?? for those who band their bucklings??

chris30523 · #1 03/25/07, 01:50 PM

I have never banded and need to know how it is done and what bander you think is best for goats. I paid alot of money for my buck and don't want someone to get his bloodline for a dollar a pound. I have had two sets of triplets so far all bucklings(figures since I want does to build my herd). 19 more to go so hopefully I will get a few does

moonspinner · #2 03/25/07, 05:56 PM

I use the steel castrator sold at Jeffers. There is a plastic one but being plastic probably wouldn't hold up as long. And you use the green donught bands. Some people band early, others hold off for several weeks on the theory of growing the urethra and less chance of UC.
It's a simple procedure. First I coat the area with iodine. Some people choose to give tetanus as well. Hold the kid on your lap, back against you, get someone to hold the rear legs. (I can do it myself on my NDs). Take hold of the scrotum and make sure both testicles are in the sac, below the band. It make take a bit to make sure they stay in, as some bounce back up. Place the band on the tool's four prongs,(this should be done before you begin) open it wide (prongs facing the abdomen) and pull the scrotum through the band. Before closing, again make sure both testicles are below the band and gently roll the band off the prongs. I pull the scrotum down a bit before closing so the band is snug against the abdomen but not overly tight. Take care you don't snap the band off as I can imagine that stings pretty good!
Some goaters choose to give a baby aspirin or similar for the pain. I have found most of my wethers tend to lie around for a couple/three hours, so I do this procedure right before bedtime. A few individuals might cry a bit for awhile; others act as if nothing happened. They do tend to walk a bit funny for awhile.

chris30523 · #3 03/26/07, 08:51 AM

Thanks. I will probably get the metal one. Is 3 weeks to late? The triplets are just a week old but I have to order the bander so It will take a while to get here.

chma4 · #4 03/26/07, 09:08 AM

I have done yearling bucks for people. If you can fit the testicles in the elastrator, it is not too late. Some times it takes a little to get the testicles in and clear of the band at that age, but if you are careful, I think you could band any age goat. Like said above, just be sure BOTH testicles are in and clear of the band. you dont want to miss or squish one.

Gailann Schrader · #5 03/26/07, 09:53 AM

Yer gonna laugh and grimace at the same time. I put the green rubber 'band' in my mouth BEFORE putting it in the tool. Makes it slide off the prongs better...

Yeah, I know. Strange...

Also, make sure you DO NOT get the teats.

mary,tx · #6 03/26/07, 12:23 PM

I would not band a mature buck.
mary

Jim S. · #7 03/26/07, 01:36 PM

I too use the steel elastrator. I practice a timing that's close to what I did in my cow-calf days. For calves, I would band them in the pasture as they slept their first morning. I usually could lift the leg, then place the band, without hardly waking them up.

The kid is allowed a day after birth, to rest and to allow the testicals to descend more. Then I hold it in my left hand a moment to relax, check for two with my right fingers, then slip the band up on the scrotum.

Having done them at all ages, with calves and kids, I find that doing it early like that imposes minimum stress on the animal and also ensures that the deed is done while it is "top of mind," and not postponed. Also, I observe that there is much less chance for infection, flies, etc., as the withering scrotum is much smaller. Typically, the kid never makes a sound and walks off fine.

I have always read about iodine, iodine, iodine with goats, for navels and banding and etc. but I confess that I have never used it on my place and have found no ill result as-yet. I think open pasture kidding helps the infection situation a lot.

moonspinner · #8 03/26/07, 03:08 PM

That was a good point about watching out for the teats. They are easy to get in the band and you want to make sure they're not.

fellini123 · #9 03/26/07, 04:16 PM

We have pygmys and had 2 bucklings this year. One we wanted to keep as the new herd sire the other we banded at about 1 month old. He was MUCH more upset at being held in one place then about what daddy was doing to his "privates!" LOL Once it was done I put him down and he ran right off, hasn't slowed down yet!! LOL

Alice in Virginia

Sweet Goats · #10 03/26/07, 04:45 PM

I also use the metal one. I band mine about 6 weeks old, depending on the size of the boys. The other thing besides watching for the teat, make sure you have both testicals in the band. I bought a wether that had only one testical banded. He had to have the other one sergicaly fixed. If you band the too youung ,then you don't give there urethra (sp) time to mature and you have a better chance of them getting UC. Now that is not a 100% sure thing.
I am looking at Midstateswoolgrowers catalog right now. They have them for $10.95.