Calving Chains

[Randi]

Here's why you should make sure to put the calving chains on correctly. In addition to breaking a leg/s during a hard pull, you can also do something like this. This is a photo from a number of years ago. I don't know if we broke his fetlock, but this never healed, he got worse, and we had to put him down. We are much more careful of calving chain placement now.

The proper Placement of Calving Chains

 

[Bigfoot]

I put my chains on that way, because that's what I was taught as a child. I have noticed, the vet does not. He's pulled a bazillion more than I have, makes me wonder if my way is right.

 

[Bright Raven]

How old was the calf when you took the picture?

I have never had a hard pull. I only do one loop but mine have barely needed a pull and I have never used the jack.

 

[Randi]

He was probably 2 - 3 weeks

We half hitched them, always do if it's a hard pull, but were not careful of exactly where they were placed

 

[Bright Raven]

He was probably 2 - 3 weeks

We half hitched them, always do if it's a hard pull, but were not careful of exactly where they were placed

That was a big calf!! What did he weigh?

 

[True Grit Farms]

I use a loop and half hitch and don't pay attention to where the chains are placed as long as there behind the dew claws.

 

[Randi]

He was probably 2 - 3 weeks

We half hitched them, always do if it's a hard pull, but were not careful of exactly where they were placed

That was a big calf!! What did he weigh?

106 lbs. Out of a first calf heifer. I had to look him up, that was in 2010

 

[Randi]

I use a loop and half hitch and don't pay attention to where the chains are placed as long as there behind the dew claws.

We never paid attention before this, either. I don't know if they shifted, or exactly what happened, but I do know we are a lot more careful with them now.

 

[Bright Raven]

He was probably 2 - 3 weeks

We half hitched them, always do if it's a hard pull, but were not careful of exactly where they were placed

That was a big calf!! What did he weigh?

106 lbs. Out of a first calf heifer. I had to look him up, that was in 2010

Thank you. He was big.

 

[Randi]

That was a big calf!! What did he weigh?

106 lbs. Out of a first calf heifer. I had to look him up, that was in 2010

Thank you. He was big.

Yes he was, it was on the cow side, as his grand dam also threw large calves.

 

[ALACOWMAN]

https://youtu.be/IV3BVJ0A2Ng Worth watching..

 

[wbvs58]

How old was the calf when you took the picture?

I have never had a hard pull. I only do one loop but mine have barely needed a pull and I have never used the jack.

Ron, what about the one you had go down and tore the uterine artery????

 

[Bright Raven]

How old was the calf when you took the picture?

I have never had a hard pull. I only do one loop but mine have barely needed a pull and I have never used the jack.

Ron, what about the one you had go down and tore the uterine artery????

That was early before I was up to speed. I called my neighbor, Johnny, who with his years of experience, I thought would have no trouble. He is a big guy. He pulled straight back. Put his feet on her pelvic bones and pulled. Common sense told me this was bad. I made a suggestion to pull down and give her time. He ignored me. Since that event, I don't call anyone.

He got the calf delivered. She got up and was bleeding. I called the vet. He got a hemostat on the artery and she dropped dead.

 

[wbvs58]

I'll accept that explanation Ron but I am here to keep you honest!!!!!!!!!

Ken

 

[Bright Raven]

I'll accept that explanation Ron but I am here to keep you honest!!!!!!!!!

Ken

I have not had anything close to that since. I have jumped in a few times with chains and just pulled enough to get them started. I just put one loop above the dew claws. BTW: Johnny is the best neighbor I could ever wish for.

 

[Aaron]

Quit using chains a few years ago. Always hard to keep properly positioned before tension is on and can be slow to put on inside cow. Use straps now and much faster and safer - loop is stiff and holds shape while putting on one-handed in cow.

 

[wbvs58]

I'll accept that explanation Ron but I am here to keep you honest!!!!!!!!!

Ken

I have not had anything close to that since. I have jumped in a few times with chains and just pulled enough to get them started. I just put one loop above the dew claws. BTW: Johnny is the best neighbor I could ever wish for.

Just a bit enthusiastic by the sound of it but you can't hold anything against them when they are keen to help and there for you ??????

Ken

 

[slick4591]

I'm using nylon straps but I find them hard to cinch around the leg sometimes because they want to slip off. I've never had the luxury of a calf hanging out and easy to work with. They have always been where I have to reach in and slip the nylon over the hoof and it gets slick really quick. I use my chute to run the cow in and a come-a-long hooked to the bottom of a panel as my pulling device. That creates an automatic downward angle and I can put my foot on the cable to increase the angle if need be. It seems to work well for me.

 

[Putangitangi]

My vets have always used one loop above the fetlock joint, with the chain feeding through the loop on top of the joint, so that's the way I've done it too. I have enough trouble getting one loop around, without trying to work out the complications of two!
We've either been lucky or careful enough. I always check the position of the chains before the real pulling starts and often adjust them to make sure the loop is flat on top of the joint. This season we had a couple of hard pulls and nobody seems to have been affected more than the presumed early bruising after birth.

 

[Bright Raven]

My vets have always used one loop above the fetlock joint, with the chain feeding through the loop on top of the joint, so that's the way I've done it too. I have enough trouble getting one loop around, without trying to work out the complications of two!
We've either been lucky or careful enough. I always check the position of the chains before the real pulling starts and often adjust them to make sure the loop is flat on top of the joint. This season we had a couple of hard pulls and nobody seems to have been affected more than the presumed early bruising after birth.

Exactly like my experience.