Fire vs. Freeze Branding

Branding livestock has been around since Ancient Egyptian times. Originally started to help identify ownership on free roaming cattle, from Roman’s to Texan’s it has grown to be more than just to identify ownership. Over time there have come to be many different methods of branding: Fire-branding, tattooing, freeze marks, and ear tags are just a few. Which method you use partially depends on location requirements and the other part is personal preference.

I want to discuss the more popular methods at least here in Texas... Fire brands, Electric Brands, and Freeze Marks.

Fire Brands

This is when you use your branding iron over an open flame and hot coals. You heat the branding iron just hot enough to singe the hair of the cow and only let the brand have contact with the skin for 3-5 seconds. Just long enough for the mark to be permanent but not long enough to wound the livestock. Fire branding will result in raised skin where the brand was burned and prevent hair growth in the area.

Electric Brands

These are similar to Fire Brands but the heat is regulated and you don’t have to maintain a fire/coals for this method. Electric brands are the most common currently among cattle and horse branding due to the ease and simplicity. Same as fire brands, electric brands will result in raised skin and prevented hair growth on the brand mark.

* they are also common to use on wood and leather not just on livestock*

Freeze Brands

The last method of branding is when you cool your branding iron instead of placing it over heat. Freeze branding is slightly different than the two previously mentioned methods in the fact that it is most commonly used on horses since they react less to the cold than heat. This method is significantly more complicated than fire or electric branding and it also requires specialized equipment. Freeze brands take longer to apply than fire brands at 8-15 seconds compared to 3-5 seconds for fire. The end result is also different. When you have a freeze mark it actually kills the cells that produce color in an animals skin and hair so it shows up as white. Darker colored animals will take less time to brand than lighter colored animals using this method but the results will be just as permanent.

All in all everyone chooses a different method based on preference and based upon requirements in your area. So be sure to check with your local County or State guidelines to see what you need to do to register your brand and best methods for branding!

If you need help coming up with a brand or turning your idea into a workable brand I would love to help you out! Just email me at southernworksandco@gmail.com and we can get started today!

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