We only used a chute for small bactches of calves, or if we were branding mature cows. Everything else we did the old seperate and rope em method. A bit easier on the calves in my opinion, but it did take 2 people to hold the calves and I got kicked in the crotch more times than I can count. In reference to the OP, everyone I know uses hot brands for cows, and freeze brands for horses.
There is an old thread somewhere I started on the board on branding. If I get time I will search for it.
Never had anything to do with any AG industry, but I live here in Cowtown, and know quite a few people who have. From what I have heard, a running iron (a peice of metal with a handle and a right angle bend) is illegal in many places, as it maks it possible to change a brand quickly. In other words, its equipment for stealing cattle.
-PSM
For Dairy cattle, eartags are put in calves around here at the time of vaccination (3 to 6 mos. of age) along with a vaccination mark on the inside of the other ear. The vaccination mark, for lack of a better term, is basically made with a big pair of pliers with little needles spelling out letters and/or numbers proving that the calf has had its’ shots. The eartag may get pulled out but by looking at the inside of the ear you can easily see the vaccination proof mark. Vets then send in the eartag numbers along with the vacc. mark punched into the paper to the correct agency, not sure whether it’s fed or state. The mark used on our calves is maybe half inch by an inch and a half and is an “R” and some odd shaped manta ray shaped symbol and then a “2”.
Matter of fact I worked at both papers in that town; The La Junta Tribune/Democrat and the Ag Journal. The next time you are in the area I’ll come down and we’ll head over to the Hog’s Breath and have a beer or 12.