crazyportage
Member
Why is the 'penalty' for frozen ears so severe at the auction barn?
frozen ears
- Thread starter crazyportage
- Start date
Help Support CattleToday:
ALACOWMAN
Well-known member
I know someone is gonna say it so k.m.a. in advance ;-)
CattleAnnie
Well-known member
Frozen ears are a sign that it was very cold when a calf was born. (If you think you get hit for selling a short eared calf, try selling one with short ears and tail.)
Basically, the thinking is that if it was cold enough when the calf was born for it freeze it's extremities, then there is also a strong chance that it's lungs have been damaged by the cold.
Calves with lung damage don't tend to do as well as their healthier counterparts.
Cattle who have had lung damage due to cold don't always exhibit many obvious signs until they are starting to get closer to being finished...then sometimes you can hear them breathing from quite a few feet away from the animal.
Take care.
Basically, the thinking is that if it was cold enough when the calf was born for it freeze it's extremities, then there is also a strong chance that it's lungs have been damaged by the cold.
Calves with lung damage don't tend to do as well as their healthier counterparts.
Cattle who have had lung damage due to cold don't always exhibit many obvious signs until they are starting to get closer to being finished...then sometimes you can hear them breathing from quite a few feet away from the animal.
Take care.
Victoria
Well-known member
CattleAnnie is correct also on top of that they also worry about feet. Ears that got frostbite may be a sign that the feet also got frostbite and that can cause problems when they gain weight.
CattleAnnie
Well-known member
Thanks, Victoria...forgot to mention the feet. 
Here's a nice explanation by Roy Rutledge, market operator and auctioneer of Assiniboia Auction market.
http://www.assiniboiaauction.com/RoysBu ... 01907.html
Take care.
Here's a nice explanation by Roy Rutledge, market operator and auctioneer of Assiniboia Auction market.
http://www.assiniboiaauction.com/RoysBu ... 01907.html
Take care.
ALACOWMAN
Well-known member
Good post annie, what i was refering too dun was some comment about getting docked for too much ear. not one with not enough ;-)dun":18hlztmr said:
ALACOWMAN
Well-known member
dont know about that but sounds like a he!! of a idea. my ex wife a vet. trims dog ears from time to time but i never let her try on my cows.dun":3qixzavz said:
crazyportage
Member
See that's what I don't get. I've been around cattle for about 15 years now and we always have some with frozen ears. Some we have kept for several years in our cow-calf operation. I have never seen them have breathing problems etc.
ALACOWMAN
Well-known member
well although you havent had a problem with them evidentialy the buyers have and thats why their docking them. they go on past experiances.not gonna take a chance if it will or won'tcrazyportage":1f3vf3bw said:
randiliana
Well-known member
crazyportage":1z63ho9j said:
Depending on where you live, and up here in Canada, is a good example, it can get cold enough to freeze not only ears, but tails AND feet. We have kept lots of frozen eared calves for replacements, and have never had a problem.
I have, however, seen calves that have frozen their feet bad enough that their hooves literally fell off. Those ones don't make it to the feedlots, but there are lots that had a touch of frostbite, and their feet will either refreeze the following winter, or they will get so bad/sore that they cannot stand or walk. They certainly won't last until the calf is slaughter weight.
WE haven't had any that had frozen feet, or for that matter damage to their lungs. And, if we did they would go to market or be put down depending on circumstances, not end up in the cow herd.
