A Note on Banding Horns, Goat Owners Please Read

[cassie]

I do not recommend using a band, but if you do, use a sharp instrument and make a cut in the flesh below the actual horn and cut all the way around it. You want the band as close to the head as possible. When you put the band on it should be in this slit. That way it won't ride up and you will have a better chance of having a clean dehorning job. It goes without saying that a tetanus shot is an absolute must.

I have dehorned many many mature goats. We used obstetrical wire and sawed them off and then used an electric dehorner to cauterize any bleeding. We filled the open sinuses with an antibiotic powder and applied a sanitary napkin secured around the head with vet wrap or duct tape. After a day or two we removed the bandage. If the sinus was still open we refilled it with antibiotic powder and reapplied the bandage. The sinuses will seal over in a very few days. We always gave a tetanus antitoxin shot. We had little, if any, problems with infection.

Whether or not to dehorn your goats is a matter of personal preference but horns were simply not an option in my dairy for any number of reasons. The worst thing that happened with horned heads is that they would get their heads caught in the fence, and if they were not found promptly they would die in the summer heat. I did leave the horns on my Boers though. Their horns lie closer to the head than those of dairy goats and don't cause as much trouble.

 

[Starr101]

Agreed. I once talked to my vet about dehorning my adult saanan wether who had big scurs from not being properly burned (from an experienced breeder even). He said it was too dangerous because it opens up the sinus cavities. Too much risk of infection and painful. I just left them alone. Had to watch him though, he would put his head through the stock wire fence and couldn't get it back out. If you want dehorned goats get one already dehorned or have them burned while very young by someone who knows how to do it properly.

Getting them burned off is very painful! I would try banding before I would do that.

 

[cassie]

Getting them burned off is very painful! I would try banding before I would do that.

Burning is far less painful than banding. If you do band be sure to give the goat a tetanus shot.