Recues goat with an attitude and Horns, Please help

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Bands need to be down tight against soft tissue to work properly. Put on only the horns themselves will result in a indent only before the band's break off. There's a meaty core inside the horns similar to a quick in a nail, so you can't just remove part of the horn, you need to remove all of it.

If you are worried about them hooking them than perhaps it's better to find a vet to saw them off under sedation. Either way it can be a bit nasty on the goat.

Fly season is almost here so that's something to think about as well. It's getting too late in the season for dehorning here.

 

[Lexie Lou]

All or Nothing good to know. I had not thought about flies, they really will not make them self's known for a month or 2 here we are still frosting at night. So ready for it to warm up, but the slow melt this winter and all the rain we have been getting will be great for our field.

Update on his "heard" he keeps jumping the fence in to the Lambs pen, but is doing fine with them. He seems happy to have a heard, he will try to stop my kids from "hurting" the lambs, so we have to take him out of the pen at feeding times but other wise he is warming up to our little farm. Oh and my son said he needed a name so "the goat" is now named Nugget.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Do you plan to neuter him as well? We have banded mature males. As long as you can get the band on it works fine. Though I probably might not do horn and castration at the same time. Doesn't hurt either to give him a tetanus shot before either procedure, though we don't.

 

[Lexie Lou]

We are not planning on neutering him at this point, he is registered so I am hoping we can move him to a home that has a small breed heard, once his horns are dealt with. Have a couple of local homesteaders who are interested in him once his horns are taken care of. Yes talked to a vet (about 5 hours away from us) that suggested a few over the counter meds before we dehorn him and recommended going for the banding method. My husband is comfortable with the banding, I am just worried about him but its better then going to the butcher at least.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Some are bothered by it more than others. He should be okay.

 

[Lexie Lou]

I think we found Nugget a home that is ok with his horns! will keep you updated