Calving jack v Pulley blocks .
- Thread starter Treecreeper
- Start date
- Location
- Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Never used a pulley block but I can see the use
Jacks are ok but you have a long pole (or might have for the bigger Continental one) and it needs space to face down the right way. IF you had a pulley block with various ways to angle it could be useful, as has been said you can release a bit between contractions
I still think the alternating pull Vink jacks are the dogs though
Jacks are ok but you have a long pole (or might have for the bigger Continental one) and it needs space to face down the right way. IF you had a pulley block with various ways to angle it could be useful, as has been said you can release a bit between contractions
I still think the alternating pull Vink jacks are the dogs though
Stw88
Member
- Location
- Northumberland
Finally bought a vink this summer after using one of them awful ones that just slip off. Sadly it’s cursed, 3 outings and not a happy outcome yet 
they are a good thing tho.
they are a good thing tho.
fermerboy
Member
- Location
- Banffshire
Vink is the job.
Had others before and wouldn't go back.
Pulleys seem like a step back 50yrs, couldn't see how they could work for us with our buildings.
Had others before and wouldn't go back.
Pulleys seem like a step back 50yrs, couldn't see how they could work for us with our buildings.
I think that if you ease down on contractions and use it correctly, then possibly the safest and best tool at your disposal.
If you hammer away at the ratchet with no regard, then the worst tool. I think there should be a mandatory video or something on their use.. !
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Anything is better than the Merlo and set of straps!
Our cows are fat. No matter what I try, I end up helping at least 20%, and always at 2am ! The Vink and my 2 Ritchie calving gates are the best £800 I've ever spent on the cattle. Ever.
The new cameras are going to be the 2nd best £500...
Our cows are fat. No matter what I try, I end up helping at least 20%, and always at 2am ! The Vink and my 2 Ritchie calving gates are the best £800 I've ever spent on the cattle. Ever.
The new cameras are going to be the 2nd best £500...
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- Location
- Montgomeryshire
I don’t have cattle now, but calved plenty. If I were to buy some in-calf cows tomorrow, I would buy a Vink jack on my way back from buying them.
It’s just a tool. It’s not the jack that can do any damage, but the tool that operates it. I wouldn’t contemplate calving cows without having access to one when needed.
It’s just a tool. It’s not the jack that can do any damage, but the tool that operates it. I wouldn’t contemplate calving cows without having access to one when needed.
fermerboy
Member
- Location
- Banffshire
Damn!! Never thought of that!
The person on the jack is the most important, the make of the jack is irrelevant although some may be better than others but if you just ratchet away an rip the calf out with no regard for the cow an no understanding of how contractions work an when to pull or not then you should probably just call the vet, although that also depends how competent your vet is!! Anyone who pulls calves out the backend of a cow with a tractor or such like deserves to have the equivalent ripped out of there arsehole an then see how they feel about the job!!!
I couldn't have put it better myself.
It is quite surprising the good one can do if used patiently, sympathetically and intermittently - not 1 massive rive, but a series of contraction enhancements
THE most important thing to know about a calving jack, (mines a Vink too) is when to stop pulling, and take it out the side.
Ceasareans are not nice, but a damn sight better than a dead calf/ cow that can't stand/ dead cow.
A calving jack/ vink/ pulley is to assist the cow if it's gonna be a bit tight, not to drag the poor little barsteward out of the old bitch at all costs.
Don’t want to hang them, compresses their lungs like if they’re a fat bloating. Best bet is put them in the recovery position to help the lungs expand.
- Location
- South Molton
We bought a calving jack last year, first one ever.
We use to use long rope tied around something then placed pressure on them. Even used a tractor in the field as a dead weight to fix to.
My mum has lambed thousands of sheep for herself and difficult ones for many neighbours.
She always said if you can get a finger past a lamb or a hand past a calf there is room.
Using the jack as a pry bar is the key for gentle pressure not the ratchet part.
Why did we buy the jack?
Because with the 2nd unit and nearest help is miles away it makes things easy. I like easy.
- Location
- South Molton
And foot trimming!
Watching some bloke on youtube is not training!
Nearly
Member
- Location
- North of York
Hilly
Member
- Location
- Scottish Borders.
You can tell if they need out the side door before you even start pulling, I make it my ambition not to have to help any I have not achieved it yet but normaly now if I’m needed it’s a vet job and something big is wrong , if your helping a big % cows calve your either getting involved to quick or breeding feeding wrong ,
- Location
- South Molton
Can do that with a rope tied to something, just need two ropes.
- Location
- South Molton
Used ours on 2% in last 12 months.
- Location
- sw scotland
Autumn calvers can get fat so we leave calves on them until around 4 weeks before calving.
Spring cows are under your control and can be fed to condition.
Our best calving for interventions was in a very late Spring when silage was severely rationed and cows looked too thin. Out to nibble grass and calved easily
Hilly
Member
- Location
- Scottish Borders.