Castrating a buckling.

[FarmGirl01]

My vet does it for 15.00. It seems to be the best for me. They are usually around 6 weeks old. With a pen shot it goes up to about 20.00. I pick them up later that day. (it's a cut in the lower part of the scrotum, and the testicles are pulled out) I forgot to add what method he uses.

 

[ronshoney]

I am having the same problem. I bought 2 bucks so the one I wanted wouldn't be lonely and someone was supposed to help me band one of them and never did. I was afraid to do it myself and now he is 5 mos. and I don't know if I should leave him as he is with 2 other bucks in their own pen and they all get along fine. I don't want to put him under either.

 

[Smoky73]

ronshoney, if they get along fine, I wouldnt worry about it. One of ours we were supposed to do a long time ago and by the time my hubby got around to do it, he was too big to get the bander around. Now, I cannot get rid of him as he is a buck, but a very sweet boy. We have a second billy and they live together in the one pen just fine together with no issues. I cannot put them in with girls together though or they do fight.

 

[Nupine]

I band. It was awful for a few hous for them, and then they were fine. It is not as bad as your vet made it sound. Always use Tetnus Antitoxin.

 

[turnerstar31]

I band it is the best way and cheapest route for me. I have all the equipment and that is also how I do my lambs tails. It really is not all that bad once you do it the first few times. I wait until mine are over 4 weeks than do it. They walk a little funny for a while but other than that they are back to themselves in no time

 

[Wolf-Kim]

I was told that the area goes numb after a few minutes of being banded. That's why they'll walk funny or just lay down for a while, but after they seemingly go numb they are back up and running and playing king-of-the-stump. I think banding is the way to go for you. Yes it sounds horrible but after you have seen it done yourself, it ain't that bad. I promise! I thought it would be aweful, but after I banded my first dozen bucks, I was very surprised how much it didn't phase them.

I think I would rather them be uncomfortable until the area goes numb, than to risk the dangers of anesthesia. You can always give them a little something for the discomfort of banding.

-Kim