GaryDG
Well-known member
At what age is it appropriate to band a bull calve?
Bull Calves - Banding
- Thread starter GaryDG
- Start date
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Any age from birth to a few month's old. We band most of our's at branding time, so they are anywhere from a few days to 1 1/2 months old. Any that are likely candidates for quality bulls are left til they get older (say weaning time, or maybe a year old), re-evaluated, and if they don't make the grade they are then knife castrated. It's really up to you.
Farminlund
Well-known member
We have transitioned to later banding at around 4-5 months old, gives them time to drop off before marketing at 7 months. We gain the increased growth rate that bull calves enjoy yet sell at the higher price that steers bring (at least that's the case for calves in our area).
NCfarmer
Member
I've banded at birth also, but lost one once due to a bad choice on my part. Before I got my headgate, I use to rope'm and throw'm on the
ground and band them (if I didn't catch them as they dropped). That's
the time I made the mistake of not getting both testicles in the bag below
the bands. (and yes double banding is a great idea in case one breaks).
It took a couple weeks, but the poor little feller swelled up and I didn't take action til too late. I felt awful and still avoid banding at birth since
it is difficult to be sure you've got both them boys in the bag. It also
helps to have them standing when doing this since its easier for them
to suck them up into their abdomen when laying down.
I now agree with Farminlund.....let them put on some weight first.
Just my thoughts......bottom line: do it when your facilities will allow
for the least amount of stress to the animal and
a positive banding (no missed testes).
PS> DO NOT scrimp on the tetenus shot afterward,...better safe than sorry.
ground and band them (if I didn't catch them as they dropped). That's
the time I made the mistake of not getting both testicles in the bag below
the bands. (and yes double banding is a great idea in case one breaks).
It took a couple weeks, but the poor little feller swelled up and I didn't take action til too late. I felt awful and still avoid banding at birth since
it is difficult to be sure you've got both them boys in the bag. It also
helps to have them standing when doing this since its easier for them
to suck them up into their abdomen when laying down.
I now agree with Farminlund.....let them put on some weight first.
Just my thoughts......bottom line: do it when your facilities will allow
for the least amount of stress to the animal and
a positive banding (no missed testes).
PS> DO NOT scrimp on the tetenus shot afterward,...better safe than sorry.
