Plastic Splints Get Weak Newborns On Thier Feet

Plastic Splints Get Weak Newborns On Thier Feet DAIRY EQUIPMENT & IDEAS Dairy Equipment & Ideas 19-4-33 "They put an even amount of pressure on the legs of newborn calves without creating any pressure sores either," says Ulf Herde about the leg splints he makes out of plastic pipe. The 2 in. dia. PVC pipe braces he uses work on either front or rear legs, says Herde who first tried the splints two years ago. Since then, he's used them on four calves. For front legs, Herde uses a piece of pipe about 6 in. long and split down the middle lengthwise. He wraps the leg with a piece of old bluejean, careful not to use the seams. He then slips the pipe over the cloth and wraps it with electrical tape. For rear legs, Herde uses uses the same procedure with a piece of pipe that's about 9 in. long because tendons are longer on the rear than the front. "I usually leave them on for three days on the front legs - less if the calf is getting around well," Herde says. "On rear legs it takes a little longer because of the longer tendons. The idea should also work on broken legs." . Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Ulf Herde, Box 222, Ardmore, Alberta, Canada TOA OBO (ph 403 826-1959).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.