Replacing a Switch?

[DCC show cattle]

We have a calf that lost his switch to either frostbite or is tail gettin stepped on. Rumor has it you can weave a switch into his remaining hairs and make a switch on the calf? Is there any truth to this has anyone ever done this? Thanks in advance

 

[Bone2011]

We had a heifer get tail mites right before our state fair and we took some baling twine unwove it and glued it on. I was suprised how well it worked.

 

[Freddy]

Do they use the switch from butcher beef for false one any more ....

 

[cowboy_nyk]

So we just picked upa  couple of switches form the butcher...now I am trying to figure out how to attach them.  Any tips?

 

[Pleasant Grove Farms]

we have used tail adhesive; attach it a small amount at a time, practice at home first.

 

[cowboy_nyk]

Here's the heifer calf that needs it.  Tail got stepped on this summer.  She's going to Agribition in Regina and her and her mother qualified for the RBC Supreme so I kinda need her to look her best.  I hope there is enough hair to attach it to.

 

[OH Breeder]

Here's the heifer calf that needs it.  Tail got stepped on this summer.  She's going to Agribition in Regina and her and her mother qualified for the RBC Supreme so I kinda need her to look her best.  I hope there is enough hair to attach it to.

If you go to a hair stylist that does extensions they have a method of attaching hair with a material that won't wash out. I am sure they would be surprised when you tell them you want extensions fixed in your cows tail, but I wouldn't see why it wouldn't work. One of my coworkers changes her hair like I do pants. She came to work one day with long lovely locks colored to match her current hair. I have often thought of this for calves that maybe have weak switch. You can get hair colors matched. Just a thought.

 

[DLD]

Do the switches you got have any hide left on them?  In the old days we used to leave a strip of hide, 3" or so long, and attach that to the tail with zip ties.  Back then we tied the tails up higher, though - this meant the balled up switch would cover the part where it was attached.  Not sure how well this would work now that everyone leaves them hanging lower - you'd just have to experiment with it to see how it looks best.

I'd go with the baler twine, myself.  Cut about a 3 1/2' - 4' piece of hemp twine, unravel it as much as you can, then shape with adhesive and paint it.  When you're ready to use it, stick a couple of zip ties through it, use those to attach it to the tail - touch it up with adhesive and paint and you're good to go.  It's really easy, fast (you can have it ready to put on before you start fitting), and looks good.

 

[cowboy_nyk]

Unfortunately we are not allowed paint at our Angus shows so twine isn't an option.  We are busy washing the tails so they look as good as possible (for a dead tail).  To be honest, it's a little gross!

I like the idea of leaving a tab of skin to use.  It might be a bit gruesome the first time, but that should work well.  I'll give it a practice run this weekend.  Thanks so much for all the tips!

 

[cowman 52]

You can order one from nasco, just looked, they still have them.

 

[simba]

I just wanted to bump up this post and see if anyone had figured out how to attach the dead tail switches. I will be showing a heifer who froze her tail switch and tonight I'm going to pick up a few dead tail switches to practice with.

Cowboy_nyk  did leaving the skin tab work? I've heard that the skin tab and zip tie idea is the easiest way to attach it. Also did you keep your tails in the freezer? A neighbour told me that they were pretty sure you had to keep them frozen.  Just thinking about this makes me want to gag. The things we do for our cattle!!!

 

[LLBUX]

Adding hair, twine, or other material to legs, tailhead, poll
and I assume tail switch would be illegal in my
home state of Illinois.

 

[simba]

LLBUX: Thanks but I don't live in Illinois. I have checked the rules of the shows I will be attending (Lloydminster Stockade Roundup in Alberta/Saskatchewan and Canadian Western Agribition in Saskatchewan) and I wouldn't be breaking any rules by adding a tail switch.

 

[cowboy_nyk]

Larissa, I did leave a tab of skin on each side of the tail.  I used a cable tie and then used some tail adhesive to glue the longer hairs that were left on my calf's stump to the switch.  It worked pretty well.  Definitely keep the tail frozen when you can.  I had mine in the tack box for a week at agribition and it was a bit smelly by the end of the week lol.  Also make sure you condition it really well.  Dead hair doesn't stay shiny on its own!

 

[simba]

Thanks for the info cowboy_nyk! I also have a friend who is a hairdresser and I'm going to see if I can convince her to put extensions in instead... I can't wait to see the look on her face when I request that but she's a pretty good sport so it's worth a shot.