Best time to TB test

Would like to know some experiences other deer farmers have had when TB testing their deer in the fall versus spring like in march?Which they preferred.And if testing pregnant does in later march posed any problems for them when running thru a chute. I presently am testing in sept, but am thinking of switching to testing in March.

We do our TB testing in January. I wouldn't want to do it when there was any chance of damaging velvet antlers. We also don't have to worry about the does that time of year.

That's interesting haven't heard of testing in jan. so the bucks don't fight when corralled and accidently gore one another when in close corners when corralled.thanks wild rivers for your input.

Well you have to be careful how you handle them. We bring up a pen at a time into a holding pen, so those bucks are used to being together and stay together. Then we run them one at a time through the chute, our system has guillotine doors we can drop behind each deer so only one at a time. Sometimes we saw antlers at that point and when they go out they are in a different pen from the antlered bucks. When all are done they are returned to their home pen. It is past breeding season so the worst of the fighting is done.

Ok,thanks for the input. Got another question while you are in the mood.If it wasn't for being your busy time in the fall would you still Tb test in Jan? Or would you test like when they just start to shed?since you are working with hard antler anyhow.I'm just looking for some pros and cons of each season from people like you with more experience than me. Which isn't much. I've run deer twice now and have heard some like testing better in march but would rather hear from experienced people like yourself that have done it more,thanks

We always test in March after most all bucks have shed their antlers . If there's a few still wearing them we cut them off on their first time through the chute. I like March it's warm enough in the building to keep the test tubes fairly warm yet it's cold enough to keep the deer from over heating in the building while they wait their turn . It's also early enough that the pregnant doe's do well with it . Now we should only be running them in once for both TB and Brucellosis so that should be much better than the two times needed before . I had a friend that tested early with full antlered bucks and he did that a few years until one year they went nuts and killed each other ! He lost 7 bucks in a few short minutes so the running them with antlers on is a no no here , but not everything works on every farm . Do what you beleive will work best for you but remember the day you start becomes your anniversary date for your future testings . Just my opinion .

Thanks wooden its a different perspective that's good to know,

We just just did ours on first we were able to do the blood test it went real well.

Thanks to Dave of Viking Whitetails for driving up the 5 hrs to help with our testing

lilcheeps said:

We just just did ours on first we were able to do the blood test it went real well.

Thanks to Dave of Viking Whitetails for driving up the 5 hrs to help with our testing

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Just curious Bryan, how long do the results take with the new blood test, and whats the per animal cost ?

lilcheeps said:

We just just did ours on first we were able to do the blood test it went real well.

Thanks to Dave of Viking Whitetails for driving up the 5 hrs to help with our testing

Click to expand...

Not a problem Bryan...happy to help a friend out.

Good for you Bryan how many deer did you run thru your chute?