|
Post by gulfcapt on Nov 9, 2011 16:50:57 GMT -5
Me and my wife have a bull the same way, he would charge you when ever you got into the pen with him. that was 9 months ago! Now my wife can Pull into the driveway and he mooo's for her, or she can call his name and he will meet her at the gate for treats, and let you rub all over him. It took alot of work and patience on my wifes part, But she started like Patti said going into the pasture picking up Manure with RTV and a wheel barrel and a plastic pitchfork,and treats.. She would throw the treats from a distance at him. some he would eat some he wouldn't. In the morning and evening she would feed him sweet feed but only give it to him if he would come to the gate, and she could actually put her hands on him while he feed. gradually worked her way alittle at a time into the pen just walking by him then as she would walk out put a hand on him if she could.
One thing I noticed on Roscoe is his eyes are very relaxed now compared to what they were when we first got him(WIDE EYED). It seemed like when ever we were around he was that way(wide eyed lookout he would come at you). Maybe that something you can look for in your cow. Im still new to this also and have learned alot from these people on this forum and still learning...
I think if you have the patience you can change her attitude around, Best of luck to you
mike
|
|
|
Post by cddexter on Nov 9, 2011 19:13:31 GMT -5
don' t know what the weather is like for you in November, but I've been successful with taking an old folding chair and sitting beside the fence (outside) and just chatting with her, maybe read a book for a while, chat a bit, have some treats you can toss under the fence near you, and just be a presence. That's non-invasive, and non threatening. She'll get used to you being around and used to the sound of your voice--much like working a horse.
the advice about a halter (when you get that far) with a lead rope so she steps on it and learns to stop on her own is also a good one. If you have more than one animal, the other animal will step on it too, and she'll learn not to pull away: big benefit when she's four times your weight.
if she's alone, she has a lot to overcome: they are herd animals so being by herself is a threat all in itself; Then there's new people, new surroundings, new everything. Give her a couple of weeks with lots of time with her, and let us know how you get on. c.
|
|
|
Post by rawlingsdexter on Nov 9, 2011 22:06:02 GMT -5
Genebo, I cannot believe that you would even consider putting drench in a cup and tossing it onto a nervous cow!! Firstly do you not know that if an animal is anxious that pour on drench can cause then to drop dead as it is absorbed into their system too quickly causing a heart attack. I agree with Carol's approach, go quietly and get your cow to come to feed, most are driven by this and will come eventually. Obviously you need to get some proper facilities so that you can drench your animal in a stress free manner, that is for both the cow and yourself. The plans Ian posted for a simple head bail and side opening gates looked a pretty inexpensive way to achieve a safe experience for everyone. Good luck with you cow Marg
|
|
lsg
member
Posts: 247
|
Post by lsg on Nov 10, 2011 9:21:27 GMT -5
The suggestion of using wormer pellets mixed with feed is a good one. I have used Safeguard wormer pellets for my milk cow as there is no milk withdrawal. They are supposed to be effective for a wide variety of internal parasites. Unlike the pour-on, the pellets don't get rid of lice and other external parasites, but they are easy to use.
|
|
|
Post by otf on Nov 10, 2011 9:54:09 GMT -5
There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with what Genebo did. Pour-on dewormers are commonly used here; they are applied topically, not orally. Dectomax is a product that is available as a pour-on or injectable. The pour-on will take care of lice as well and is frequently used in January-February when cattle start scratching themselves and losing hair. animalhealth.pfizer.com/sites/pahweb/US/EN/Products/Pages/Dectomax_Pour-On.aspx
|
|
|
Post by rawlingsdexter on Nov 10, 2011 16:36:01 GMT -5
Hi Genebo
Please refer to the MDS (Material Data Sheet) I am talking pour-on drench for Cattle. You have tried to make me look like I don't know what I am talking about. NOT HAPPY!!
We have bred Dexter cattle for 14 years and my husband has worked on many commercial cattle enterprises, so we are by no ways novices at what we do. A steer at an educational facility collapsed in the crush with heart failure, which is where we have first hand knowledge of this happening, my husband was present!!
Treat your animals with the respect they deserve and at very least read the information that comes with your Drench.
Marg
|
|
|
Post by rawlingsdexter on Nov 10, 2011 18:58:42 GMT -5
I read the animal was nervous Genebo by your comment that she is skittish, does it mean something else in the US. Drench is what we term the product used for the eradication of parasites, both internal and external.
The steer was being drenched with pour on drench.
I did not make my last post so that you could forgive me, and let us get on. I made the comments I made as the uneducated who tend to use these boards would think it is OK to put pour-on in a plastic cup and throw it at a cow. If you felt you were being publicly criticised, I cannot help that. The instructions clearly say it is to be poured along the spine between the chine and the hips. This is done to reduce the chance of it being ingested orally which can cause problems. Also the calm manner reduces stress, which is what you should do at all times when handling your cattle.
I do have a great deal of experience and know quite a deal about Dexters, genetics, PHA, Chondro, handling, breeding, etc. You obviously do things a lot different to us. And that is my last comment!! ;D
|
|
|
Post by jamboru on Nov 10, 2011 19:32:35 GMT -5
This is my first comment since being introduced to this forum a few months ago.
I have back-lined with a syringe from the back of the ute, a young bull who had been missed in the 'muster', but what I find interesting across all the Dexter fora across the globe is the apparent lack of handling facilities.
One Dexter or 100 Dexters, the basic handling requirements are the same, only the yards are bigger. Even the quietest old house cow may at some time need to be immobilised, so for her own safety and the safety of the vet, a yard, a short race and a crush really need to come before the cow. I prefer a walk-through head bail and a man-gate behind. When I win the lottery I will have a crush with a vet table as well.
|
|
|
Post by ctownson on Nov 10, 2011 21:07:50 GMT -5
You are absolutely correct - many Dexter owners have minimal handling facilities/equipment. But, that is the way it is. Many have only a couple of Dexters and can't justify the cost of a chute or head gate. Most of the folks who purchase a Dexter from us are first-time owners of a cow. We provide a LOT of support but it can be very difficult at times given the lack of equipment to handle a cow in an emergency situation.
|
|
|
Post by ctownson on Nov 10, 2011 21:14:05 GMT -5
We started with a simple headgate and some corral panels. I rigged up a gate that we could use to "squeeze" the cow once secured in the headgate. The total cost was less than $350 and I think this is a minimal setup that one needs to have with Dexters that are easy to handle. I still use this equipment a lot and can do about 90% of the vet work with this set up. This includes drawing blood, immunizations, worming, tattoos, etc.
|
|
|
Post by bub on Nov 10, 2011 22:06:50 GMT -5
I just want to say before I start that I'm sorry that most of you out there have to read this. Because I am about to do what I am tired of what a few others on here do. It seams that there are about 5 to 6 people trying to turn this sight into a soap opera. If a person from one side posts something a person from the other side has to disagree and cause a big squable. I don't know what caused all the bad blood between the two groops but it is killing this sight. Now let me get back to the thred. For one thing I can't beleave that some one would think a cow in a lot eating that had wormer threw on her back would be more stressed than a cow that was put in a chute and worked on up close and then had the nerve to say that the only cow that they new of that died from this was one that was in a chute and was worked the way they wanted Genebo to do it. Once again I think some one just wanted to cause trouble. I think that all of you have a lot of knowledge to share with us if you could just stop the bickering.
|
|
|
Post by otf on Nov 11, 2011 11:28:50 GMT -5
Working facilities makes things so much easier and SAFER for people and cattle -- vaccinating, castrating, tagging, tattooing, AI, helping new calves figure out nursing, etc. While it's helpful to have a sturdy alley and a squeeze chute with a headgate, often a simpler arrangement will work. The Medina Hinge is frequently used by longhorn breeders, but it will work for Dexters too: grangercattleco.com/medinahinge.htmlWhatever arrangement is chosen, people should get their cattle accustomed to it so it isn't so stressful when an animal must be restrained for treatment. It's worth the cost of the equipment and the time spent "rehearsing."
|
|
|
Post by cddexter on Nov 11, 2011 12:36:10 GMT -5
hey, guys.....no need to get huffy.
Gene does say he threw the pour-on on the cow (and don't be downwind unless you want to be dewormed, too). The MDS does say it's important to be careful how and where you apply it. Gene's comment is not compatable.
My vet tells me to glove up so I don't get it on myself accidentally. It doesn't matter if you want to argue semantics about what to call it (pour-on or pour-on drench) it's still pretty strong stuff with a very real possibility of doing damage. Just because there isn't always a problem doesn't mean it should be handled in a cavalier manner.
I'm not taking sides here, just trying to keep to the topic without all the red herrings. c.
|
|
|
Post by ian on Nov 11, 2011 21:06:44 GMT -5
Hi All Why use harmful chemicals for worming when all you have do is feed FOOD GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH (DE) a natural non toxic substance. I have used this product for the last five years and have never had a worm problem in any of my dexters. The first two heifers that I bought came out of a drought situation and were in a very poor condition and had that typical wormy pot belly. Within a matter weeks they were putting on condition and lost their pot belly and one of them went on to win show ribbons the only thing I used was DE and the Pat Coloby Mineral Mix all natural substances no chemicals. If you are going to drink the milk and eat the meat pouring chemicals on your animals is madness. We live in a tropical area with paralysis ticks (will kill a calf), cattle ticks (tick fever) buffalo fly and lots of worm species and we have never had a problem. We have a daughter who has been struck down with Cronic Fatigue for the last eight years who is now on the mend and that is due to use going organic and staying away from harmful chemicals, remember you are what you eat, what you stick down your neck today walks and talks tomorrow. Happy and Healthy Dexters to every one, go organic.
|
|
|
Post by gulfcapt on Nov 12, 2011 7:24:15 GMT -5
Ian thats funny you say that about Diatomacious Earth My wife uses it on all our animals dogs,horses, and our bull we brought some stool sample's in a few months ago to the vet and had no worms what so ever either.. Don't get me wrong we do worm everybody also. I like haveing the worm free enviroment ;D ;D
|
|