Comparative Study of Stainless Steel and Brass Metal for Effectiveness of Freeze Branding in Sahiwal Cattle

The study was conducted on 40 Sahiwal cattle of age group from 0 to 12 months. Cattles were divided into two groups (20 each). Stainless steel and brass metals were cooled in liquid nitrogen until frosting appeared, then firmly applied to the skin. In 0 to 6 months age group, exposure times were 5, 7, 9, and 11 seconds allotted to each of 5 animals. In 6 to 12 months group, exposure times were 8, 11, 14 and 17 seconds allotted to each of 5 animals. Immediately after freeze branding, several changes occurred on the animals skin. In the 0-6 months age group, skin thawing had faster at 5 and 11 seconds in stainless steel and at 11 seconds in brass. Development of oedema observed quicker at 11 seconds for both metals. Skin dried significantly faster at 7-9 seconds of exposure times in both metals. Scab formation and its persistency required fewer days at 7 seconds in stainless steel and brass. White hairs appeared faster at 5 and 9 seconds with stainless steel, with 100% legibility at 7 seconds. In the age group of 6-12 months, skin thawed fastest at 17 seconds in stainless steel and at 8 seconds in brass. Development of oedema observed quicker at 8 seconds in both metals. Significantly lesser days required for dryness of skin at 8 seconds of exposure time in both the metals. Scab formation and its persistency required fewer days at 8 seconds in stainless steel and 11 to 8 seconds in brass. White hair appeared faster at 8-11 seconds, with 80-100% legibility at 11 to 8 seconds for both metals. In conclusion, for 0-6 months, 5-7 seconds was recommended for stainless steel, 6-12 months, both metals can be used at 8-11 seconds.