Calving doesn't wait for you to drive to town. By the time you need a puller, you need it in the next 10 minutes. Here's the gear that should already be on your place before the first calf hits the ground.
The non-negotiable kit
Calf puller (mechanical)
A mechanical calf puller and OB chain set is the single most important piece of gear in a calving kit. Cheap chains break at the worst moment. Spend the $130–$180 for a quality set.
What you need:
- 1 puller frame with ratchet
- 2 OB chains (30 inches each)
- 2 OB handles
- Carry bag
Ear tags and applicator
Tag calves at birth while they're easy to handle. Have:
- 100+ blank or pre-printed two-piece ear tags
- 1 applicator (tested, working)
- 1 backup applicator (because they break)
- Permanent marker for hand-numbering if needed
Lubricant
OB lube for difficult presentations. Don't skimp. A pint container costs $8 and might save a calf.
Disposable OB sleeves
A box of 100 shoulder-length disposable sleeves. Use them. Reuse them only on the same cow.
Iodine and navel dip
7% iodine for navel dipping. Reduces joint infections significantly.
The probably-need kit
Calf warmer or warming box
For cold-weather calving in February or early March, a calf warmer can save lives. DIY options work — a clean stock trailer with a heat lamp and clean straw is fine for occasional use. Buy a commercial unit if you regularly calve in cold.
Esophageal feeder
For colostrum delivery to a calf that can't or won't suck. $50–$80 for a quality stainless tube and bag.
Frozen colostrum
Pre-position 1–2 quarts of frozen colostrum in your freezer before calving starts. Beef-specific colostrum is best, but quality dairy colostrum works in a pinch.
Health and intervention supplies
What we keep on the shelf (note: dose and protocol per your vet):
- Sub-Q injection needles (16 gauge, 1 inch) and 20cc syringes
- Calf scour boluses
- Vitamin/mineral injectable (per vet recommendation)
- Banamine or other approved anti-inflammatory (Rx)
- Antibiotic per vet protocol
Equipment we use
Working chute or alley
If you don't have one yet, you'll find out why you need one during calving. A simple alley with a head gate is enough for routine work — you don't need a hydraulic squeeze chute.
Strong flashlight or headlamp
You'll do most of your calving work at night. A 600+ lumen rechargeable headlamp with a red night-vision mode is the standard ranch tool.
Clean rags and a heater for the truck
You'll be wet and cold a lot during calving season. Keep clean rags and a way to warm up in the truck.
The pre-calving checklist (do this by January 15)
- Check OB chains and replace any with worn links
- Test the puller ratchet — it should crank smoothly
- Inventory ear tags and order more if under 50
- Refresh iodine — 7% loses potency over a year
- Confirm freezer has 2+ quarts of colostrum
- Test the calf warmer if you have one
- Check headlamp battery and have a spare battery
- Walk the calving pasture for hazards — wire, holes, debris
- Confirm your vet's after-hours number is in your phone
- Move first-calf heifers to closer-in pastures
What we'd buy
For a cow-calf operation getting set up for the first time, the starter calving kit:
- 1 × calf puller with chains and bag
- 1 × ear tag applicator
- 100 × blank ear tags
- 1 × box disposable OB sleeves (100 ct)
- 1 × OB lube
- 1 × 7% iodine
- 1 × rechargeable LED headlamp
Total: roughly $350–$450 for the complete starter kit. Replenish consumables every year.