NETTEX Marking Crayons
Product Details
Marking crayons make highly visible marks on ewes (or does) to let the shepherd quickly know which animals have been bred (and which haven’t). Record the ear tag number and date for an estimated lambing/kidding date.
- Cold/Soft: 25–65°F
- All-Weather: 40–85°F
- Hot/Firm: 85°F+
On our farms, we’ve switched to marking paste. It’s messier, but performs better in hot, humid weather.
We continue to offer NETTEX crayons for customers who’ve had success with them, and for those in cooler or drier climates where they perform better. —Premier
Specs
- Size: 4" length x (Front: 2" width, Back: 2 1/4" width) x 1" height
- Contains wax, colorants and inert excipients; no toxic components
- Metal cotter pin comes with each crayon
- Plastic cover protects crayons during transport
- Compatible with Premier’s Deluxe Marking Harness, Nylon Breeding Harness or Cross Your Heart Leather Breeding Harness. (Harnesses sold separately.)
Marking Crayons Compared
| NETTEX Cold/Soft |
NETTEX All-weather |
NETTEX Hot/Firm |
Premier EZ-Mark® Crayons |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp. Range: | 25–65°F | 40–85°F | 85°F+ | 40–80°F |
| Colors: | Red, Blue, Green, Orange, Yellow, Black | Red, Blue, Green, Orange, Yellow, Black | Red, Blue, Green, Orange, Yellow, Black | Red, Blue, Green, Orange, Yellow, Black |
| Price (ea): | $6.50 | $6.50 | $6.50 | $5.00 |
How To Use
- Remove cotter pin
- Remove plastic cover
- Place narrow end of crayon (plastic side down) in wide part of holder
- Gently slide up until it can go no further
- Slide cotter pin through holes on side of holder and crayon
- With needle nose pliers, bend end of cotter pin to lock in place
Common Questions
- Why so many harness crayon choices?
- The reviews have been mixed on Premier’s EZ-Mark® Crayons so we brought in harness crayons from a reputable UK manufacturer as an alternative. When marketed in Europe, NETTEX crayons are available only as “all-weather”. But for the US market where the weather can fluctuate between extremes, they’ve introduced COLD/SOFT and HOT/FIRM options.
For folks familiar with Premier’s EZ-Mark crayons, NETTEX all-weather crayons will offer similar performance in mild temperatures (40–80°F).
Precautions
- The shade of the marks on wool may not exactly match the crayon color.
- Store in a dry, cool place to prevent crayons from melting.
- Always check the ram every day to see if the crayon needs changing or the harness needs adjusting!
Listed below are recommended optional components or related items. Your particular situation may require alternative recommendations. Please call and talk to our consultants if there are any questions at 800-282-6631.
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Breeding Supplies
NETTEX Ram Breeding Harness
Item #501050 -Simple and durable nylon ram harness, designed for rams and bucks (billy goats). Adjustable fit for medium and large breeds.
$17.00 -
Marking Aids
Nylon Breeding Harness
Item #501000 -Ram crayon marking harness. Ideal for larger framed animals. Quick and easy to adjust.
$19.00 -
Breeding Supplies
Deluxe Marking Harness
Item #501020 -Sheep and goat marking harness for rams and bucks to track breeding by marking ewes and does during mating. Adjustable and durable for large, heavy breeds.
$32.00 -
Breeding Supplies
Cross Your Heart Breeding Harness
Item #502600 -Harness fits to rams and bucks to hold marking crayons, letting shepherds know when ewes or does have been bred to anticipate lambing kidding dates.
$27.00 -
Breeding Supplies
Sheep Management Wheel
Item #986000 -Provides a detailed schedule based on your preferred lambing date. Very helpful in planning out your shepherding year.
$14.00 -
Supplies
Lambing Barn Sheets, 10 per packet
Item #780045 -Keep records with these easy-to-use lambing barn sheets. An easy reference for all of your lambing details. Packet of 10.
$10.00 -
Books
Pasture Management Guide
Item #984000 -The best modern guide we've seen by far. Highly recommended for all Midwest shepherds who pasture sheep.
$18.00 -
Books
Hobby Farms Book - Sheep
Item #981021 -Wonderful illustrations with excellent content for the small hobby farm enthusiast.
$17.00 -
Books
Storey's Guide to Raising Meat Goats Book
Item #981006 -This essential handbook covers every aspect of acquiring, caring for, managing, and marketing meat goats.
$27.00
Write a Review
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On our farms, we’ve switched to marking paste. It’s messier, but performs better in hot, humid weather.
We continue to offer NETTEX crayons for customers who’ve had success with them, and for those in cooler or drier climates where they perform better.
Joseph M from Idaho
Put a fresh chalk on my buck. He walked about 10 steps, shook his body, and the chalk separated off the contact pad completely.
Ron C from Iowa
They break off.
Michael B from Georgia
I would give a zero if I could. Do not buy these! The last 2 seasons, I have tried to use them. Put a new crayon in the harness, ram tries to breed 1 ewe and the whole crayon falls out on the ground. The pen that is supposed to secure them just cuts through the crayon. Complete junk!
Hunter D from Arkansas
Garbage. The crayon itself will not stay in the housing, some falling off/out within 24 hours, haven't had one last more than 48 hours. Cotter pin and housing still intact, with no crayon.
Sherri B from Nevada
We've used these crayons for years with good results. The last couple of years have not been good, and this season is the worst of all! I change the crayons on day 15 between cycles, by the time day 17 arrives, there is virtually no crayon left to mark a ewe! These are hot-weather crayons, all different colors on multiple rams, having to change the crayons every couple of days to make sure even a small group of CIDRed ewes is getting marked properly. Whatever you changed, please change it back!
