Disbudding and Castrating Questions

[TheNelsons]

I was on bed rest(I am preggers) for a couple of weeks and kidding season went on without me...lol
This is our 2nd season, but last year we only had does(2) and they were polled so none of this came up...

Question #1... How old is too old to band for N.Dwarf bucks? They are 4 weeks going on 5, still pretty small, but I want to do what is best for them pain wise... If you think it has not been too too long can you give ideas on how to do this or point me to online directions?

Question #2 The boys are polled, but the 2 doelings are not so I will need to disbud them They are almost two weeks old and I am starting to feel thier little buds, they are full size goats not ND.. Can I still do this here or no? Do they need to go to the vet? If I can then please again.. Directions or an online source for how to...

Things I need to know if we can do these things are... Equipment? Pain managment? Medical needs?

Thanks to everyone.. Man I am GLAD to be up and about again!!!

Steph

[Sweet Goats]

I know nothing about disbudding because mine have to have horns, but the banding, I don't band my boys until they are at least 8 weeks old. I wait for two reasons, 1. that way you know the testicals are dropped and 2. it is lesslikely for them to get UC, if you let them mature a little. It is only uncomfortable for about the first several hours. I would rather a older goat go without eating then a little one. Most of mine just go in a corner and lay down, and stay there for several hours.

[moonspinner]

I don't band my NDs til 6/7 weeks. One time I even banded a big boy at 12 weeks and he did fine. As long as the testicles fit into the band you can do it but I wouldn't let it go quite that long.
As per disbudding, two week old does should be done now, though if the buds are small enough you could likely get away with a bit longer. If you don't now have disbudding iron and if you've never observed it done, I would suggest finding an experienced goat keeper or vet to do this for you the first time.

[TheNelsons]

Any experienced goat folks in my area willing to show me the disbudding ropes? I am in Texas between San Marcos and New Braunfels...

Steph