DejaVu said:
I band my calves at birth or within the first 24 hours. No problems. No buyers complain. There has been the odd one I can't find both nuts on and will check him in the chute before going to grass. This is the type of bander I like:
http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=30e0795f-7b6a-11d5-a192-00b0d0204ae5&gas=banders
No shots given at that time. There's some thought that shots don't do anything because of antibodies from the colostrum. I lay the calf on his side and lift one leg but not too high as that pulls the testicles back into his body. Denny is right..Grass time you can shove a bunch of 'em into the chute and vaccinating goes fast.
We use about the same tool, my grandfather bought it maybe 60 yrs ago. It's a little heavier and opens a little wider than new ones.
We have used it since new, from day old to ones you can only get one nut at a time thru the cheerio. I double up on them. At birth, maybe one outa 50-100 you can only get one nut down, we leave them till branding.
Slowest, most awkward thing to do on a table is band, so neat to have it done. We went to table as no crew needed and we do it when it works for us.
I despise knife cut and have had virtually no trouble with banding.