What is too cold to wash calves?

GLZ · Nov 21, 2008

I am still looking to get rid of steers, and I have some buyers coming by next week. I want to wash the calves out again, but was wondering what you all thought was too cold to wash steers.

I try to wash with the weather in th 40's if possible, and i think I will have a small window for that Sunday afternoon.

Thoughts?

bcosu · Nov 21, 2008

well, running water won't freeze so....
i know this is kind of a preference subject so, if it gets below freezing then just keep them clean and only wash when you have to or when you can.

i know it can get below freezing and not keep humans from washing outside

couldn't resist posting this if people can do it then so can cattle cause they sure have more hair than we do! (clapping)

oakview · Nov 21, 2008

My rule of thumb is that if I can stand it, they can. I've got quite a few to work on this weekend, hope the forecast of 41 for Saturday and 47 for Sunday is accurate!

kanshow · Nov 21, 2008

It's not the temp so much as the wind that gets to me.

Chris Bingham · Nov 21, 2008

You just have to make sure that you blow them out good and dry before you put them back out. I have rinsed in sleet before.

chambero · Nov 21, 2008

Washing in cold weather isn't any different than standing out in the pasture in a cold rain or wet snow. If its way below freezing though, common sense applies.

Throttle · Nov 21, 2008

cbcfarms said:
well, running water won't freeze so....
i know this is kind of a preference subject so, if it gets below freezing then just keep them clean and only wash when you have to or when you can.

i know it can get below freezing and not keep humans from washing outside

couldn't resist posting this if people can do it then so can cattle cause they sure have more hair than we do! (clapping)

Mirror Lake? I'm guessing the crowd might be a little down this year? Team from up north is 3-8 and temps are 20 degrees below normal. Although, I don't think any of that would've mattered to me ;D

cowboy8733 · Nov 21, 2008

it really doesn't matter how cold it is as long as you get them perfectly dry. i have washed calves outside when it was in the single digits without them getting sick. but the hole key is to get them dryer than dry this includes the head and ears

bcosu · Nov 21, 2008

Throttle said:
cbcfarms said:

well, running water won't freeze so....
i know this is kind of a preference subject so, if it gets below freezing then just keep them clean and only wash when you have to or when you can.

i know it can get below freezing and not keep humans from washing outside

couldn't resist posting this if people can do it then so can cattle cause they sure have more hair than we do! (clapping)

Click to expand...

Mirror Lake? I'm guessing the crowd might be a little down this year? Team from up north is 3-8 and temps are 20 degrees below normal. Although, I don't think any of that would've mattered to me ;D

The crowd was huge! Head it was just as big if not bigger than anyother year. Noone really complained about the Temps so much as they complained about michigan

CAB · Nov 21, 2008

Cattle's comfort zone is 20 to 60 degrees F. I think that you can wash anytime that the water doesn't start forming ice cycles on them. Make sure that you get them blown dry. Brent

Steer Boy 101 · Nov 21, 2008

I was working at a sale and the boss man said to wash no matter what and its cold in 2 am and it was snowing and we were washing out side sucked but moost cattle didnt mind.

red · Nov 22, 2008

I have an out door wash rack. I quit when it gets icy.
Then for quick clean up's I use a spray that consists of 2 cups Kleen sheen, 1 cup rag oil & 6 oz of Absorbine or ligament. Fill into a standard spray bottle & top w/ more Kleen sheen. I spray it on spots w/ manure allow it to set for a while & then comb out.

Red

TJ · Nov 22, 2008

I know people do it, but I will not be washing below freezing. When it gets too cold, it's time to break out the washer fluid or alcohol instead of water.

Camo · Nov 22, 2008

Ok. That is a first! Im a neebie but I havent heard of the washer fluid baths. What do you do with that? ???

BCCC · Nov 22, 2008

Camo said:
Ok. That is a first! Im a neebie but I havent heard of the washer fluid baths. What do you do with that? ???

Not realyl a washer fluid bath, but put it in a spary bottle or a fogger and mist them with it

TJ · Nov 23, 2008

BCCC said:
Camo said:

Ok. That is a first! Im a neebie but I havent heard of the washer fluid baths. What do you do with that? ???

Click to expand...

Not really a washer fluid bath, but put it in a spary bottle or a fogger and mist them with it

Yep, then just blow it out. It strips the natural oils, so you will probably want to use something to put them back to condition the hair & skin. I'd also probably only do it for a show or a sale. It's not really a good plan for "daily hair care", IMHO, but it will work when you are in stalled out in the yards at Denver, when it's down in the teens, with 40 mph winds & you need to get your cattle cleaned up.

showsteer09 · Nov 23, 2008

its never too cold to was if u got a place in side get a space heater and wash them out.. as long as there body temp gets back up u fine.... I rince if its 40 or 40 below

Camo · Nov 23, 2008

Well I will have to try that. Do you guys usuallly rinse them everyday in the winter? Do you have fans on them 24/7?

BCCC · Nov 23, 2008

Camo said:
Well I will have to try that. Do you guys usuallly rinse them everyday in the winter? Do you have fans on them 24/7?

I wash mine everyother day. And I have fans running on days it gets above 50

yousesteers · Nov 23, 2008

I try to rinse every day above 40 and wash at least once a week after calves are broke. I leave a small fan running in the corner of the barn 24/7 any time there is calve able to get in there but my barn is an old hip roof with a loft in it and the calves will often sweat in there with out the fan running it just stirs the air and keeps it fresh

What is too cold to wash calves?

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