calf weight with hoof tape

[angus9259]

Bull calf still wet - 100 lbs.

Same bull calf 12 hours later - 75 lbs

Suppose there's swelling in the coronary band that goes down in the first 24 hours?

I normally tape them between 12-24 hours after they've nursed a few times and I'm too old to pick up and test any theories

 

[TCRanch]

I've never used the tape while they were still wet. But I believe there is a potential for +/- 7 lbs. variance in the accuracy of the tape. Interesting theory on the swelling right after birth and may be legit since their front legs (usually!) are out there and sometimes hanging down for a while.

 

[moses388]

idk...
I thought hoof tapes were most accurate when used soon after birth. More time elapsed since birth, the less accurate. Haven't used my hoof tapes in a long while. Guess I used them if the calf seemed large on a parturition dystocia.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

Grab the calf and step on a bathroom scale and get an "accurate" weight, then compare to the weight tape results.

My experience with weight tape vs actual scales is the weight tape is a 1st grade educated guess. Ha

 

[TexasJerseyMilker]

I use the Coburn dairy tape. It has 3 breeds of dairy Jersey Gurnsy and Holsein on it. Jersey starts at 57 to 59 lbs. My husband carrying them says 60 lbs. They make a beef tape also.