Feel a little silly asking, but it just occured to me to make sure my pipe corrals would contain calves. I plan to let them out in larger fenced area but basically to keep them up at night in my pipe corrals. I've had full grown sheep squeeze their way out of the corrals, but I think calves wouldn't be quite so...determined? I also have mini-donkeys. They can be separated (have several different corrals) but am wondering how they may get along? They were with a 6 month old calf before and everyone kept to themselves.
Stupid question? Can calves be contained in pipe corrals?
- Thread starter Ellie May
- Start date
greybeard
Herd Master
Depends how far apart the horizontal pipes are and how rambunctious your calves are.
My own experience has been that calves 1-6 months old are more prone to try to get thru any kind of fence than any other age group cattle. More excitable and haven't yet found their place or figured out their head isn't the biggest part of their body. Seen young calves go thru openings I didn't think they could.. or would.
My own experience has been that calves 1-6 months old are more prone to try to get thru any kind of fence than any other age group cattle. More excitable and haven't yet found their place or figured out their head isn't the biggest part of their body. Seen young calves go thru openings I didn't think they could.. or would.
- Thread starter
- #3
WyndSyrin
Overrun with beasties
I agree with greybeard. Calves are the most curious things I have ever seen. My boys will try to walk through a pipe panel to get to some grass that they think they have to have. usually ends with Mikey bawling cause he got stuck and "Momma"-me- has to go rescue him. Point of this is; make sure the horizontal parts are narrow enough so they can't get through. if they are not you can rig some chicken wire across it to discourage them
greybeard
Herd Master
It can be managed. Just don't get them excited will go a long ways toward keeping them in their pen and out of trouble.
Work and walk slow and quietly. If one starts acting up, running into gates or panels, back out of the pen and let the calf calm down. Try to give them plenty of room as you move around in their space and if you need to move them, do it at their pace..let em think it's 'their idea'. If one has it's head high, legs set stiff, it's getting ready to bolt somewhere...back away slowly in the direction you came, or back up and just find somewhere to sit down and let it get used to you being there. You'll work it out.
