Shipping Fever - Cows

[RitzyBud]

Hello all, I'll be moving to a new house soon, the new house is about an hour away from where I currently live. I have 2 cows, a 2.5 year old jersey and a 1 year old holstein jersey, both heifers whom have never been in a trailer, they both came home as babies in the back seat of the truck. So, when I move I was wondering how prone to shipping fever they will be or if they will even be prone to it...

 

[cassie]

Personally, I don't think it would be an issue with that short a trip. There are vaccines available though and you can get them at any mail order vet supply.

 

[res]

I agree that is a pretty short trip.

Shipping fever is often brought on by the *stress* of shipping. It is important for you to make the trip as comfortable as possible.

How big is the trailer you are hauling them in?

Will they have room to turn around and/or lie down? Does it have good ventilation?

Is the person pulling the trailer experienced at hauling live animals vs. "cargo" (boat, camper, motorcycle, etc.)? There is a BIG difference in hauling live animals - my father taught me to haul by holding a regular drinking glass full of water while sitting in the passenger seat. All of my stops, starts, turns, accelerations, etc. had to be done in a manner as to NOT spill or slosh the water out of the glass. That's how gentle you should drive.

 

[RitzyBud]

I agree that is a pretty short trip.

Shipping fever is often brought on by the *stress* of shipping. It is important for you to make the trip as comfortable as possible.

How big is the trailer you are hauling them in?

Will they have room to turn around and/or lie down? Does it have good ventilation?

Is the person pulling the trailer experienced at hauling live animals vs. "cargo" (boat, camper, motorcycle, etc.)? There is a BIG difference in hauling live animals - my father taught me to haul by holding a regular drinking glass full of water while sitting in the passenger seat. All of my stops, starts, turns, accelerations, etc. had to be done in a manner as to NOT spill or slosh the water out of the glass. That's how gentle you should drive.

Trailer is a 3 horse trailer with all dividers ripped out, its pretty big, it fits 18, 7 month old heifers comfortably. the person hauling is experienced in hauling cows, he transfers them to new homes, the butcher shop and so on, I do not believe he is as gentle as to be careful not to spill a glass of water..... Which worries me. As I dont want anyone falling - these cows are my babies!! Each of them are going by themselves, because the older one weighs 1,109 and the younger one weighs 450, dont want anyone being crushed. I'm so nuts ive been considering sitting in the trailer on the way there so I can tell them to stop if someone falls. Theres a small triangle seat at the tip of the trailer, would this be a bad idea to sit there? Lol

 

[res]

That sounds like the trailer will have plenty of room. If it is slat sided, make sure the plexiglass is removed. If it's enclosed, make sure every window and vent is open.

I know a lot of cattlemen, my husband included, that drive like he** with a FULL load of cows. Their theory is that the cows are packed in so tight they can lean on each other for support. Probably true, but if one does go down, it is going to be in a world of trouble. If I were you, I would talk to the driver and ask him to be super gentle, hopefully he will understand.

I also have a 3-horse slant, and I wouldn't be too worried about putting 2 odd sized cows in it, especially if they have been kept together. They may ride better together, than being stressed out because they are suddenly alone. When I sold my 3 Dexters, they all rode 3 hours to their new home in my 12'x6' stock trailer - 4 yr old Momma, her 14-mth old heifer and a yearling bull. Everybody did fine.

I wouldn't ride in the compartment with the cattle. Too many chances for you to get hurt. It's also illegal in many states... Could you follow the trailer in your own vehicle? You can easily see the cattle in the trailer if it is a slat sided trailer.

I think they will be just fine. It sounds like you've got a roomy trailer and an experienced driver.

 

[RitzyBud]

That sounds like the trailer will have plenty of room. If it is slat sided, make sure the plexiglass is removed. If it's enclosed, make sure every window and vent is open.

I know a lot of cattlemen, my husband included, that drive like he** with a FULL load of cows. Their theory is that the cows are packed in so tight they can lean on each other for support. Probably true, but if one does go down, it is going to be in a world of trouble. If I were you, I would talk to the driver and ask him to be super gentle, hopefully he will understand.

I also have a 3-horse slant, and I wouldn't be too worried about putting 2 odd sized cows in it, especially if they have been kept together. They may ride better together, than being stressed out because they are suddenly alone. When I sold my 3 Dexters, they all rode 3 hours to their new home in my 12'x6' stock trailer - 4 yr old Momma, her 14-mth old heifer and a yearling bull. Everybody did fine.

I wouldn't ride in the compartment with the cattle. Too many chances for you to get hurt. It's also illegal in many states... Could you follow the trailer in your own vehicle? You can easily see the cattle in the trailer if it is a slat sided trailer.

I think they will be just fine. It sounds like you've got a roomy trailer and an experienced driver.

Will deff ask him to be gentle, and will probably have him put the divider back in so I can seperate the two cows.... Theyve never been in with each other and my older girl is quite the bully. We also have a large pony that needs to be hauled so may consider have the little cow go with the pony. Thanks for your help I will take pictures when they get moved and send them

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Shipping fever is generally associated with pneumonia and is usually a big problem in large animals when they are tied too tightly in a trailer and they cannot lower their heads or move comfortably. In horses, owners tend to tie the head up with trailer ties and stick hay right in front of them. They cannot lower their heads and this can lead to some pretty serious pneumonia and can be life threatening.

I think they should be alright. You can certainly divide them but just don't tie them in a way that restricts movement of the head. Also, monitor them carefully after the trip. Cows and horses have a weird lung setup which makes them fairly prone to bronchopneumonia in the forward part of their lungs. This in turn accounts for the fever (and the high vet bills that go along with it!)

 

[RitzyBud]

Wont be tying their heads at all, as I said before these girls are my babies and I'd be worried about them falling and snapping their necks >.<