Calving jacks

[SeanL62]

What are the best type of calving jacks out there for aiding cows and especially first calvers . . Vink looks like good quality , stainless steel rectangular shaft. Would alternate pulling on the calves legs be more effective than pulling both together. I see vink jacks can be got to work either way . What type is easiest for one person to handle. I would appreciate some advice. Thanks

 

[Fergieman]

Vink without doubt. Ours pulls both together and never been a problem.

 

[Tim G]

Vink. End of.

 

[buffalo_soldier]

Vink by a country mile.

I've got the standard pull and it's superb.
My pedigree beef farming mate rates the alternate pull, I just think it's his breeding policy that needs altering.

 

[Jdunn55]

Vink dont bother with anything else. Remember going to a talk a few years ago, the vink creates over 2000 newton's of force, as the vet said if it isnt coming out with that it needs to come out the side!

 

[Extreme Optimist]

Vink. Only one answer.

 

[bar718]

I will be controversial and say I won’t use a vink and prefer the what I class as the normal type of calving frame. Personally feel you have more control over what’s going on with a normal type of frame.

 

[Suffolksucklers]

Vink zig zag here

 

[Andrew]

Vink here and wouldn’t have anything else.
Ours pulls both legs at the same time, which is fine, but if we were buying again we’d have the zig zag one. We brought ours way before the zig zag was available though.

 

[Sid]

Vink here.

Bought 2nd hand a year ago, used it once.

Did the job.

 

[Spudley]

I have a vink zig zag and always felt it was better to wiggle the calf out if it's tight. Saying that since we started calving heifers younger I very rarely use it.

 

[matthew]

I will be controversial and say I won’t use a vink and prefer the what I class as the normal type of calving frame. Personally feel you have more control over what’s going on with a normal type of frame.

You don't have to keep the pressure on with a Vink. It still can be and should be ( unless a breech presentation) pull / release, timed to contractions.

Vink every time.

 

[milkloss]

Vink, both legs at the same time and the long pole for conti beef cows.

 

[bar718]

You don't have to keep the pressure on with a Vink. It still can be and should be ( unless a breech presentation) pull / release, timed to contractions.

Vink every time.

It is down to personal preference and what ever you feel comfortable using. The last time I used a vink frame was well over 20 years ago so they may of changed designs by now.
Saying all this the best calving aid on any farm is the kettle. If you find a cow on calving that you think needs a pull, go have a coffee first then you know she has had time to relax and more often than not she will of calved and if she hasn’t then you know she needs assistance.

 

[Fedupfarmer]

Vink best bit of kit you will bye.hope you don't have to use it very often.

 

[Slowcow]

You don't have to keep the pressure on with a Vink. It still can be and should be ( unless a breech presentation) pull / release, timed to contractions.

Vink every time.

I have a calving jack and use it a fair bit, didn't know what make until I read this and went to have a look, turns out its a vink!

You can use it very gently, let the end go up as you pull a couple clicks then push down as the cow pushes, I prefer not to assist but if I do I'll put the jack on now, just remember to duck if she turns round

 

[som farmer]

vink.
the first time we ever saw a calving jack used, was by a vet, got the calf away, he made the cow stand up, which she did, and dropped dead, that vet never came on the farm, for 20 yrs. It was probably bad luck, but dad didn't like it, and we were not allowed a calving jack for x years. The vink jack, is the best thing invented, for single handed calving.