Author Topic: Thoughts on nose ringing bulls (Read 8757 times)

Rosemary · « **on:** November 21, 2014, 08:08:28 pm »

Just got our new bull calf home. We didn't nose ring the last one. Thoughts on nose ringing?

Carse Goodlifers · « **Reply #1 on:** November 21, 2014, 08:20:58 pm »

Congratulations Rosemary & Dan.
I'm sure pic's will follow.

I don't have cattle but I have customers who have cattle and any bulls nearly all have nose rings.
Even when you think the bull is a calm beast they can still turn.
For safety reasons for yourselves I would ring it. It will allow you to control and move him more easily.

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #2 on:** November 21, 2014, 08:59:25 pm »

Not an expert but can share what I know.

All the bulls we've had have had rings in. We used one once to control his head (previous bull, also an Angus, and a gentleman), and I wouldn't ever do that again unless I had no choice. But even though I'd have no intention of using the ring, I think I'd still want any bull of ours to have one fitted.

We have purpose-built very robust cattle-handling facilities, which makes not using the ring to control the bull an option for us. If we didn't have that, then I guess we would have to be able to use the ring.

I've never been involved in ringing a bull, and don't know what, if any, discomfort and/or inconvenience the bull experiences on an ongoing basis in his everyday life. It's not like a pig, stopping him rootle - but does it interfere with grazing in any way? Clearly they can graze, but are they prevented from doing anything an unringed animal can do?

trish.farm · « **Reply #3 on:** November 22, 2014, 04:42:11 pm »

I spent a few months driving a vet who had lost his driving licence many years ago. He was a farm vet and one of our call outs was to ring a bull. Got to admit it was seriously unpleasant!!!!!

Rosemary · « **Reply #4 on:** November 22, 2014, 04:52:25 pm »

Quote from: trish.farm on November 22, 2014, 04:42:11 pm

I spent a few months driving a vet who had lost his driving licence many years ago. He was a farm vet and one of our call outs was to ring a bull. Got to admit it was seriously unpleasant!!!!!

Can I ask why? I thought it would be like getting your ears pierced but bigger. Although I suppose it's cartilidge rather than ear lobe (whatever that's made of).

fsmnutter · « **Reply #5 on:** November 22, 2014, 06:22:47 pm »

Ear lobe also cartilage.
I've only rung one adult bull, but it didn't seem to upset him too much, there was some bleeding, but the nose is known for this as anyone who's had a thump there will tell you!
Given it seemed to cause little distress to an adult, will not interfere with grazing or natural behaviours, but is something there to handle them if required (not wise to have no plan b with something a size that can kill you unintentionally!) then I would say ring him.

Me · « **Reply #6 on:** November 22, 2014, 08:12:39 pm »

I've put a few in, it is a bit of a job, two halters to cross tie the bull, waft in some lignocaine (or whatever!) crunch around with those totally ineffective hole punch things if you like and then just push the spike of the ring through the soft bit with brute force. If you wait for the local to work they just give you a hard stare (I hide before the crush is opened!).
I have heard stories of farmers pinned to the floor by bulls just being able to grab the ring and relieve the pressure on them enough to crawl to safety and wouldn't consider leaving a bull without one, also its a sign to other people that it is a bull.

farmvet · « **Reply #7 on:** November 22, 2014, 10:35:45 pm »

If your grazing is rough hill with whin bushes etc then i'd avoid ringing. Lots of bulls seem to catch & rip rings out on branches, sheds etc. In Scotland I'm pretty sure its not a legal requirement but I think it is in England. If you were showing etc then I would ring as you may be deemed not in full control if an accident did happen. For short term use on farm a heavy duty humbug is handy.
Most bulls need a 31/2" ring. But you cant seem to get them now! The 3" is usually to neat & 4" catches on everything. Anyone got a source for 31/2"?

Factotum · « **Reply #8 on:** November 23, 2014, 09:06:44 am »

heavy duty humbug

I've got to ask - what is a humbug - apart from references to Scrooge...

Sue

Rosemary · « **Reply #9 on:** November 23, 2014, 09:33:08 am »

Quote from: farmvet on November 22, 2014, 10:35:45 pm

If your grazing is rough hill with whin bushes etc then i'd avoid ringing. Lots of bulls seem to catch & rip rings out on branches, sheds etc. In Scotland I'm pretty sure its not a legal requirement but I think it is in England. If you were showing etc then I would ring as you may be deemed not in full control if an accident did happen. For short term use on farm a heavy duty humbug is handy.
Most bulls need a 31/2" ring. But you cant seem to get them now! The 3" is usually to neat & 4" catches on everything. Anyone got a source for 31/2"?

Our grazing is flat, sandy fields with the odd tree and hedge. 3" might be OK for our boy 'cos he's only wee and will be comparatively small all his life.

Many shows make ringing compulsory (or snigging, which is use of a bulldog, I think).

A bulldog is like a temporary ring, Sue, doesn't go through the nose but gets screwed tight a bit like those spiky things you get for weaning calves.

TBH, I'd rather have the one off trauma of the ring than trying to get a bulldog in when required

Me · « **Reply #10 on:** November 23, 2014, 10:08:45 am »

It really doesn't bother them much ime

trish.farm · « **Reply #11 on:** November 23, 2014, 11:18:43 am »

Quote from: Rosemary on November 22, 2014, 04:52:25 pm

Quote from: trish.farm on November 22, 2014, 04:42:11 pm
I spent a few months driving a vet who had lost his driving licence many years ago. He was a farm vet and one of our call outs was to ring a bull. Got to admit it was seriously unpleasant!!!!!

Can I ask why? I thought it would be like getting your ears pierced but bigger. Although I suppose it's cartilidge rather than ear lobe (whatever that's made of).

Unpleasant for me watching!!!

Almighty crunch as the hole punchy thing went through the cartilage! bull bellowed a bit but was fine after 2 minutes! Vet and a scarpered before he was let out of the crush!! Got to admit I find ear tagging sheep rather ikky!!! I think its the noise!!!

Factotum · « **Reply #12 on:** November 23, 2014, 01:29:41 pm »

those spiky things you get for weaning calves.

OK thanks - we've not put anything on Tavish - had him since he was 13 months, now 28.5 months - he's not been any trouble. Though he did get a bit excited about a new bale of hay in the feeder ring recently and wanted to eat it before Steve could get the net off. Not a problem, Tavish got out of the way when required. This doesn't mean Steve waved a big stick and shouted at him - we make a point of wandering around all our beasties and getting them to 'give way' - can't be having with cattle that challenge us, be they cows or bulls. They may be small compared to a commercial breed, but the adults weigh over 500kg and they have sharp pointy bits at the front.

We've had 3 bulls here - none of which was ringed at the time - Viking was very quiet and very efficient; Tavish squeaks a lot, also very efficient. Both of those came here as their first active duty at about 13 months. Petroni was a bit older, and he was a bit moody - it seems he's got moodier as he's got older according to tales we've heard about his adventures in NI.

I guess it depends on the bull - I think I'd leave your youngster be for a while and watch how he behaves around you.

He looks very good, like his nice white flash between his horns. When does he get to play with the ladies?

Sue