Buying Tattoo and disbudding tools

Doug Hodges · #1 09/15/13, 03:37 PM

What kind and where do I get them?
Does anyone have used they would sell?
What are the best?
Lets hear the opinions. Thanks

yarrow · #2 09/15/13, 04:19 PM

while I use jeffer's for most of my online buys.. For disbudding I go with Caprine Supply

the only burner I've ever used and like is a Rhinehart x 50
http://www.caprinesupply.com/product...ding-iron.html

I also have their disbudding box.. (the box would be easy to make, but I really like their headpiece) http://www.caprinesupply.com/aluminu...lding-box.html

this box fits nubian kids really well... http://www.caprinesupply.com/kid-holding-box.html

after years of fighting an old non-revolving tattooer.. this past year I bought this one and love it.. http://www.jefferspet.com/revolving-.../LIV/cp/16198/
buy the green ink, not the black..

I also buy the nipples I use to feed all the kids from Caprine Supply as well.. http://www.caprinesupply.com/product...e-nipples.html

susie, mo ozarks

Doug Hodges · #3 09/15/13, 04:28 PM

You prefer the 3/8ths instead of 5/16ths

Doug Hodges · #4 09/15/13, 04:30 PM

Also, what about accessories. Sprays, ointments, etc......

**mygoat** · #5 09/15/13, 04:43 PM

I've never put sprays/ointments on disbudding sites, castration sites, or on tattoos.

A disbudding site is cauterized and clean and should not be moistened.

For tattoos, use GREEN tattoo PASTE. Use a soft bristle toothbrush to SCRUB the paste into the holes.

I use a tattoo plier for small animals from Jeffers. I keep mine and my double set of letters/numbers in a tackle box.

I also use the x50 disbudding iron. Doesn't matter where you get it from. I got mine before there were options in sizes - I got the 'small calf/goat' tip on mine from Jeffers. Make sure the tip is VERY snug in the hole and secure - it should NOT be loose.

yarrow · #6 09/15/13, 04:48 PM

this is the spray I use to cool down and seal the newly burned spots....

http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.h...2-00b0d0204ae5

the 3/8ths work well in those big ol' nubian ears....

I went Caprine Suppy for my disbudder (had to replace my old one.. it just wasn't heating up like is should).. because the goat tip is included.. (my first burner was from there.. so I knew I would be getting the same tip I was use to using and liked LOL)

susie, mo ozarks

Backfourty,MI. · #7 09/15/13, 05:01 PM

I bought the Rinehart X30 from Jeffers & the tattoo kit I bought from Hamby Dairy Supply. I got the kit that came with the letters & numbers & 2 sets of pliers so I can put the herd letters in one & have the year letter & kid number in the other so I don't have to change it for each ear.
You can choose 1 or 2 pliers.

http://hambydairysupply.com/xcart/pr...productid=1816

Doug Hodges · #8 09/15/13, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backfourty,MI.

I bought the Rinehart X30 from Jeffers & the tattoo kit I bought from Hamby Dairy Supply. I got the kit that came with the letters & numbers & 2 sets of pliers so I can put the herd letters in one & have the year letter & kid number in the other so I don't have to change it for each ear.
You can choose 1 or 2 pliers.

http://hambydairysupply.com/xcart/pr...productid=1816

Wow. That's got everything and is half the price

Doug Hodges · #9 09/15/13, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backfourty,MI.

I bought the Rinehart X30 from Jeffers & the tattoo kit I bought from Hamby Dairy Supply. I got the kit that came with the letters & numbers & 2 sets of pliers so I can put the herd letters in one & have the year letter & kid number in the other so I don't have to change it for each ear.
You can choose 1 or 2 pliers.

http://hambydairysupply.com/xcart/pr...productid=1816

How come its so cheap?

Awnry Abe · #10 09/15/13, 09:46 PM

Doug, don't forget a good pair of welding gloves. I have made a box with the headpiece mentioned by Susie. It works great and doubles as my storage/toolbox for disbudding. The gloves live in there because I am a notorious glove loser.

yarrow · #11 09/15/13, 10:37 PM

hmm.... hadn't ever thought about wearing gloves.. I just bare hand it.. (haven't ever been burned.. at least not yet LOL).. I do about 50 or so kids each year.. not sure I'd be able to wear gloves now, after doing it like I have for so long... Doug, you'll just have to decide which way you want to go with it and START that way.. once you get YOUR own way/feel for it.. it's just a matter of repeating it each and every time..

like two of the bucklings I bought a few weeks ago.. Coso and I agree.. it looks like whoever disbudded them (both are from the same breeder).. more then likely sat on the box and disbudded from behind.. also probably right handed.. did fine on the right side.. left side is AWFUL.. some disbudding down on the right half of the left horn. but mostly an entire miss from the center out to the left hand side.. going to have to snip the left horn off and totally reburn the entire area).. I stand in front .. always do the left one first, then the right... not sure WHY??? but it's how I do each and every kid.. once I'm done disbudding (oh, I spray each bud as soon as I'm done)... I then move on to the tatoo.. again.. I start with the left ear.. probably because that side if my right side and I'm right handed) Doelings are super quick and easy.. bucklings take a bit more work (But nubian bucklings are the easiest of the bucks to do)

susie, mo ozarks

Doug Hodges · #12 09/15/13, 10:43 PM

I think we've decided two pliers. That way just do one. Grab the other and do it. Definitely the box so I can do it myself. Stand in front sounds best for sure. I've got everything picked out. Just have to checkout from Caprine, Hamby and Jeffers?

Otter suggested human tattoo gun. They are only $15. Plus paste. But my wife said she wasn't doing it and I can't even write my name where you can read it. Lol. O well. It's only $50 extra.

How long does an oz of paste last?

Backfourty,MI. · #13 09/16/13, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Hodges

How come its so cheap?

I don't know but it worked really well for me this year.
I also did a lot of checking around before I finally decided on the set above. Some places charge you extra for the letters or numbers & this set came with everything & a box to keep it all in.

The tube of green paste that comes with the kit will last you a really long time unless your doing a zillion babies every year.

I don't wear gloves either Susie.

Bret4207 · #14 09/16/13, 06:58 AM

I've tried the electric dehorner but the one I used didn't get hot enough at all. I still use the old stand by manual model heated up to glowing orange with a torch. Lots quicker for me and less stress IMO on the kid.

Doug Hodges · #15 09/16/13, 07:07 AM

At what age are these things done?

**mygoat** · #16 09/16/13, 08:49 AM

I disbud and tattoo at the same time, less than 1 week of age. Most kids here probably get done around 5 days old. On a dainty/runty doe kid I might wait the full week.

Awnry Abe · #17 09/16/13, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yarrow

hmm.... hadn't ever thought about wearing gloves.. I just bare hand it.. (haven't ever been burned.. at least not yet LOL).. I do about 50 or so kids each year.. not sure I'd be able to wear gloves now, after doing it like I have for so long... Doug, you'll just have to decide which way you want to go with it and START that way.. once you get YOUR own way/feel for it.. it's just a matter of repeating it each and every time..

You know, I think I am 50%. I wear a glove on the head holding hand, but the tool holding hand is gloveless. Sorta like Michael Jackson. I do a little moonwalk after each one, to the sound of my screaming fans. I think I got into the glove habit from disbudding prior to building the box. I was lucky to avoid the ER on those kids. And the disbudding job was terrible. I am 100% using the box.

Bret4207 · #18 09/17/13, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Hodges

At what age are these things done?

I usually try to disbud in the first month. It depends on the vigor of the particular kid. Sometimes if we get and early kidding and weak kids you have to wait just a little longer to ensure the stress isn't too much for them. I've done them up to a couple months old, but once the horn base gets a good start it gets increasingly difficult to get a good job done.

Tattooing I don't have any experience with yet. Had goats for over 25 years, but never had cause to tattoo. SWMBO says we did tattoo some many years abck with a borrowed rig, but I have no recollection of it.

coso · #19 09/17/13, 09:41 AM

My LM and anything that is Swiss I disbud under a week old, Nubians you can wait longer. As long as I have a nub I'm good to go. Swiss bucks are the worst, if you don't really work them over good you will end up with scurs ! I have two pair of the 3/8th pliers one for the herd name tattoo and one for the year and number. So I don't have to change them out. Actually i have three pair . Won a pair at a goat show raffle. I have the X-50 for a disbudder. I use alushield to spray on the bud after I do it, it has a cooling effect and kind of seals off the wound. MFA carries it here in West Plains, MO. TSC carries it too.

**mygoat** · #20 09/17/13, 09:47 AM

I wear a glove on the head-holding hand, no glove on the disbudder hand.

I do not have a box. Someone built one and gave it to me, It's sat in my barn collecting dust. I tried it but the kids were too small for the box, though it was built to hoegger plans?

I sit on my butt and make the baby lay down facing me, pinning it down with my legs. It's more comfortable to sit up against a wall so I have a backrest. I use my left hand to hold the head, and pin the other side against my thigh. Hold the ear out of the way.

On older/bigger kids, I make them lay down and then I kneel over them facing the same way, and pin their head to my knee. I've disbudded older kids and just snip off the horn growth with a pair of hoof trimmers first, then burn well. It is not fun or easy though, but it can be done. I much prefer disbudding at a week of age or less.