How early is too early?

After calving how soon do you start putting the calf on a halter and messing with them? I am not talking leaving him tied up for long periods of time, just like 30 minutes to an hour combing or washing. We have always started in June but was wondering if earlier will be better.

Proably depends on the sire, if its a Full Flush proably anytime now ....

Muddy Creek Show Cattle said:

After calving how soon do you start putting the calf on a halter and messing with them? I am not talking leaving him tied up for long periods of time, just like 30 minutes to an hour combing or washing. We have always started in June but was wondering if earlier will be better.

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My daughter likes to get a halter on them as soon as they are standing well.  She likes to spoil the ones out of her favorite cows starting day one.  And as Chambero saw this fall, even those 2 month old calves are fair game if she gets bored.  (lol)

I was told early on to tie them up very early.  Put a halter on at 125-200lbs not 700lbs.  It works great!

Tie them up for a short time, they will pull then instead of later, no donkey needed.  they will come up to you all summer if you treat them right early.  You will have a puppy dog quiet one much of the time.  That being said if they are a knothead at 1-2months.  They will probably be a knothead later too.

Mark