08/08/08, 05:28 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2,558
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Yes, do them now before they get any older. I always say I'm going to do them not long after birth but it never happens  and they are usually done at around weaning time, which as bottle fed calves, is approximately 3 months of age. Too much longer, it becomes a vet job but at 9 weeks they are still small enough to fit through the elastrator. I don't do it when they are wet and nor do I give anitibiotics because it's a waste of time. By the time any infection shows up, if it does, the anitbiotics have long gone from the body and won't do one iota of good. However, it you band in dry weather and they are on clean pasture there is no reason to expect infection. However, good animal husbandry should be practiced and the calves check periodically to ensure that all is well.
Greg, cutting is rarely done here now and probably for good reason - I've seen more problems with calves that have been cut than I ever have with calves that have been rung. The worst was flystrike and by the time the owner found it, it was too late and the calf had to be shot. It is not a pretty sight to see a calf with it's guts crawling with maggots.
Cheers,
Ronnie
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