Successful Departure

The five yearlings that had the green weaning clips put in their noses have been separated from their mothers and are learning how to eat hay out of the manger.

Full bales are placed along the manger with fluffed up bales on top. The yearlings learn to lift their heads up to slip into the stanchion to get to the food. Once they put their heads down, the stanchion slides to the closed position and locks their head in. By lifting the hay up for them the first day, they start to get the idea that the sounds and feel of the metal on their neck is not harmful. The one on the left has already figured that out and is not surprised or hesitant about letting the head gate close while he lowers his head to eat.

The five still have the green clips in their noses. As soon as they are comfortable with the stanchions, I will lock their heads in and slip the clip out of their nostrils.

This group is completely weaned from their mothers. There is no bellering or crying, no pacing of fences and no trauma. They are enjoying the chance to eat all the hay they want without adults bunting them away. They are also getting pelleted grass seed screenings and chopped up apples in their diet. The kittens playing in the barn spooked them on the first day but they are getting used to watching the antics.