as long as you're adjusting it.

You can split that 1/4 pound up into handfuls, but try to keep it consistent. If you spread it out over the day, keep doing that. The key is gradual change. That small amount you probably won't have any problem, but it's better to be safe. I probably wouldn't give her more than one apple a day, but that's just me. If you cut it in small pieces you can get a lot of mileage out of it.

[ravenwoodgrl]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad I found this place.
Nancy