Dehorning & casterating, anyone want to help?

springvalley · #1 10/27/10, 08:43 PM

I`m going to dehorn and casterate all my jersey calves a week from Friday. The moon sign is right for it that day. Anyone from the area that would like to learn how, you are more than welcome to come on out and help or watch. If you can`t stand blood this may not be the thing to see. It will be after lunch so if your interested let me know. We will also be using natural blood stop, so come see what we use. > Thanks Marc

Callieslamb · #2 10/28/10, 07:18 AM

You know, Marc, there aren't very many places in this world that you can issue an invitation to a party like that one......LOL!!!

unclejae · #3 10/28/10, 08:00 AM

Hey, I'm not very far away! What time? I work the night shift the night before and will be getting home around 8ish.

unclejae

G3farms · #4 10/28/10, 08:09 AM

what kind of natural blood stop do you use?

Have used a barnes type dehorner in the past, take a pair of forceps and pull out the blood vessel to stop the bleeding then cover with a cotton ball. That is how we did it in the past, have all polled stock now.

springvalley · #5 10/28/10, 12:17 PM

I`m going to try to get Catherine to take a few pictures, I will post after we do the job what we use for natural blood stop. We will be starting after luch a week from Friday, so if you want directions let me know. > Thanks Marc

**gone-a-milkin** · #6 10/28/10, 02:56 PM

Marc, that sounds like a heck of a party.
I think I am going to have to give it a skip this time.

I have been to these parties before and usually will opt for a doubleshift of
milking all the ff's and w/o any grain. That is more fun, IMO.

Thanks though.

francismilker · #7 10/29/10, 05:29 PM

I guess it depends on how big the calves are..........

triple divide · #8 10/29/10, 07:53 PM

I want to know the natural blood stop as well. Since boyhood I was taught to use hydrated lime and pine tar. Works perfectly, even if the horns require gougers due to not puting the iron to them soon enough.

springvalley · #9 10/29/10, 09:58 PM

We have never used electric dehorners, guess I`m set in my ways. I have done so many cattle this way it would make your head spin. I use to dehorn and cut alot of cattle in the neighborhood, but not many cattle left around. I did a little experiment the last time I dehorned calves, I put store bought blood stop on some calves and cobwebs on others. Now you won`t believe me I`m sure but the ones I put the cobwebs on healed sooner and had no infection at all, NONE. I know this is no research farm, but I like to do my own tests. We discovered the new natural blood stop this summer when Catherine sliced off the end of her finger, the blood wouldn`t stop, preasure worked but as soon as you let go blood would flow again. We called the doctor, and all they wanted was for Catherine to come in maybe get stitches( and I knew that wouldn`t work) and we would have had a heck of a doctors bill. So we used a natural plat that grows on our farm, powdered it, put on the wound and instantly stopped the blood. Now Catherine was a little less than happy to be a lab rat, but the finger did not throb and never got infected either. The tip of her finger has healed over nicely and can`t even tell what happened. So stay tuned as we do our job, and try out our new blood stop. > Marc

Cheribelle · #10 10/31/10, 04:32 AM

Well, having helped at my uncle's farm with this very job Many years ago.... I must decline your kind invitation. I am very interested in hearing more about your natural blood stop though!

nduetime · #11 11/01/10, 10:02 AM

So..how did it go, pics please! Wish I could have been there, thought about it, then DH thought about all the stuff I had to do to get ready for winter here!

unclejae · #12 11/01/10, 02:18 PM

I sent you a PM.

springvalley · #13 11/01/10, 09:07 PM

I made a huge MISTAKE, I have the wrong date, It should be Nov. 13, Saturday. Invitation is still out so hope you all can come out. > Thanks Marc<<<< Man I can`t win for loseing, Wifes sister has a going away party on Saturday, so going to have to do it on Friday the 12th. This is the kinda thing you have happen down on the farm, things pop up.> Later Marc

Cheribelle · #14 11/02/10, 01:05 AM

My uncle also swore by doing things by the moon signs. I do too, as much as possible. Weaning goes easier, you get less blood and faster healing with the bloody jobs.