Post by jerseyrose on Dec 22, 2017 14:12:21 GMT -5
Stuff that occurred to me:
-Lou belongs to my fil now, and is due to calf mid January, she's VERY fat.
Does that cause the same calving/metabolic issues in beefers as dairy girls?
-when trailering cattle, is it better on short trips to get there faster doing the speed limit, or would you go a bit slower to reduce wind and jostling?
-cattle owners should not use flower scented shampoo to keep them from confusing hair with hay.
-why do they call poor hay "cattle hay", when cattle are so much more delicate than horses? (Something I didn't know until I had cattle)
-speaking of horses, I've had them my entire life, and I never once inspected or took pictures of their lady bits.
-does anyone else worry about the undue stress put on calves in a rodeo? I mean, I'm all about competition, but some classes just seem cruel. (Uh oh lol)
-dolly is 22 months, not 24. Little old for an unbred heifer.
-there should be a college just to teach cattle feeds. All the options and advice will crack your brain.
I am just going to answer giving my own personal opinion on each question. Right or wrong it is how I feel
1. I have no idea. generally any beef cow owners I know just feed the cows and let nature take it's course. Never knew any to have issues due to being heavy.
2. It is going to be windy and they will be jostled no matter what speed you go. Just drive normally and take care around the turns and with stops.
3.
4. " Cattle hay" is someone's bright idea to sell bad hay to whoever is desperate or just doesn't care what they feed their cows . I have never understood feeding moldy ,gross, otherwise inedible hay to cows that you are trying to profit from? ALL livestock is delicate in certain ways.
5. I have. Bred mares, lactating mares and my geldings all were examined from time to time.
6. Roping is not pleasant for a calf or goat I am sure. Steer wresting gives me a neck ache too.
7. Get her bred asap if you are planning to.
8. I just feed what I like and what works for me. I let unwanted advice just pass me by. School would be a waste for me as I wouldn't remember what I learned anyways.
ETA: Yes, I have fed hay that was a bit " tacky" and was a tad"off" in the smelling department. I have found moldy parts the animals threw out that I didn't see when unwinding and hand feeding my round bales. I know that at times we have to feed what we have got. I just wouldn't buy it knowing it was moldy ( or rained on) to begin with. Sadly we can be at the mercy of the supplier or if you cut and bale your own you are at the mercy of the unpredictable weather.