Goat people -- 2 quick questions.

[Becky_H]

1-) At what age does a pygmy goat stop growing?

2-) Any advice about having a teenaged goat weathered?

Thanks!

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
I espcially want to know about #2!!! How do you do it? Or does a vet have to?

 

[Chirpy]

I don't have personal experience with Pygmies but most goats can and do continue growing (some) until 3 to 4 years old.

My understanding is that you can wether a goat with a band as long as you can get the band around the testicles.

I'm not sure about using a burdizzo as far as age goes.

If you cannot band them or use the burdizzo; I believe the goat has to be castrated by a vet (or someone with knowledge to the procedure). I'm sure someone with more experience will chime in if I'm wrong on these.

edited to add a thought

 

[Becky_H]

Thanks, Chirpy. I'll probably have a vet do the weathering/neutering either way. I'm not all that confident in my ability to do it myself, to be honest. Even with a band. That said: This guy's really sweet. Scared out of his wits because he's rarely been handled and lost his mom/herd, but we need to get him neutered, cleaned up and vetted well before we can get him in with some more. HOpefully we'll be able to make friends.

 

[cassie]

If you can borrow an elastrator, it's a cinch to use. With larger bucks, I pull the scrotum through the band and then work the testicles through one at a time. You can castrate a pretty good sized buck this way. When you release the band, just make sure you do not catch a teat in the band. Give a shot of tetanus antitoxin and that's it. He'll be a little uncomfortable for a few hours but that will pass.

 

[Chatychick]

I agree with Chirpy and Cassie...you can band up to when you cant get the testicles thru the band and then you still can if you can find a calf bander like I have for cattle. Bigger bands and will work also. I dont do the Burdizzo as sometimes it dont work and casteration during the summer months isnt a good idea either as the flies are horrible and its more painful I think and lots messier. Banding is easier and just make sure there arent any wrinkles and you have both testies before you let go and no teats in the band.

 

[SpringChickens]

I'll third that. Banding is so easy, I can do it

I would recommend using 2 bands on an older goat though, just in case one breaks.

 

[Becky_H]

ROFL. I'm merrily going to go off and ask to see if I can find someone to do it for me. If that fails, I'll see if I can find the elastrator thing.