We have plenty of fans and use cedar shavings as well. Our barn is pretty open, to help with ventilation but we don't keep lights on or anything. There's really no way to have it completely dark because of how open it is.
For those of you who have cattle in the barn, what do you do it regards to disposing of the manure? How often do you haul it off (if that's what you do)? We clean stalls daily as well as the "let-out" pen. Most days, we also haul it off with the wheel barrow and fill up low spots in the pasture...
We live in Texas and the flies are AWFUL in our barn. I know they are attracted to feed and manure but both of those things are unavoidable when raising livestock. We clean stalls and dump the poop everyday - granted, the manure is dumped outside of our barn, probable 100 yards away or so (we...
I wanted to add.....I also feel like the heat has added to the issue. It has been the hottest week so far here in our area of Texas and the humidity is terrible. The last three evenings that we've worked him (around 7:30/8pm) the "feels like" temp has been over 100 degrees. After having a...
I tried the cable halter.....a few days ago. I put it on him and when I went to walk him he went nuts....to the point where I didn't know if I would be able to get close enough to get it off. I don't know what it could have been that set that off. I plan on trying it again but waiting...
I could not agree more CAB and I have told her as much. I've been doing this for 20+ years and I'm still learning. She has already learned that she has to be aware of her movements and how she handles the show stick.....as well as we don't give up until he acts how we want him to. The funny...
I agree with putting the show stick on the back burner. Like I said, I think we will go back to square one and work back to the show stick....SLOWLY. I don't think he needs to be shipped off.....like I've said before, he's not crazy or aggressive (which to me would be the main reasons to get rid...
I don't mind at all....he is a Solid Gold.
This evening started out the same as before - it's like as soon as my daughter goes to change hands with the halter and show stick after she stops him, he takes off. He does fine with me. He did this once and we tied him up. I had my daughter stand...
Another update...not really a good one!
How does that saying go? Two steps forward and one step back or one step forward and two steps back?? Either way, that's about how yesterday went. Granted, there are several factors that I think played a role in the catastrophe. To sum it up....he broke...
Update:
The melatonin seems to be making a difference as far as him being calmer. After 2 days on melatonin, he was doing much better (he's even walking slower!). Knock on wood....he hasn't tried to break away again. We are also setting him up with him facing the fence and not spending a lot of...
That's a good idea....it's worth trying. I made the mistake of putting on one of the cruise control halters and was planning on trying that......not a good idea at all...he flipped out as soon as I started walking him out of the gate - had to pen him and get the dang thing off. Now I'm worried...
I meant to add.....I would get my husband to help...he’s 6’7 and a big guy but the steer doesn’t like him- that alone gets him worked up. When my daughter and I are working him he’s fine behavior wise....he isn’t crazy or aggressive at all. I don’t want to add to the stress by including someone...
Well the bad thing is he does get away from me.....I’m not much bigger than my daughter plus I have back issues. He’s very stout for his size. He doesn’t break away when leading....only when standing completely still when being set up.....which makes no sense to me. It literally just happened an...