I feel awful, but it is done

It does take a little practice to get to where you consistantly get a good burn and no scurs, and to get to the point where you can do it without too many qualms. I am finally to that point, I think. Just did a couple kids for a friend from work who is just getting into goats. She did okay with it, but one of her sons turned white and ran! I think it was easier to do her goat kids than to do my own - I wasn't emotionally attached to hers like I am with mine.

Oh, and I have found that the kids scream just as loudly when I shave their heads as they do when I burn the horn buds. I used to just hold the kids or use a disbudding box, but I've found that what works best for me (to keep the kids from squirming) is to lay them down on their side with a helper holding them down and holding their neck still. I hold the muzzle down with one hand and use the disbudding iron with the other. Most of the kids will give a squawk and wiggle, then hold still and get very quiet while I finish up that side. Then they get a cuddle while the iron reheats for a couple seconds and the process is repeated on the other side. Once in a while I get one that screams through the whole thing, but most of them are pretty quiet lying on their side.

Maybe I should hire out!

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Ha ha, my husband asked if it hurt them because they were screaming while I was shaving their heads. He has gotten worse helping me dehorn that I rushed it last time and got alot of partial horns and scurs. It was cooler out when I did it and I didn't give enough time to reheat between. That is the most important part.

Next year I plan on tattooing and banding at the same time as dehorning. Get it all done at once.