Does a beef calf need to be neutered?

[sara]

Quote:
I wouldn't advise someone to just try to band there bull without some training. Although it's fairly easy if you know what you are doing, It's also very easy to mess up.

 

[Chatychick]

I have and use a squeeze chute to do my nbanding and have still been kicked. Its not as easy as some think, I also have a cattle bander that cost way more than $20 dollars, and the bands alone are $2.50 each. The little green bands work if they are little babies but not when they get over 300 lbs. The testies are just to big to fit thru. Also you need to give the cd/t shot and blackleg too.
Good luck

 

[justhatchin]

BAND HIM. If you know a local cattleman ask him if he would help you out for a fee. Our neighbor loaned us the band and elasticator. We do our goats so had experience but not big enough band.

 

[Samarai Jenn]

I'd band them if I were you. I've raised cattle my whole life, and the ones that weren't banned are much more agressive. My husband hired a young girl to work out with him in the barn last summer and she was cleaning out the back pen area the bull calf jumped on her and knocked her down. Needless to say, she quit working in the back pen after that.

 

[Skyesrocket]

Chatychick, Either you have a super heavy duty one, or I got a great deal when I bought mine at the feed store.
Mine is made by Ideal Instruments and was $6.70. And I bought a whole bag of Ideal bands for calves under 250 lbs for $1.10. They are the little green bands. I don't use it very often, but when I do need it it does the trick.

 

[valerie]

I wouldn't band him when you first get him. Let him get use to the new place etc. Just a thought
Valerie

 

[Chatychick]

Well I have the Callicrate bander for larger calves and it has the really larger band you crank the handle to tighten the bands and crimp the clip. The bands are made out of tubing. Yes this is the expensive type of bander and its paid for itself several times over. I only use the little green bands to wether my goats as the bands dont get big enough to band a 6 mth old calf. These bands will fix a grown bull.
I also wait to band when the calves are 6 mths old as they need the growth time and have excellent results and dont use growth hormones. I think it all depends on when you band as to what size you can use. If I banded when they were born the green bands would work but thats not what I do here.

 

[texaschickmama]

If you don't cut him, I hope you have very strong fences and no cows around you that come into heat.

 

[Skyesrocket]

Hi Chatychick,
That explains it. Around here we have several dairys and people are given jersey bull calves to raise for the freezer. Jerseys are a lot smaller and the one I have works well enough for them and for wethering goats.
I understand about a good tool paying for itself. I have my favorite tools around here and I just wouldn't try to do a job with anything else.
Your right, it just depends on how often your going to use the tool and the size of the calf. For an inexperienced person I would suggest to band when they are smaller and easier to handle or to get someone else to do it for you.