Search found 5 matches

by Darachbeg
Thu Apr 26, 2018 9:25 pm
Forum: General Discussion Board
Topic: contract calf catching/ear tagging
Replies: 1
Views: 5230

Re: contract calf catching/ear tagging

Have you tried doing them in the field in the first 24 hours after birth? I haven't used dehorning paste but in my experience ear tags and a castration ring are dead easy to do before the calves have figured out how to run. Given that you're looking for a contractor, I take it you know all too well ...
by Darachbeg
Thu Dec 07, 2017 7:52 pm
Forum: General Discussion Board
Topic: Outwintering? In for the winter?
Replies: 13
Views: 33814

Re: Outwintering? In for the winter?

We'd love to out winter ours but there's very little forage on the hill here between October and May; the purple moor grass dies off at the end of September and there's a lot of sheep competing over whatever's left (mainly heather). We could feed out but then there's the issue of competing sheep and...
by Darachbeg
Mon Dec 04, 2017 7:25 pm
Forum: General Discussion Board
Topic: Grazing drainage ditches
Replies: 7
Views: 19709

Re: Grazing drainage ditches

Our wee herd spends the Summer up a hill cut through by incised ravines and deep bogs. A hoof in the wrong place would spell disaster but no mishaps even when dexters are introduced from gentler topography! They soon work out where to cross the burns safely and are very cautious crossing soft ground...
by Darachbeg
Wed Oct 12, 2016 11:10 am
Forum: General Discussion Board
Topic: Cattle handling systems
Replies: 37
Views: 49360

Re: Cattle handling systems

If the weather is anything like the way it is here in Wales, an undercover handling system would be a bonus. We're even wetter here! I'd actually love to out-winter but the experience has been too dark, wet and muddy with our set-up. We can get a lot of the infrastructure costs of shed and pens bac...
by Darachbeg
Mon Oct 10, 2016 7:35 pm
Forum: General Discussion Board
Topic: Cattle handling systems
Replies: 37
Views: 49360

Re: Cattle handling systems

I've been following this forum for the past four years. My new cattle handling system has just arrived from IAE. It was inspired by what I've seen on this thread of Stephanie's. Given the coinciding resurrection of this thread I decided to finally join up and share what I've done in case it's of int...