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How to Make Homemade Nose Plates for Weaning Calves

Weaning a calf starts her on the path of fending for herself. A homemade weaning plate allows the calf to approach her mother, minimizing emotional stress while still inhibiting her ability to suckle, thus forcing her to begin feeding on her own. The nose plate must be inserted into the calf̵7;s nostrils and should be done when you are confident that it̵7;s time to wean the calf from her mother.

Things You'll Need

C-clamp
Ruler
Foam-rubber sheet, 10-by-10-iby-4-inches
Utility knife
Bonding glue
Plastic spikes, 4 inches long

Instructions

- 1
  Place the C-clamp on a table. Measure the length and width of each jaw of the C-clamp. Place the foam rubber sheet on the table. Cut a pad out of the sheet that has the measurements that were taken with a utility knife. Cut a second pad to these same measurements.
- 2
  Apply bonding glue on one side of each pad. Place a pad against each of the jaws of the C-clamp. Hold each pad against the clamp for 2 minutes so that the glue can take hold. Let the glue set overnight.
- 3
  Rotate the clamp so that the jaws are facing left and the locking rod that closes the clamp is pointing toward you. Run a line of bonding glue along the edge of the clamp opposite the jaws.
- 4
  Place an end of a plastic spike on the glued side of the clamp so that the other end is pointing right. Repeat this with other plastic spikes along the glued side of the clamp. Let the glue set overnight.
- 5
  Hold the weaning plate you have made with the locking rod pointing down and the side that has the clamps facing you. Rotate the rod counterclockwise to open the jaws of your weaning plate. The jaws can now be inserted into the nostrils of the calf and tightened with the rod to stay in place.

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