Bull-no nose ring

L1985

Hi guys. So we got a new bull an 18month old charlois polled(decided to try charlois for a while). I didn't view him my father did but when he came home I saw he had no nose ring. I have a couple of issues with it obviously safety but also we live beside a river so have fishermen (unfortunately) who would access our fields and having a bull with a ring in his nose makes it obvious he's a bull. Dad was saying he's a bit old to get it done now but I think he's not mad on the hassle.( I know no comments on hassle vs safety I'm blue in the face already). My proper q is-he's safe enough for the moment as isn't being used much and is being out wintered so isn't around the farm really .
Firstly I presume it's a vets job how big a job is it? Can it wait till spring and better weather and would the bull need anaesthetic?
It's prob a v simple q but sick of rowing with dad over it and would just like to have an idea before I ring the vet.also I read here that neither me or dad should be around when it's being done as well is that right?

Grueller

L1985 wrote: »

Hi guys. So we got a new bull an 18month old charlois polled(decided to try charlois for a while). I didn't view him my father did but when he came home I saw he had no nose ring. I have a couple of issues with it obviously safety but also we live beside a river so have fishermen (unfortunately) who would access our fields and having a bull with a ring in his nose makes it obvious he's a bull. Dad was saying he's a bit old to get it done now but I think he's not mad on the hassle.( I know no comments on hassle vs safety I'm blue in the face already). My proper q is-he's safe enough for the moment as isn't being used much and is being out wintered so isn't around the farm really .
Firstly I presume it's a vets job how big a job is it? Can it wait till spring and better weather and would the bull need anaesthetic?
It's prob a v simple q but sick of rowing with dad over it and would just like to have an idea before I ring the vet.also I read here that neither me or dad should be around when it's being done as well is that right?

Nose punch from Magenta direct. Shot of anaesthetic and punch the hole and put the ring in. We generally breed our own bulls and ring them this way at anywhere around a year to 15 months.

Mad4simmental

You can get the rings with a point you just jam her in and job done in a few seconds. Make sure you have a good halter on him so he doesn't make sh!t of ya.

Grueller

Mad4simmental wrote: »

You can get the rings with a point you just jam her in and job done in a few seconds. Make sure you have a good halter on him so he doesn't make sh!t of ya.

Used to do it this way but the nose punch is so much handier on beast and more importantly on Grueller.

L1985

Ok so obviously much easier job then I thought it would be- I thought it would be like dehorning an animal at that age. Sure the punch is only 12€ so I think we can afford that (itl be my Xmas present to dad ). Ill be a lot happier once the charlois has it in - was surprised the breeder hadn't it done for any of his stock.
Thanks for answering my v basic q's guys

ALANC81

Use the punch it makes it so much easier. Make sure not to go to far in or you will punch through the cartilage. Feel inside the nose first then punch through the fleshy piece of the nose close to the cartilage. We use 2" copper rings.

Genghis Cant

Make sure his vaccination is up to date before you ring him. Tetanus.

whelan2

if the vet is out doing something else get them to do it. We do our own and would never let a bull leave the yard with out a ring in him

patsy_mccabe

Ya, it's not the kind of job to bring out the vet especially to do. The last time a vet did one for me he just used a scalpel. Vets don't seem to carry rings with them either, so you might have to get your own first.

Can't argue with €11.25 & pp;
http://www.magentadirect.ie/BULL-NOSE-PUNCH?search=punch

_Brian

My dad would always say you shouldn't do something like ringing a bull yourself. Reckoned they had a long memory and danger they would hold it
Against you.

We'd buy the ring and then get a handy neighbour to do it if the vet wasn't out for something already.

L1985

Thanks guys-we will be getting the vet out in the next while to do some TB testing so ill get him to do it then.deff don't want a bull with a potential grudge looking around a corner at me!!i will get the puncher from megenta seeing as it's only €12 if the vet doesn't had one. Thanks everyone.

Dunedin

L1985 wrote: »

I read here that neither me or dad should be around when it's being done as well is that right?

I had a 2 year old bull a few years ago - was quiet as a lamb. Got a lad to pair his foot one day, no hassle, had him done in a few minutes. All I did was stand and watch.

He turned on me that evening and I couldn't go in the same field ever again - he was on a hook soon after.

Just my tuppence