Freeze Branders


Operating Instruction for L&H Freeze Branders


Freeze branding is a technique in which a supercold branding iron, properly applied to the animals
hide, kills the color pigment producing cells. The result is that white or colorless hair instead of
colored hair, grow at the brand site. Freeze branding is effective on both cattle and horses along
with dogs. One advantage of freeze branding is that it produces a readable brand at any time of
the year.

Skin Anatomy

The skin of the animal contains millions of hairs which make
up the animals coat. Figure 1 is an enlarges, simplified
drawing of one hair shaft with its color (pigment) producing
follicle (CF) and its growth follicle (GF), both shown below
the skin.
Under normal circumstances hair grows as a clear shaft
(like a clear straw) from the GF. On colored animals,
pigment (black, brown, red, yellow etc.) is added from the
CF below the skin to the clear hairshaft, which gives the
hair its color.
When the intensely cold iron used in freeze branding is placed on the skin for the correct time and
at the correct pressure, the cold temperatures destroys the CF's at the brand site so they no
longer can produce pigment; however, the hair still continues to grow for the GF's. The result is
that hair at the brand site contains no pigment and appears white. This is the desired result-a
uniform, white brand. If the iron is pressed to the skin for a shorter period of time and/or with less
pressure that required, some hairs grow in colored and some hairs grow in white, so the brand has
a streaked appearance. If the iron is held on a longer period of time, the cold destroys the GF's as
well, so that no hair grows at all. On light colored animals the bald is desirable because the dark
skin with no hair shows up better that a white brand.

Recommended Materials and Equipment

·  Holding chute or some other positive device to keep the animal from moving
·  Container large enough so the irons can stand upright when the heads are submerged in
   the coolant
·  Coolant-Dry Ice and Alcohol or Liquid Nitrogen
·  Electric clipper (surgical blade preferred)
·  Grooming brush for cleaning the brand site
·  Gloves
·  Stopwatch
·  Squirt bottle
·  L&H Brass Freeze Branding Irons
·  99.9% alcohol (lower percentages contain water which can cause an ice layer to form
during branding and decrease the penetration of the cold through the skin)

Brand Selection

Freeze branders are cast of copper alloy (brass) which is generally preferred because of its
temperature holding capacity. Standard sizes are 2", 2 1/2", 3, 3 1/2" 4", 5" and 6" in height. They
have a variety of face sizes, not vented and a 18" steel handle for convenient application.
Corresponding numbers are stamped on top of the handle, enabling you to choose the proper iron
without removing the brander for the coolant container.

Branding Site Selection

Before branding, care should be taken in selection of the site to be branded. Each state or county
may have it's own regulations regarding the placement of the brand on the animal. Be sure to
check with your county clerk, county extension agent or state brand inspection agency about
branding and brand ownership regulations.
When branding on the shoulder, be sure the iron head is not partially on a thinner muscle mass
over the scapula with the remainder if the iron head on a heavier, deeper muscle mass not
covering bone. Unequal head pressure can produce a nonuniform brand. This situation can also
arise when branding on the butt, a portion of the branding iron head is partially on the rear of the
pelvic bone and the remainder is on the muscle below.

Dry Ice and Alcohol

Alcohol will be needed for this branding method. Among refrigerants used are methyl, ethyl, or
isopropyl alcohol. It is very important that any alcohol used be 99% in strength or it will turn to
slush at the extremely low temperature needed (approximately 160 to 180 degrees below zero).
Acetone is another very good refrigerant, because it is clear and the quantity of dry ice in the
container is always visible. Some of the suppliers of acetone are drug companies, welding supply
firms and animal health supplies. After extensive use, alcohol will loose strength because of its
tendency to absorb moisture. Alcohol should be changed after branding approximately 150 head
of livestock. Care should be taken when handling 99% alcohol it is extremely inflammable.

Liquid Nitrogen

Liquid nitrogen is a very good coolant and will cool to a temperature of approximately 240 to 250
degrees below zero. Liquid nitrogen is available through artificial insemination organizations and
welding supply firms. Care should be taken when handling liquid nitrogen because of its extremely
cold temperature.
Animal

Branding Times

Branding times vary according
to the type of metal in the irons
(all times show here are for
L&H brass freeze branding
irons) and the age (skin
thickness) and color of the
animal. Branders should
calibrate their freeze branding
irons by branding the recommended times and keeping accurate records of times and results.
Animal Coolant Application Time
Liquid Nitrogen 6 - 12 Seconds Colt
Dry Ice & Alcohol 16 - 24 Seconds
Liquid Nitrogen 8 - 12 Seconds Horse
Dry Ice & Alcohol 20 - 24 Seconds
Liquid Nitrogen 21 - 24 Seconds Calf
Dry Ice & Alcohol 40 - 50 Seconds
Liquid Nitrogen 25 - 30 Seconds Cow
Dry Ice & Alcohol 50 - 60 Seconds

Branding Procedure

Chill the irons in the desired coolant. Pour enough coolant into the container to adequately cover
the heads of the irons by 1". The surface of the coolant will appear to boil when the irons are
introduced into the coolant, when this boiling subsides the irons are as cold as the coolant will
allow and are ready to use.
Restrain the animal with your desired method, squeeze chute or calf table for cattle and twitch or
stock for horses, making sure the site to be branded is accessible. If the animal needs to be
sedated consult your veterinarian.
Clean the brand site of foreign material. Clip the brand site as square as possible, particularly at
the bottom, to aid in square placement of the brand. Thoroughly dry the brand site if the animal is
sweating or is wet form the rain or washing.
Squirt room temperature alcohol over the brand site thoroughly covering the entire shaved area.
This removes some skin oils and helps transfer cold >from the iron head to the skin.
Immediately after the alcohol soak, quickly remove the appropriate iron from the container, align it
properly and firmly press the iron squarely on the brand site. As the iron is pressed to the skin the
stopwatch should be started. Hold the iron firmly applying 35 to 45 pounds of steady pressure,
with a slight rocking motion. When the appropriate time has elapsed on the stopwatch, the iron
should be immediately removed from contact with the skin.
After branding, immediately place the iron back in the container of coolant. It should be re-cooled
completely before it is used again.
Time

Post Branding Results

Immediately after freeze branding
you will see a frozen indentation in
the animals skin. Within five
minutes the indentation will
disappear and swelling will begin.
The brand will be readable but the
swelling will cause the mark to
have two or three times the
thickness that the actual finished
brand will have. The brand will be swollen for 48 to 72 hours. After the swelling dissipates the
brand may not be easily seen. About 20 to 30 days the brand will begin to get flaky and scaly. By
the third or fourth week the scab will start to turn loose. Once the scab is gone, white, peach fuzz
type hair should appear in 30 days. Full hair growth will depend upon the time of year the brand is
applied.

Time Brand Site

15 Seconds Indented pattern show
5 to 10 Minutes Swelled pattern show
5 Days Swelled pattern disappears
1 Month Top layer of skin sheds
2 Months White hair starts growing
3 Months White hair growth complete

Precautions

Dry ice and the cold liquid can cause injury to humans, and precautions should be taken so these
do not come in contact with your skin. Acetone and alcohol are flammable and should be used in
open air or a well-ventilated building. Avoid smoking and keep this material away from open
flames or electric cattle prods. Vapor from this liquid is also dangerous to the tissues of your eyes
and nose.
Before ordering a freeze brand as proof of ownership or a registered brand, contact your state
brand inspection agency. The use of such irons is subject to laws relative to each individual state
or county.
Materials used and procedures are based on factual information, but not guaranteed.
Information gathered with the help of:
Paul Riggs, Southwest Livestock Services, Forney, TX
Doug Householder, Ph.D., Professor and Extension Horse Specialist, The Texas University System