Preparing for stag conditioning
Harvest time is the time of the year that breeders harvest the stags in the range. It is one of the most satisfying moments of the season. At this time, caretakers should give attention to the range area. They should be watching for aggressive stags that have to be harvested right away. Extra measures should be taken very early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Stags tend to fight during these times of the day. Because of limited light some stags cannot recognize stags higher in the pecking order and will decide to fight back. when attacked. This reasoning also applies during rainy days when stags are wet and may look unusual.
It is also at this time of the year that we have to prepare the facilities and activities necessary when stags have been harvested. If we don’t intend to fight the stags in the stag derbies it would be much better to leave them at the cord area for maturing. All we have to do immediately after harvesting the stag is to delouse, de-worm (better with natural de-wormer) and put them in a small enclosure to tame them. A false tie-cord put alternately on the legs will accustom the stags to the tie-cord. When the stags have been tamed and ready, you may transfer them to the cording area.
Stags left alone to grow naturally are better suited for bull stag fighting than stags that were conditioned for fighting while still stags.
If we intend to fight our newly harvested stags in the stag competitions, then these are the things to remember and do:
Prepare the facilities for harvest.
· Small pens, usually the 3x3’ folding wire pens available in poultry supply stores. It is better to place the harvested stags first in small pens to tame them sooner. In smaller confinement it is easier to catch the stags when administering the post harvest care such as delousing, de-worming, injection of supplements and bacterial flushing.
· Hardening pens. Hardening pens should be spacious enough to accommodate the stag and pullet and high enough for the pair to roost. Adequate measurement will be 5x5x5’ or 6x6x6’ although of course the bigger the better.
· Tie-cords. Aside from the regular tie cords, you may also prepare some high cords and long or running cords. High cords will exercise the stags’ wing and breast muscles. Long or running cords will exercise the legs and thigh muscles. The stags may take turns in occupying the different types of tie cords.
· Scratch boxes. The stags should also be placed in scratch boxes regularly.
· Lights. An area with available artificial lights will be very helpful in pre-conditioning and conditioning the stags.
· Pullets. Prepare enough pullets to accompany the stag in confinement.
