With the cold snap that went through the last few days I have a few calves that are a little down eared. My daughters show heifer did not eat her morning grain so after school we went out and took her temp. 103.5 then took the other show heifers in the pen and she was showing no signs of sickness and hers was 105. Then went and got a replacement heifer in that was down eared and snotty nosed and I could tell she was not feeling well, her temp was 105 also. I treated the replacement heifer but let the show heifer go and they are fine today. Ate all the grain and have seen them chewing there cud threw out the day. My question is are the digital thermometers worth a hoot when using them on calves? I could not find the cattle one so went and got the kids out of the house.
thermometers
- Thread starter frostback
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inthebarnagain
Well-known member
The best way to get a temp is to use a heavy glass thermometer with a ring top on it. Tie a string on the ring about 12-16 inches long and tie it to a set of hemostats or a roach clip of some kind. Put the thermometer all the way in and clip the forceps to the tail hair. That way you don't have to fight the cow holding the thermometer and you won't lose it, in or out!
simtal
Well-known member
I've used those digital deals with a 4 inch probe and they work ok, seem to have trouble keeping a charge
Shady Lane
Well-known member
If you don't feel it's working well enough for the cattle you can always put it back in the medicine cabinet for the kids to use. (lol)
But seriously, I have used that type of thermometer at home and in the feedlot with good luck and they seem to be very accurate.
To me the biggest thing with temps is the relative temp of one animal compared to the rest of the herd, or one animals temp now compared to a previous temp or future temp.
I have found that the temps of even healthy cattle can vary quite a bit, especially under stress.
Perhaps you have taken the temp of a calf that was "off" in your show string somewhere and been a pretty freaked out, but also found that all the cattle in your string had an elevated temp due to stress and being under abnormal conditions?
But seriously, I have used that type of thermometer at home and in the feedlot with good luck and they seem to be very accurate.
To me the biggest thing with temps is the relative temp of one animal compared to the rest of the herd, or one animals temp now compared to a previous temp or future temp.
I have found that the temps of even healthy cattle can vary quite a bit, especially under stress.
Perhaps you have taken the temp of a calf that was "off" in your show string somewhere and been a pretty freaked out, but also found that all the cattle in your string had an elevated temp due to stress and being under abnormal conditions?
That is why I took a few different temps that day. Just found it odd that a for sure sick calf was the same temp as one I would never even had taken but for the ease of her being a show calf that I could do in the pen by just scratching the tail.
