Heifer pics and I need some tips PLEASE!

SKF · Oct 14, 2008

Here's some pictures of our heifer "Jellybean". I have posted pictures a while back when she was first born. I would like to hear your opinons of her. She is a May calf out of a Char x Heatseeker. Now here's my problem with this heifer she is a dud. She brings new meaning to the word lazy. The only this she does is eat and sleep. I am letting a young boy who lives next door show her for us and this is his first time so he his learning but she is so difficult to show because she is very hard to set up and look alive in the ring. She has been shown once and took a 2nd but everytime he went to set her up she looks like she is falling asleep so she looks sloopy out there. She did close her eyes during showmanship because the judge was taking his time with all the kids. So please if you have any tips on how to show a lazy calf please tell me!!! Thank you!!

shortyjock89 · Oct 14, 2008

Wow, she is a hairball, and a pretty nice lookin little heifer O0. Anyhow, if we have one that is gettin a little too lazy, we will lead them around in a small circle and get them set again. Then, if they keep doing it, kind of tap them on the brisket with the showstick or on the nose with one of your fingers...we've been known to tickle one's nostril too, and that can wake them up, but it's a little gross lol...and you can rattle the chain and hiss in their ears too. B-Vitamins are also known to give an extra boost of energy to people AND cattle.

Cattledog · Oct 15, 2008

There is a vitafirm show pellet that adds spunk. We had a heifer that was of average disposition(you know kind of fights with everything but not mean) and we started giving her this protein pellet as a supplement to her feed. One day I went out to do chores and she came running in the barn like a cracked out cat that just drank 20 cups of coffee and I was actually a little nervous for a second. As the time went on her personality stayed the same. I narrowed the timing to when I added this supplement. I called the dealer and asked him if he had heard of this happening and he said he was getting a ton of reports of this. Now, my heifer wasn't a deadhead like yours so this could do the trick.

bcosu · Oct 15, 2008

sometimes i will blow on their nose or at their ear where they feel it or here it. that or jiggling the halter should help some. we have had some want to fall asleep too but it could be alot worse, they could be trying to get away.

Jive Turkey · Oct 15, 2008

Could be tightened up in her neck a bit.

She needs a bit of trim to get rid of some of that long hair.

vc · Oct 15, 2008

How long do you tie her with her head up each day? We try to tie them up for at least 2 hours a day if not longer, help build stamina. If they are not used to being up for a long period of time
they can be worn out from fitting before they even go in the ring.
We also make them set up and stay that way before we kick them out, the longer it takes for them to set up right, the longer it is before they get to go eat, seems to help.

oakbar · Oct 15, 2008

Interesting name-- Jellybean. We had a Jellybean heifer that my daughter showed at one time(she's now a brood cow for my cousin). We named her first calf out of Hide N Watch--Licorice. Jellybean was from the J year and Licorice was from and L year so it worked out pretty well. If possible, we try to name our animals with names beginning with the letter designated for that year. We have a Noodles, a Spice & Scotch, a Roxie & Rosy and so on. Jelly bean is still one of our favorites, however.

justme · Oct 15, 2008

We have a heifer like that, but I'm guessing she's 1300 pounds lol. I was on my daughter to get her head up all year. I ate my words when I showed her in open show...she just gets lazy and relaxes in the ring. Chews her cud and almost lays her head on your arm. We tie her head up daily for 2-3 hours during the show season. I just think it is her personality honestly. I guess I'd rather have a tame heifer than a rip with my daughter though.

SWMO · Oct 15, 2008

Those kind are the hardest to show well. Arm feels like it is falling off by the end of a long class.

SKF · Oct 16, 2008

Thank you for all the tips I am for sure going to try them!! ;D Even though she is very lazy at least she is very sweet and gentle so I guess things could be worse.

Heifer pics and I need some tips PLEASE!

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