The nail clipper kit for sheep and goats is now available on the F3020 professional electric pruning shears. Loyal users have been waiting for this new version, until now only available on the F3010.
Cédric Leygonie, who owns a trimming business, has been testing it exclusively for several weeks. He also uses a turning cage. We went to meet him and asked him a few questions...
Cédric, you use a machine that is little known in France to immobilise your cattle. Can you tell us how it works?
I had a roll cage imported straight from Australia. Over there, the machine is used for cructhing (shearing the ewe's belly and hindquarters). In practical terms, I set up a corridor with barriers (see photos) and
the sheep move forward little by little until they reach the turning cage. At this point, the animal is blocked by a pneumatic system which then turns it with its legs in the air. The animal is held securely, and I don't have to do as much physical work because I don't have to hold it still. So I can work standing up, with my hands free.
Then, how do you carry out the actual trimming?
Once the animal is positioned with its legs up, I can cut its hooves. Unless the foot is faulty, three scissor strokes should be enough to trim the hoof. It's quick, precise and above all... made easier with electric pruning shears! So I'm less tired, which means fewer mistakes and less risk of injury to the animal. I used to use the F3010 with the appropriate nail-cutting kit, but I've recently started using the F3020.
On a day-to-day basis, has the F3020 electric pruning shears given you "something extra"?
Using the nail clipper on the F3020, compared with the F3010, definitely improves performance! On average, I trim 5 more cattle per hour. Over a working day, that's a saving of almost 30 minutes. I'd say that this model is faster, lighter and easier to handle. It's a real pleasure to work with.
Cédric Leygonie is a self-employed professional hoof trimmer specialising in sheep and goat trimming. He is based in south-west France (like INFACO! 😊) but travels all over the country. Visit his Facebook page Leygonie C. Parage Onglons Ovins-Caprins to find out more and to follow his work!
* The testimonial concerns the trimming of sheep and ewes. The goat trimming is different, with another cage that positions the animals in a sitting position.