AI gun warmers.

[Paul E]

I'm planning on AI ing a few heifers at grass this summer, and depending on which field they're in, could be quite a walk from home. (upto a mile) Cogent chap suggested a bank of self locking yokes in the field, but I don't want to take the tank there, and am scared it's too far (and take too long) with a loaded gun down my back. So was wondering how long a gun warmer would hold a loaded AI gun at the right temperature?
Or any other suggestions? TIA.

 

[Martyn]

Just put straws in cold water then inseminate, use cold water for everything here, can you get hold of a travel ai flask to run out to the heifers with?

 

[Ballygreenan]

Are you planning to use sexed semen?

 

[Paul E]

Just put straws in cold water then inseminate, use cold water for everything here, can you get hold of a travel ai flask to run out to the heifers with?

What, just cold water, as in not blood temperature??
Not tried a portable flask, but could be a good idea.

 

[Paul E]

Are you planning to use sexed semen?

No plans yet,(beef) maybe next year if it works OK this time.

 

[Scholsey]

Just put straws in cold water then inseminate, use cold water for everything here, can you get hold of a travel ai flask to run out to the heifers with?

remember seeing a Irish guy on TV thaw ai straw by running it between his lips, still baffled by it today.

How about one of those portable electric warming flasks? load the gun in the field then.

 

[Martyn]

What, just cold water, as in not blood temperature??
Not tried a portable flask, but could be a good idea.

I just have a jam jar of cold air temp water, stick staw in it, then get sheif and paper ready, load straw, down my back and in cow within 2/3 mins, seam to have plenty of calves, was how i was talked.

l

 

[Stuart1]

remember seeing a Irish guy on TV thaw ai straw by running it between his lips, still baffled by it today.

How about one of those portable electric warming flasks? load the gun in the field then.

I know a farmer a few miles down the road from me that’s all his straws with his breath. Don’t think I’d chance it but he gets them in calf

 

[Sid]

Farm ai tech told me, for a while he just put straw in gun, down back, and into cow. No defrosting.
Said conception rate didn't vary.

 

[Llmmm]

Farm ai tech told me, for a while he just put straw in gun, down back, and into cow. No defrosting.
Said conception rate didn't vary.

Theres been numerous studies done on correct thawing ive never seen a study to recommend above its hard enough to get cows incalf without messing around.the procedure for thawing sexed semen should be used on all semen

 

[Rossymons]

In my AI box I have a folded over reptile heat mat. It's a USB connection so it fits into the same car charger for your phone. I plug it into the van in the boot and warms my guns to about 35'C. The mat and couple of cables I needed came to about a tenner.

You can get gun warmers that screw onto the top of the straw thawer but they look too cumbersome for my liking. You can also get an electronic gun warmer which hangs off your neck which looks even worse.

 

[Ballygreenan]

In my AI box I have a folded over reptile heat mat. It's a USB connection so it fits into the same car charger for your phone. I plug it into the van in the boot and warms my guns to about 35'C. The mat and couple of cables I needed came to about a tenner.

You can get gun warmers that screw onto the top of the straw thawer but they look too cumbersome for my liking. You can also get an electronic gun warmer which hangs off your neck which looks even worse.

I'm gonna Google reptile heat mats now!! Most of the time I keep my guns (for the Ai run) in the centre air vent in the van. Usually the air temp keeps them right, but in the summer (if it ever arrives) the air-con is too cold!

 

[Rossymons]

I'm gonna Google reptile heat mats now!! Most of the time I keep my guns (for the Ai run) in the centre air vent in the van. Usually the air temp keeps them right, but in the summer (if it ever arrives) the air-con is too cold!

Make sure to unplug it when you're done as it'll drain your power as it stays on constantly. It doesn't take long to warm up though. When the gun is warm it'll be fine down your front until you reach the animal.

 

[Davy]

Good idea that. The proper gun warmers are ridiculously expensive for what they are. I stick them down my top for a few minutes whilst I write numbers and get organised. I'd say they're warm enough by the time they're used and it's free

 

[Spear]

I used to put straws into Thernos if warm water and guns down my back till I was at field then load guns.

 

[Spear]

I used to put straws into Thermos if warm water and guns down my back till I was at field then load guns.