Training a Stubborn Bull Calf

[LimoGirl]

I am training a bull calf for 4-H but its not going very well. He doesn't respect me at all, he is the only calf in the herd and i am his play buddy and he doesn't take me seriously. When i tie him up he is fine and doesn't even move from the spot. he was like that from the day he was born, he didn't even blink an eye when we put a halter on him and tied him, he just stood there and looked at me. I used to just drag him around when he was little since he wouldn't lead, ever. Now he is 300+ lbs and i cant drag him very far... Is there any way to make him respect me and be able to lead him? Do i need to get him a friend?
Thanks in Advance

 

[Hillsvale]

bribery.... like any male, treats will get them jumping through hoops. (sorry boys)

 

[LimoGirl]

bribery.... like any male, treats will get them jumping through hoops. (sorry boys)

I would but he wont eat anything except grass and milk, he turns his nose up at and kind of feed! even if i pour molasses on it! he is a very strange calf :/

 

[Hillsvale]

well then take a little bucket of milk and let him follow that around, at some point he will begin to listen to you... don't give him the milk until he does, sometimes it is about who is more stubborn!

 

[LimoGirl]

Ok, ill buy some calf replacer and see if he likes that, he is on his mother right now so i hope he does, that stuff it expensive down here!

 

[Hillsvale]

In my experience if mommy is nursing him he will turn his fussy little snout up, can you milk mommy and then seperate the little bull calf off a bit through the day so he can't thumb his nose at you and go and nurse?

 

[LimoGirl]

In my experience if mommy is nursing him he will turn his fussy little snout up, can you milk mommy and then seperate the little bull calf off a bit through the day so he can't thumb his nose at you and go and nurse?

LOL!! Milk a Limousin! Ha ha ha, she might be the gentlest cow i have ever laid eyes on but i wouldn't go as far as milking her i will try and separate them later today and see if he becomes hungry enough.

 

[Hillsvale]

I have no experience with Limousin cattle though I assumed that is what you were dealing with given your name... we have highlands and I wouldn't be milking them either!

 

[Cricket]

Hi, I wouldn't bother with the milk replacer--it probably won't compare to Mama's! Have you tried a slow steady pull and then the minute he even acts like he might move, release the pressure. Then repeat until you get the twitch of an ear, etc. It's more of a horse training thing, but it works well with cows. Our impulse is to keep tugging once they start moving, and they don't really get any reward or relief when they comply.

 

[cedarcurve]

Don't bother with milk replacer, or trying to milk the cow, you'll waste time, money, and try to get hurt in the process.

I'm going to assume that his dam is halter broke, if so, then it will be easy to break the calf to lead by following her around

If she is not halter broke- then put her in a pen, and keep the calf separate == only to lead him to her 2 or 3 times a day. This will get him broke to lead pretty quickly-- like 2 or 3 days tops.