Best calf dehorner/debudder

[Alicecow]

Getting fed up of dehorning strong weanlings so it's probably time to invest in a dehorner/debudder or whatever you want to call it.
Any advice as to which is the best sort.
Gas? Electric? Etc.
Have seen it done but not done it myself yet.
Is it difficult to do properly (assuming calf is properly restrained)?
Would be thinking of doing it at time of tagging, so 1 to 2 days old.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Can put it in your pocket and do them in the field

 

[bovine]

Little Calor propane gas cylinder and one of these:

I've tried them all. The Horn Up is about the best of the mini portable ones, but vastly expensive and less versatile. I'd consider it with small numbers and working alone, otherwise go with my suggestion.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Little Calor propane gas cylinder and one of these:

I've tried them all. The Horn Up is about the best of the mini portable ones, but vastly expensive and less versatile. I'd consider it with small numbers and working alone, otherwise go with my suggestion.

Those are shite, the jet blocks up all the time and lugging the bottle about is a ball ache

 

[Stewartry hill]

Hornex paste

 

[GTB]

Polled bull.

 

[Fergieman]

Little Calor propane gas cylinder and one of these:

I've tried them all. The Horn Up is about the best of the mini portable ones, but vastly expensive and less versatile. I'd consider it with small numbers and working alone, otherwise go with my suggestion.

Far too big a head for doing calves under 1 week old. And not really portable with a gas cylinder. We changed from the calor one about a year ago do them all with a Ritchey one now. Much more user friendly and portable. Refilled from a fag lighter areosol.

 

[bovine]

@Fergieman I couldn't disagree more. I threw one of those exact ones in the bin. The head doesn't hold the heat. With a 4kg cylinder how portable do you want it? I use the same one for goats too at a day old

 

[Fergieman]

We'll have to agree to disagree then! I wouldn't swap back.

 

[S J H]

I've had problems with the handheld one not having enough heat then I ended up with a few misshapen stumps got a new one and seems a lot better.

Does anyone know if they need servicing or is it best to buy a new head? I clean with a wire brush after each calf.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

I've had problems with the handheld one not having enough heat then I ended up with a few misshapen stumps got a new one and seems a lot better.

Does anyone know if they need servicing or is it best to buy a new head? I clean with a wire brush after each calf.

Which one? @Fergieman s?

 

[Fergieman]

The biggest problem with the ritchie one people forget to light it for a few seconds and then switch it off and relight it. Otherwise the head burns out internally.

 

[bovine]

@S J H Do you mean the ones like I link? There is a jet where the wooden handle joins that gets blocked. Needs blowing out with compressed air every now and again.

 

[S J H]

Which one? @Fergieman s?

Yes fergiemans one.

How many will yours do on 1 charge @Northeastfarmer

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Yes fergiemans one.

How many will yours do on 1 charge @Northeastfarmer

I always charge it for an hour before I'm going to use it then I'll usually only have 5/6 to do at a time but it does them no bother. No blocked jets or pipes, just crack on

 

[S J H]

@S J H Do you mean the ones like I link? There is a jet where the wooden handle joins that gets blocked. Needs blowing out with compressed air every now and again.

The biggest problem with the ritchie one people forget to light it for a few seconds and then switch it off and relight it. Otherwise the head burns out internally.

I re light mine each time, I think I'm on my third now.

 

[onthehoof]

I re light mine each time, I think I'm on my third now.

Biggest problem with these is that the gas won't burn properly if outside temperature is below about 8 degrees, I always put it in house overnight and keep in pocket when dehorning- that's the gas not the iron

 

[Alicecow]

Would the gas one blow out if you're using it in the yard and there's a breeze?

 

[An Gof]

Those are shite, the jet blocks up all the time and lugging the bottle about is a ball ache

Quite agree, wouldn't entertain one.