Weaned calves yesterday....

Weaned the calves yesterday.
Despite drought conditions here in central Alberta the calves are good weights.
Infact the calf crop is one of the better ones we've seen the last couple of years.

With one water bowl and 2 calf pens to move to water twice a day , Quade 's job is to dog the calves
into the chore routine and to do it with minimal stress to the calves since weaning/vaccinations alone
and getting onto different feed/water is already a big stress factor in their lives.

Calves have lost their natural leader ( mom ) so there's some milling around until some forward motion
starts the flow in the intended direction. ( It's abit like an edi with heads and butts facing you until it finally spins itself
out )
Usually takes a well placed nip with releasing some pressure so there is a reward for the calf to
turn and move. The trick is to keep 'enough' pressure to keep the flow going /keep calves grouped enough
and to cover the draw back to the other pen ...there's always a few that
want to try to break away....and all at a steady pace... it's more work for the dog to stop and restart the push which
puts more stress on the calves. Our calves are naturally quiet to begin with due to winter calving ( handled ) so tend to be heavy to start
that initial push.

For as pushy a dog Quade can be, he really is a decent chore dog and shows patience / respectfulness that is needed to work
the babies. ( There is zero tolerance for poor stockmanship on the farm here )
Usually a 2 person job 'before the dogs' now easily done with one dog...infact hubby took off to a farm sale...figured
we didnt need 'his' help for chores. The truth of the matter .....we've been managing just fine for quite some time :)

Anyways once they're well on feed and settled down , they are a perfect group to do some dog training on ,
...both Betty Williams and John Carter lessons come to mind....pressure / release exercises ie) flat foot walking into the heads, turning stock
stopping/releasing the pressure.

photos of a few heifer calves