Video: how to quickly get into the swing of using Numnuts
As with any new device, you may find that when you start using Numnuts in lamb marking, it takes a little practice before it becomes perfect. In our new video, we’ve gathered some tips from experienced users to help you get the hang of it quicker.
Let’s get started with an issue we often hear about.
Do you see NumOcaine on the fleece after injecting?
There are three possible reasons for this:
1: The needle isn’t the right length
If the needle is too long, the local anaesthetic can be deposited into the wrong spot. If it’s too short, the local anaesthetic can be left on the skin. You can adjust the needle length by adjusting the screw under the 2-stage injector with a 2.5mm Allen key. See video at 0:13.
2. The needle is hitting the tail bone
When this happens, the local anaesthetic can be pushed back out around the needle’s tip. To prevent this, adjust the angle you’re holding the device at and try again. You’ll find that it feels easier and you won’t see droplets on the fleece. See video at 0:25, or view more info here.
3.The needle is going into a wrinkle
This can easily happen around the testicles, where the needle enters a wrinkle without the tip being under the skin.
Using a ‘scoop’ method to increase skin tension will even out the wrinkles. See video at 01:16 or view more info here.
Do you sometimes feel as if you need 3 hands?
No matter how well organised we are, there’s always something that needs to be moved, fixed or corrected when we’re in the middle of a task. It always happens during lamb marking! You can prepare for this by making a holder for your Numnuts device and rings.
See video at 01:25 for a great example of one you can buy, or see our post on how to make your own.
Finally, here's some sound advice from seasoned Numnuts users
- “Make sure the ring is fully on the prongs before opening.”
- “Leave some local anaesthetic in the fluid junction (the clear part) when changing over bottles. This will prevent wastage when priming it for the next bottle.”
- “Persist with it. This device is different to previous tools used to administer rings but after a while you will get the hang of it.”
