I thought since this is a goat blog that I should post something about goats. I wrote it from information I have heard/learned/read.
Disbudding
Disbudding involves destroying the horn bud on a very young animal before the horns actually start growing. The procedure in and of itself is fairly simple. The most recommended tool is the electric disbudding iron. Also, you can use a soldering iron that has a point about the size of a nickel that you have ground flat. Using caustic is also an option. You can disbud at three days of age up to two weeks, it mostly depends on the kid, and when the horn erupts. (You want to disbud before the horn actually erupts but, when they can be felt.)
Disbudding with a Electric or a Soldering iron
Instructions:
1. Get the iron to the point were it is hot enough to “brand” wood with little pressure. Some people at this point buzz the hair around the nubs to make it easier to burn.
2. Have your assistant hold the kid either standing up or sitting down. If you do not have an assistant you can use/make a kid holding box. (See below).
3. Feel for the nubs of the horns. Holding the kid firmly by the muzzle, press the hot iron on to the button and hold it there to a count of fifteen. (This amout of time will usually take care of burning the horn bud all the way)
4. Now, do the other horn after you let the iron warm up again.
Some information important to know is, bucks tend to have more stubborn horn buds then does. If you disbud and scurs appear, simply heat up the iron and do the process over again. Scurs, if left unchecked, can cause more problems then horns. Thin scurs will continuously break off which cause blood loss and pain. Thick scurs on the other hand can grow in to the goat's head and eyes.
Disbudding with Caustic
(Directions for the caustic are written for calves so ignore details for when to apply it.)
Caustic is available in many brands and types at mail-order houses and farm-supply stores.
Instructions:
1. Clip hair around the horn buttons. (About as big as a nickel with it's center as the button.)
2. Cut disks of adhesive tape to cover horn buttons.
3. Apply petroleum jelly around the outside of nickel shaped trim. It protects the skin from the caustic.
4. Apply caustic, and place tape over the caustic.
5. Isolate or hold the kid for a half hour. Or, if you are really lovey hold the kid for the half hour period.
Caustic is another way to disbud. It may seem easier, less traumatizing, and more humane but actually is less effective and could cause other problems such as:
· Blindness if it gets in the eye
· Pain if it comes in contact with other parts of the body
· Scurs
It is important to do it right and never have to deal with the horns again then to let it go longer than necessary and have a ton of problems later. Scurs, although they are ugly, cause few problems unless it starts to grow in to the head. Once is starts to do that it must be trimmed with a saw as it could cause major problems. If you have a goat with scurs watch them carefully to make sure that they don’t start growing in to the head. If they are growing straight out or up high and then down you should have nothing to worry about. Check out pictures of a Fias Co Farm buck that needed his scurs trimmed:
http://fiascofarm.com/galleries/Goat_Care_and_Information/Scur_Trimming/index.html
I hope this was informitave and helpful.
We have five baby kittens. Our neighbor brought a kitten over and asked if it was ours. We took it and brought in the momma cat. After momma cat saw one of her kittens in our house she thought "oh i guess that the other four should come here too, i'll go get them." The stats are three girls, two boys, four black and white ones, one black one. They are too cute. I love having kittens aroung but, I'm not too sad to see them go. A free kitten anyone? I mean after all they are free.
