How soon can you catch and cut bull calves?

[Coosh71]

Sitting here looking back over my calving year, and forward to this winters feeding season. A question that came to mind was about cutting calves. We typically cut when we "work" our cows (calves from 200-400lbs). I had several late calves that I had caught in the pasture recently, cut and vaccinated with ease. What do you guys say to making this a routine practice when a new calf is a week old? And also if I decide to do this just give a Tetinus vac at that time?

 

[Craig Miller]

I think it's ok to do it at the second tet. shot. But I'd like to know for sure from one of you smarter guys..I banded last year when I gave the tet. Shot and ended up with 2 dead. In the future I'll use a different plan for the shots.

 

[kenny thomas]

The head vet at VA Tech told me a few years ago that he liked to get the calf's head out of the cow before implanting and castrated it if it was a bull as soon as it hit the ground. Castrate them when they are first born and they never knew they had them.

 

[jedstivers]

I've done bunches of them as soon as they were out of the cow. It's just to hard to do while they are still in there.

 

[JMJ Farms]

I'm with Kenny and Jed. The sooner the better. However if I couldn't do within 24 hours of birth, I'd wait till about 10 days because during that period the calf immune system leaves a lot to be desired. But that's just me. I band at birth.

 

[TCRanch]

We band day 1 or 2. Had a long discussion with our vet about whether to give tet and he really doesn't think it's necessary for our Spring bull calves but we do give a shot of Covexin 8 to the summer/fall calves when we band. If we miss a calf the 1st couple days we generally wait until we work them and then cut with a healthy dose of Covexin 8 & LA300.

 

[NolanCountyAG]

How come you are giving tetanus if you are cutting them?

 

[Bigfoot]

How come you are giving tetanus if you are cutting them?

Any open wound, is susceptible.

 

[NolanCountyAG]

How come you are giving tetanus if you are cutting them?

Any open wound, is susceptible.

Is it worse in a wetter environment? Never heard of anyone giving tetanus in this part of the world, just keep your knife clean.

 

[Bigfoot]

How come you are giving tetanus if you are cutting them?

Any open wound, is susceptible.

Is it worse in a wetter environment? Never heard of anyone giving tetanus in this part of the world, just keep your knife clean.

Can't answer that question. I do know if you've got horses around, your at a higher risk.

 

[JMJ Farms]

Any open wound, is susceptible.

Is it worse in a wetter environment? Never heard of anyone giving tetanus in this part of the world, just keep your knife clean.

Can't answer that question. I do know if you've got horses around, your at a higher risk.

Bigfoot, do donkeys fit the same bill?

 

[kenny thomas]

I hope Lucky_P, Milkmaid or one of the other vets will chime in but if I remember right a closed wound is the issue. Banding is more likely to have tetanus than knife cutting.

 

[Bigfoot]

I know it can survive without oxygen. Leads me to think a band would be worse than a cut for getting it. Almost positive any wound could do the deed. Not sure if a donkey does or not? All my info, ain't from a book though. So enter at your own risk.

Edited to add------I have both banded, and castrated calves, on the same day I gave them a tetanus shot. Not a good practice though. Probably be safer to vaccinate, and then wait.

 

[kenny thomas]

I know it can survive without oxygen. Leads me to think a band would be worse than a cut for getting it. Almost positive any wound could do the deed. Not sure if a donkey does or not? All my info, ain't from a book though. So enter at your own risk.

Edited to add------I have both banded, and castrated calves, on the same day I gave them a tetanus shot. Not a good practice though. Probably be safer to vaccinate, and then wait.

I still do but give the antitoxin instead of the toxin. But yes vaccinating and waiting is better.

 

[dun]

Any open wound, is susceptible.

Is it worse in a wetter environment? Never heard of anyone giving tetanus in this part of the world, just keep your knife clean.

Can't answer that question. I do know if you've got horses around, your at a higher risk.

I've always heard that about the horse deal.

 

[dun]

I prefer to wait at least until the calf is dry and has nursed before cutting/banding/tagging

 

[JMJ Farms]

I prefer to wait at least until the calf is dry and has nursed before cutting/banding/tagging

Me too Dun.

 

[TexasBred]

I prefer to wait at least until the calf is dry and has nursed before cutting/banding/tagging

:nod: :nod:

 

[Craig Miller]

So your saying no tet shot is necessary when you cut? I swear yall are confusing on this.

 

[Bigfoot]

So your saying no tet shot is necessary when you cut? I swear yall are confusing on this.

As usual, were grid locked. Some do, and some don't. Personally, I'm sayin this------You cut or band enough, without giving a tetanus shot, and someday you'll lose one.