Callum and Duncan Hume, with their capable assistant Scott, took to fitting LambClips with apparent ease. Click the photo to see the YouTube video showing them marking lambs and, most importantly, the result. Without question they all noticed a marked difference in post marking behaviour, with absolutely no signs of discomfort or distress – amazing at that age when compared to the commonly used traditional method.
Hill farmers have no sensible alternative to ringing for castration, and only a couple of choices for tailing. LambClips suit both jobs, and, if slightly slower and more expensive, definitely has lamb-welfare and possible economic benefits.
For reference, clamping with a Burdizzo (Nipper) is similar but different. With that traditional tool, sometimes called a side-crusher, each testicle is independently disabled and the lamb effectively castrated (meaning it can’t have babies !) instantly. Nerves are also blocked in the process and from that moment there is no pain. The scrotum remains in tact because blood supply is maintained.
LambClips we apply right across the scrotum and so the whole operation is completed in one action. The reason we can do this is because we leave LambClip on the animal to seal any possible wound that might develop after crushing. LambClip ensures that the scrotum falls off cleanly too, and it takes about the same time as the traditional system – 21 days or thereabouts. The removal of the scrotum is confirmation to the farmer that the ram lamb has been properly neutered. Because using a Burdizzo is a skilled operation, requiring some anatomical knowledge, it can fail to achieve the result required.
We describe our LambClips as ‘fit’ for purpose, simply because the pain relief they deliver is Forever, Instant and Total; consider that !