Banding or Cutting??????

pastelsummer · #21 10/10/10, 06:38 PM

i prefer banding simply because i dont like blood and well the thought of messing around with that area and a knife really creeps me out LoL

Heritagefarm · #22 10/14/10, 11:38 AM

Still sounds like I'd prefer banding. When they're small, less work to keep them trapped to band them. It also helps if they're bottle calves, too. This year I just walked up to one, slipped the band on and walked away. I think he budged a couple inches. Too bad they all aren't that good!
As for cutting, isn't there a chance of getting kicked with a 50 pound leg?

DroppedAtBirth · #23 10/14/10, 01:56 PM

I've used both and have to admit that I prefer cutting. I'll band if I've not got the help/equipment around for cutting but they cry and carry on for a few while things go numb. Great uncle of mine taught me how to cut as pain free as possible for the little guys so all the ones I've ever seen cut go right back out to grazing...never had an infection issue either way.

pastelsummer · #24 10/14/10, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DroppedAtBirth

I've used both and have to admit that I prefer cutting. I'll band if I've not got the help/equipment around for cutting but they cry and carry on for a few while things go numb. Great uncle of mine taught me how to cut as pain free as possible for the little guys so all the ones I've ever seen cut go right back out to grazing...never had an infection issue either way.

thts odd we have NEVER had a baby cry from banding. Had a few kick their heels a time or two after but never cry.

agmantoo · #25 10/14/10, 06:12 PM

I band calves frequently and do it year round. Banded 4 yesterday. I perform the banding when the calves are about a week old. They never even flinch when the banding is done. During fly season I would not even consider cutting.

Heritagefarm · #26 10/14/10, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agmantoo

I band calves frequently and do it year round. Banded 4 yesterday. I perform the banding when the calves are about a week old. They never even flinch when the banding is done. During fly season I would not even consider cutting.

It's a bad idea to band during fly season, too, though.

DroppedAtBirth · #27 10/16/10, 12:57 AM

Cry might not have been the best way for me to phrase that....they notice the banding more than the cutting and are more put off for a while but is just my personal experience which is limited to the one technique that my great uncle uses. It's a something that he's told me requires great care and attention to detail on my part if I wish to make it as pain free as he's shown me it can be. I've not been the one in charge of the knife as he always has me busier with the meds. He runs a small herd and calves are all born around the same time so they are all run through on the same day for this process. He's at least 80 years old at this time and he always cuts and I've not heard of him having very many if any problems with infections or flies. Without him around, yes, I band. I need a lot more training before I strike out on my own there. However, cut the circulation off to a finger for a bit and it will sting and throb while the nerves lose circulation which is how banding works. That part of things creeps my out way more than a knife

With either approach there is always an infection risk. Figure this is probably one of those 6 of one, half dozen of another kind of things...all three methods work, all three have risks, so it really just comes down to the one you are most comfortable with. Also was kind of tired when I posted the other...should have been he's teaching me, not taught lol.