Bolusing cows

[j6891]

Have been mineral bolusing my cattle for about the last 5 years and thinking there must be a better way that my current battle. Has anyone got any good tips for streamlining this as can be slow when I have to halter individuals who thrash their head about. Keep feeling I'm close to getting sparked out when one lashes the head about when I'm hanging on.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Yes a crush with a headscoop
Jobs a piece of p!ss

 

[som farmer]

or go to the gym, and get stronger !

 

[ISCO]

Headscoop does help a lot bit I also use a hook wormer gun to open their mouths which I find a lot easier. Once hook gun is in you have a bit of control.

 

[j6891]

Yes a crush with a headscoop
Jobs a piece of p!ss

Have a clipex headscoop which has the clamp setup. Thinking maybe top bar off then scoop up high so less movement?? Just seem to still have lots of movement even when "scooped"

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Have a clipex headscoop which has the clamp setup. Thinking maybe top bar off then scoop up high so less movement?? Just seem to still have lots of movement even when "scooped"

I’m not au fait with the clipex I’m afraid so can’t comment but when mines scooped right up they can’t move very much….try yours with the top bar off and see how it goes

 

[jamie]

Have been mineral bolusing my cattle for about the last 5 years and thinking there must be a better way that my current battle. Has anyone got any good tips for streamlining this as can be slow when I have to halter individuals who thrash their head about. Keep feeling I'm close to getting sparked out when one lashes the head about when I'm hanging on.

I am right handed, and stand on the animals right. Left hand over its face and put my fingers into its mouth, avoiding the teeth, holding onto the top part. This makes them open their mouth and put head up. bolus gun in and job done. 95 percent are no problem, and there's an iae headsoop for what's not, it's not ideal but saves trying to pick their head up from the floor. Quieter cattle would be the next step I guess.

 

[crashbox]

Have been mineral bolusing my cattle for about the last 5 years and thinking there must be a better way that my current battle. Has anyone got any good tips for streamlining this as can be slow when I have to halter individuals who thrash their head about. Keep feeling I'm close to getting sparked out when one lashes the head about when I'm hanging on.

1. Do you need mins?
2. Head scoop and side gates that fold out so you don't get beat against the sides.
3. Consider all alternatives e.g.

Mineral lick (in badger proof holder)?
Tickle of cake?
Liquid mineral dosing system in water?

It's not easy.

Good luck.

 

[crashbox]

I am right handed, and stand on the animals right. Left hand over its face and put my fingers into its mouth, avoiding the teeth, holding onto the top part. This makes them open their mouth and put head up. bolus gun in and job done. 95 percent are no problem, and there's an iae headsoop for what's not, it's not ideal but saves trying to pick their head up from the floor. Quieter cattle would be the next step I guess.

I have stumbled upon the same technique.

Alternatively there is an oral pacifier for freeze branding. Could use for boluses by poking in first then follow with the bolus gun, I suppose.

Easy Boss E Home - Easy Boss E

Easy Boss E (EBE) is an ingenuitive oral distraction device developed for safe cattle handling that incorporates the reflexive and natural chewing behavior of cattle to distract the animal. Compared to standard cattle handling methods, the EBE allows for a more humane approach to cattle handling...

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1.1 Pruex Easy Boss E - Low stress cattle handling Device

You can find out more at www.easybosse.com Cattle that need treatment and are restrained can get stressed and agitated and become a risk to those handling them. This can limit production. Even in a crush or held at a feed barrier, the stress levels on the animal can be damaging, and they...

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[tinsheet]

I am right handed, and stand on the animals right. Left hand over its face and put my fingers into its mouth, avoiding the teeth, holding onto the top part. This makes them open their mouth and put head up. bolus gun in and job done. 95 percent are no problem, and there's an iae headsoop for what's not, it's not ideal but saves trying to pick their head up from the floor. Quieter cattle would be the next step I guess.

Will try that way,
Slightly different here, just pull on the corner of their mouth/cheek like you 95% piece of cake.
Bulls are fun

 

[Hilly]

I am right handed, and stand on the animals right. Left hand over its face and put my fingers into its mouth, avoiding the teeth, holding onto the top part. This makes them open their mouth and put head up. bolus gun in and job done. 95 percent are no problem, and there's an iae headsoop for what's not, it's not ideal but saves trying to pick their head up from the floor. Quieter cattle would be the next step I guess.

Thats what i do .

 

[bobajob]

I am right handed, and stand on the animals right. Left hand over its face and put my fingers into its mouth, avoiding the teeth, holding onto the top part. This makes them open their mouth and put head up. bolus gun in and job done. 95 percent are no problem, and there's an iae headsoop for what's not, it's not ideal but saves trying to pick their head up from the floor. Quieter cattle would be the next step I guess.

Also do similar here, it's quite funny when you get an old cow in the crush that knows the score and you go towards her with the bolus gun and she opens her mouth and just stands quietly waiting on it!!

On the other hand a heifer that is a bit more flighty is not so easy!

 

[Hilly]

Also do similar here, it's quite funny when you get an old cow in the crush that knows the score and you go towards her with the bolus gun and she opens her mouth and just stands quietly waiting on it!!

On the other hand a heifer that is a bit more flighty is not so easy!

Get odd ones that wont open mouths take alot of getting open

 

[som farmer]

having been main front of crush man, for ear tags, worming fluke and bolus, for a few decades, l have found the easiest way for each action.

let someone younger, stronger and fitter than me do it, and just give useful/less advice.

 

[Whitepeak]

I am right handed, and stand on the animals right. Left hand over its face and put my fingers into its mouth, avoiding the teeth, holding onto the top part. This makes them open their mouth and put head up. bolus gun in and job done. 95 percent are no problem, and there's an iae headsoop for what's not, it's not ideal but saves trying to pick their head up from the floor. Quieter cattle would be the next step I guess.

Same here except I lift the head horizontally with the head scoop first. It stops them putting their head to the floor making it easier to grab hold, and also helps reduce how much they thrash about. Not sure I'd want to bolus cows without a head scoop tbh!
I also have halters and nose clips handy for the odd awkward sod!

 

[ladycrofter]

Also do similar here, it's quite funny when you get an old cow in the crush that knows the score and you go towards her with the bolus gun and she opens her mouth and just stands quietly waiting on it!!

On the other hand a heifer that is a bit more flighty is not so easy!

More like puts her head down and starts that weird angry howling 2 halters and still nearly broke my arm.