How Do You Use A Branding Iron?
While seemingly inhumane, the process of branding animals, when done properly, actually helps to identify and protect the animal from being stolen. A well-done visible brand is hard to alter; as livestock owners put it, “a brand’s something that won’t come off in the wash.” The instructions below are intended for hot-iron brands, but can be applied to freeze brands as well. Step 1 Check with the regulations for your state as to what kind of brand (hot-iron or freeze brand) and where on the animal’s body the brand should be applied. Step 2 Inspect the branding iron to see how thick it is. It should leave a brand at least three-eighths of an inch thick; a brand too thin will either cut too deeply into the animal’s flesh or make a thin scar that will require clipping the animal’s hair to see it. Step 3 Dry the animal thoroughly if it is wet. Branding a wet animal will scald it, leaving a blister or a blotch in place of a clean brand. Step 4 Heat the brand on a wood fire until it is the co
While seemingly inhumane, the process of branding animals, when done properly, actually helps to identify and protect the animal from being stolen. A well-done visible brand is hard to alter; as livestock owners put it, “a brand’s something that won’t come off in the wash.” The instructions below are intended for hot-iron brands, but can be applied to freeze brands as well. Check with the regulations for your state as to what kind of brand (hot-iron or freeze brand) and where on the animal’s body the brand should be applied. Inspect the branding iron to see how thick it is. It should leave a brand at least three-eighths of an inch thick; a brand too thin will either cut too deeply into the animal’s flesh or make a thin scar that will require clipping the animal’s hair to see it. Dry the animal thoroughly if it is wet. Branding a wet animal will scald it, leaving a blister or a blotch in place of a clean brand. Heat the brand on a wood fire until it is the color of ashes. Do not get the
