One eartag or Two?

[bcox]

I am going to eartag my hiefers tomorrow with a fly control eartag by placing one ear tag in their right ear.

Some farmers use one in the left and one in the right.

I was wanting to know the opinion of the board?

Thanks.

bcox

 

[mitchwi]

bcox - When I retain heifers I do not use the insecticide eartags... I just figure, they wear out(insecticide) and their ears would look like they were shot full of birdshot after a few years. Cattle that are going to be fed get tags in both ears. Retained animals I use other methods, but no ear tags.

 

[dun]

bcox - When I retain heifers I do not use the insecticide eartags... I just figure, they wear out(insecticide) and their ears would look like they were shot full of birdshot after a few years. Cattle that are going to be fed get tags in both ears. Retained animals I use other methods, but no ear tags.

You don;t reuse the same hole?

dun

 

[SPRINGER FARMS MURRAY GRE]

I put one in the heifers/cows/small calves, the bulls get two, one in each ear. I replace them every 6 months or so. ;-) :cboy:

 

[msscamp]

I just figure, they wear out(insecticide) and their ears would look like they were shot full of birdshot after a few years.

Why not simply re-use the same hole for the next tag?

 

[samm]

we use the same hole too

 

[Bucky]

Anybody find they cause eyes to water at first?

We put 1 in each of our 550 lb steers ears.

 

[mitchwi]

bcox - When I retain heifers I do not use the insecticide eartags... I just figure, they wear out(insecticide) and their ears would look like they were shot full of birdshot after a few years. Cattle that are going to be fed get tags in both ears. Retained animals I use other methods, but no ear tags.

You don;t reuse the same hole?

dun

How in the heck can you get into the same hole each time?? :shock: The way they throw their heads around when they are in the chute??? If I thought I could, I would try it!! I did notice last time I was at the sale barn they had these bars on the front of the chute that kinda "locked their head more in place... our chute doesn't have that, but it looks to be an easy weld job. Do you have these?

 

[randiliana]

How in the heck can you get into the same hole each time?? :shock: The way they throw their heads around when they are in the chute??? If I thought I could, I would try it!! I did notice last time I was at the sale barn they had these bars on the front of the chute that kinda "locked their head more in place... our chute doesn't have that, but it looks to be an easy weld job. Do you have these?

You just let them throw their head around until they quit. Then snap the tag in the old hole. If you do that it doesn't hurt and next time it should be easier.

 

[dun]

bcox - When I retain heifers I do not use the insecticide eartags... I just figure, they wear out(insecticide) and their ears would look like they were shot full of birdshot after a few years. Cattle that are going to be fed get tags in both ears. Retained animals I use other methods, but no ear tags.

You don;t reuse the same hole?

dun

How in the heck can you get into the same hole each time?? :shock: The way they throw their heads around when they are in the chute??? If I thought I could, I would try it!! I did notice last time I was at the sale barn they had these bars on the front of the chute that kinda "locked their head more in place... our chute doesn't have that, but it looks to be an easy weld job. Do you have these?

Only had problems with one and she tore the ear all the way to the end. Of course she did that when we tried putting a second tag in her ear also.

dun

 

[mitchwi]

bcox - When I retain heifers I do not use the insecticide eartags... I just figure, they wear out(insecticide) and their ears would look like they were shot full of birdshot after a few years. Cattle that are going to be fed get tags in both ears. Retained animals I use other methods, but no ear tags.

You don;t reuse the same hole?

dun

How in the heck can you get into the same hole each time?? :shock: The way they throw their heads around when they are in the chute??? If I thought I could, I would try it!! I did notice last time I was at the sale barn they had these bars on the front of the chute that kinda "locked their head more in place... our chute doesn't have that, but it looks to be an easy weld job. Do you have these?

Only had problems with one and she tore the ear all the way to the end. Of course she did that when we tried putting a second tag in her ear also.

dun

Well... I guess I just might try that next spring! Thanks!

 

[milkmaid]

Or you can slip a rope halter on and snub their head to the side...like you would for dehorning...and then put the tag in while they're *immobilized*. Takes a little more time in the chute, but...

 

[bcox]

I eartagged mine yesterday morning with one ear tag.

Some of my cattle had old ear tags.

What is the best way to remove existing eartags?

bcox

 

[El_Putzo]

What is the best way to remove existing eartags?

bcox

Some use a special knife available at most feedstores and through vet supply houses, but I'm a cheapskate. Can't see spending the extra for the knife when I have a perfectly good pair of side cutters.

 

[dun]

What is the best way to remove existing eartags?

bcox

Some use a special knife available at most feedstores and through vet supply houses, but I'm a cheapskate. Can't see spending the extra for the knife when I have a perfectly good pair of side cutters.

We used to use the sidecutters, but for a buck and half and the speed that the tag cutters work we quit doing it.

dun

 

[bcox]

I'll be sure to have a pair of tag cutters the next time.

I did not know their was such an animal.

Thanks.

bcox

 

[dun]

I'll be sure to have a pair of tag cutters the next time.

I did not know their was such an animal.

Thanks.

bcox

A lot priceier then when I got them

http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html ... b0d0204ae5

dun

 

[bcox]

Dun,

Thanks for the website.

That place is awesome!

bcox

 

[msscamp]

I'll be sure to have a pair of tag cutters the next time.

I did not know their was such an animal.

Thanks.

bcox

A lot priceier then when I got them

http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html ... b0d0204ae5

dun

They will pay for themselves in a very short time just due to ease of use, speed, lack of frustration, and no cut ears! At least, I think so. :lol: :lol:

 

[cypressfarms]

Most insecticide ear tag companies recommend TWO tags, one in each ear. Don't know if it's just so they can sell more, but that's the recommended amount. We use the same holes also. If a cow gets a little ornery, I put the nose thongs in her and we pull the head to one side. It will not hurt them at all if you use the same hole, Now if you hit a vein, watch out!