Goat question

[hollyk]

We just disbudded our first twins 2 weeks ago. Yes, it was disturbing at first, but then you see the babies are fine. We do show boers- I am sorry some of you have had bad experiences, but it was the individual goats, not the breed. Mine are very easy to get along with. Meat shows require no horns, boer breed shows require horns. So it really depends on a persons particular needs. I must say, the twins who were disbudded with the iron at 11 days had a much better time than the wethers we have had to have done surgically. Unless I know the kid will be used as a buck for breeding, I disbud. If the buck won't be for breeding he will be for meat show or the meat locker- no horns needed or desired.

I have a Saanen with horns. She will soon be banded. She is a very loving goat who loves to rub her head on us. Unfortunately, that head has very long straight horns. Safety has to come first with me and my children.

To speak to the question asked- Tennis balls would take care of the tips, so would a file. The horns will still be there to be used as a ram. If the horses are in danger, they need to be moved. Goats but for play, protection, and out of curiosity.

 

[abluechipstock]

i try to disbud my kids with 5 days of birth, my friends do it for me, thank God, we burn for two 5 second intervals on each bud and then spray with furazone, the babies are running around in a few minutes, it's me who needs a xanax after the ordeal, the next buck i buy is going to be polled then most of the babies won't have to be done, my other friend has the vet do it and she sedates them, last year she had one seizure and almost die from the anethstesia(sp) but i've seen people do the same thing