Best calf dehorning crate ?

[organicguy]

we have a change of staff so need to use a crate rather than halter as we used to.
Which make is the best, and what are the features that you think are essential?
(I have a nasty feeling that not all makes will be available in the time scale)

TIA
OG

 

[sidjon]

Get the vet to sedate them, easier for man a beast.

 

[Holsteinfriesian90]

Bateman.

 

[Hampton]

We’ve got a Bateman. It’s a good size, has front exit, can be fixed to a race and has wheels if you want to move it. Would recommend it

 

[Spudley]

Our calf cart has a little headlock so I use that. I can drive it right into the pen and drive them in - but I am a not very strong lady and do them at 2 weeks old so my answer may not be very relevant to your situation!

 

[Rossymons]

Normally I would say Bateman. It's a fantastic crate.

But I've spoken to a couple different vets and if theres a decent bunch sedating them seems to be the popular option. I can see the benefits of it

 

[organicguy]

Our calf cart has a little headlock so I use that. I can drive it right into the pen and drive them in - but I am a not very strong lady and do them at 2 weeks old so my answer may not be very relevant to your situation!

Part of the reason for getting a crate is a lady will be doing the dehorning this year.
Anyone any experience of Teemore crate?

 

[Tarw Coch]

Part of the reason for getting a crate is a lady will be doing the dehorning this year.
Anyone any experience of Teemore crate?

No experience, but having seen a teemore one I would say it’s the best I’ve seen.

 

[buffalo_soldier]

Teemore here and it's super dooper. If you're any good at the search function I'm fairly sure I put up pics and a review when I first used it. C. Sep/oct'17 most likely.

Only niggle it has is the bungee cord for the nose can be a bit hit and miss.

 

[Chae1]

We just use one a pikey sold us off back of a lorry.

It's been really good. Its just a headstock with a gate that shuts behind it.

 

[manhill]

I just use the adult crush on the narrowest setting.

 

[milkloss]

I just use the adult crush on the narrowest setting.

we do the same, run up to ten through and give the anaesthetic and then run them back to dehorn. If it's only 3 or 4 we just shuffle them round inside the crush.

 

[Happy]

Got an old Poldenvale one here. Way ahead of it‘s time when I see all these fixed width ones that seem to be all you get nowadays.
Mini Squeeze crush. Fixed on one side and squeezes up on the other once you have caught the calf in the head yoke. No struggling or kicking involved.
We just sit it at the end of the standard crush and run them through into it.

 

[The Grinch]

IAE one here, absolute rubbish, fastening the yoke with a chain is a complete ball ache and dangerous too ! Curse the thing every time we use it.

 

[organicguy]

IAE one here, absolute rubbish, fastening the yoke with a chain is a complete ball ache and dangerous too ! Curse the thing every time we use it.

Thanks for this, as useful as the positive recommendations.

 

[Katarina]

We've used a Large IAE calf crush now for many years and we cant fault it. Its robust and its a sturdy safe crush to work with. Wouldnt dream of changing it for any of the others on sale.

 

[Farmer 83563]

Bateman.

Bateman kit is good but sales and backup here in Wales is absolute shite!... Ritchie every time here now well made and top class service

 

[Cows 'n grass]

Another advantage of smaller cows, I can comfortably do 10-12 an hour if I do them at 2-3 weeks just holding them between my knees.

I had 40 BB X that I missed this spring and I had the vet in to sedate them at 12 weeks. It worked well but not half as well as just getting them done when they're young and not too strong.

 

[The Grinch]

To be fair after looking on IAE website ours must be an old type, no hinged rear side doors and has a chain to keep the locking handle fastened down. Chain always dragging in the sh1t, if handle isn’t locked down calf lifts head up and the handle hits you in the face, this has happened to old chap and the vet who both were rather p1ssed off when it happened!

 

[organicguy]

I have seen but can no longer find, a calf crush where 1 side folds in to pinch the calf and stop it falling down. Does anyone know what make it might be?
The Teemore one looks like the proverbial!
Need a bit more insight from users please!