Melatonin

I know this topic has been asked before, I did a search but cant find what Iam looking for. My steer decided to go phyco the morning I was able to see what he really is capable of doing which is really scary I have our first show next weekend. Does anyone have Ideas on how to keep him calm? Sullivans calf calmer? Or melatonin, if I go with melatonin I have questions concerning it. How much o I give a 780 pounds calf and how long before the show do I give it to him? Also does it test?
Sorry if its been asked before thanks
Britt

Britt..

Start giving it to him 5 or 6 days before you show.  I would shove about 6 or 7 pills a day down him every day, including show day.  It will not test, it is all natural and it will just take the edge off of him.  He will not act like he has been drugged or anything, just hopefully act better for you.  We did it last year with my daughter's heifer and it worked like a charm.  Go buy you a big bottle at WalMart, it will last you forever.  Good Luck!  Lisa

6 or 7 of those little 3mg pills?  We filled up those clear boluses and give that to them a few days before, and it helps.  It won't make a crazy one calm though.  It certainly won't test, it's just something to chill him out just a little like Lisa said.  Try not to be nervous around him, but always keep an eye out. If he knows you're nervous, that is gonna make him act up even more.

Thanks for the help! I dont know what has him so spooked now he just turned crazy on me, worked with him for 3 hours the morning he seems to be calming down. I guess he just had a bad day  (lol) I still cant trust him as much now though
Britt

He didn't get sore under his chin from the halter, did he?  We've had that make them mad and mean sometimes.  Usually  a little Neosporin ointment and a few days rest and they will get better.

We use melatonin on a daily basis for hair growth.  It will also help calm on e down a little.  We feed 33 of the 3 mg pills each morning to each heifer.  If you are going to use it to calm the calf I would try this much or more.

Good luck!

Ron
<cowboy>

If he dont calm down enough, a little ace on show day wont hurt.

May not hurt, but it sure is illegal and will help get you kicked out when tested.

We've never had any luck with sullivans calm calf, heard it worked for some though. I would definitely go with what OFS said. And check for the wear on the skin where the halter was like rtmcc said. We had a calf with the personality of a dog, lead him almost everyday. We went out to lead him one day and pulled hard. He freaked out. So we got the halter off him, and noticed under the chin strap dead peelings of skin and a little bit of blood.We just let it heal up after time and he was fine. That may be the problem if nothing else. Good Luck!!!

Thanks everyone I went ahead and got some melatonin and just put the pill in his feed. I refuse to do anything illegal and I wont put my calf nor myself into that danger. He may be out of control right now but a few brusies here and there is fine I just wont get myself into trouble w/illegal stuff. Ive been working him hours and hours a day and I think Ive started to get something threw his head! He seems to be mellowing out. Thanks again for the help..and there is no noticable sore under the chin
Britt