Nettex Marking Crayons
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.
3 temperature options: All-weather, Cold/Soft, and Hot/Firm. (See table below for temperature recommendations.)
Crayons are compatible with Premier’s Deluxe Marking Harness, Nylon Breeding Harness or Cross Your Heart Leather Breeding Harness. (Harnesses sold separately.)
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): | $6.25 | $6.25 | $6.25 | $4.70 |
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
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
Nylon Breeding Harness
Item #501000 -Ram crayon marking harness. Ideal for larger framed animals. Quick and easy to adjust.
$18.50 -
Breeding Supplies
Deluxe Marking Harness
Item #501020 -Many flocks use marking harnesses on their breeding rams to identify when ewes are bred.
$28.00 -
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.
$26.00 -
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 -
Lambing and Kidding Aids
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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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).
Amanda C from New Mexico
I’m writing this review in the middle of summer for the crayon for hot weather. I guess you can’t get one for the kind of heat we have here in NM. They have just melted and only last through one or two breedings.
Keith H from Texas
First time for us to try the harness/crayon system. Just a few hours after they were applied, we had results with a few of the ewes being marked.
Michael S from Michigan
I have used Nettex Marking Crayons in past years without any trouble until this year. On a normal year, I only go through two crayons and that is only because I switch colors to make sure my ewe are breed. This year I have gone through six and breeding season is not even over. The crayons are breaking in half and falling off the harness. I just switched colors this evening and the brand new crayon broke in half in less than three hours. I am quite unhappy and discouraged with this product.
Rebecca M from California
Don’t bother with the hot weather crayons. They’re labeled for 85°F+ degree weather, but pretty much melt in 90–100°F degree weather and are gone within 24 hours from normal wear…the buck laying down, standing up, walking around not even marking does yet.
Bailey L from Nebraska
I’d give this hot weather crayon ZERO stars if I could. It was 90° this week, and after two days the crayon was so melted that it was dripping onto the ground. I’ll never buy another marking crayon regardless of season.