We just started this process again with our newest little billy goat and our 2 new heifer calves. Below are a few tips for you on how we manage to get this process going for a successful result.
1) Before putting the halter on the animal we hang it in their stall where they can smell it and get used to it. This usually takes a day or two.
2) Put the animal in a confined pen. You don't want to chase them through a pasture.
3) Next put the halter on the animal. Try to do it during a cool time of the day so they don't over heat. We also try to do this as young as possible. Our little billy is 2 weeks old and we just started working with him. The heifer calves are a month old and we have begun with them.
4) Tie them off to a section of non-wire fence or a post. They will start to fight the halter and become very vocal with the entire situation. Don't leave them you don't want them to get hurt.
This is Pickles our newest billy born May 15th.
Two new heifer bottle calves
red Hereford calf - Hennessy
black bald face Angus calf - Coco
You can tell that they are not impressed with the halter at this point. The first time you do this they will fight it pretty hard. We stayed right with them until they calmed down.
5) Once they calm down and stop resisting the halter you will want to reward them. Most animals it is food. We also take this opportunity to pet them or rub them down so they get used to being touched.
At this point you will want to repeat the processes above until the animal is completely comfortable with the halter. With some of our animals that is a day or two, with others it is months. The key is to remain consistent and not give in.
Hope this help you with your animals.
From My Barn to You
Brad
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