Disbudding iron

[Lizzieag]

I am planning on buying a disbudding iron to use on my Nigerian dwarf kids. The disbudding iron that a fellow Nigie breeder uses is not specifically sized for Nigerians. When I look online, it looks like I need a specialized size for Nigerians? Do I or don't I?

Has anyone had good success with a specific iron or had bad success with a certain iron?

[HazyDay]

Caprine Supply sells a tip for a dissbuder, but they also say the Rineheart X50 will work fine on them. I don't know I all know it the X50 works great on Nubians!

[pookshollow]

No, you don't need one specifically for the Nigerians. I use a Rhinehart X30 on my big kids and my little kids.

[mygoat]

This was my first year disbudding and I learned quick to let the iron heat up well between horn buds because I had one horn grow back on most of my first set of disbudded goats... Lesson learned! I let it heat up well between the rest of my horns, and not a problem. Oh, it's an x50, too. I rather like it.

[moonspinner]

Have the X-30 and works great.

[Oldntimes]

I have the X-40 and I used the smaller tip, was not impressed. I now just use the regular size and even though it looks quite large for my little Nigie's heads it works well... It take practice to do a goot burning. I have done many, mant and still need practice LOL!!!!

[mygoat]

Originally Posted by Oldntimes

I have the X-40 and I used the smaller tip, was not impressed. I now just use the regular size and even though it looks quite large for my little Nigie's heads it works well... It take practice to do a goot burning. I have done many, mant and still need practice LOL!!!!

Do you mean the 'mini' tip that they sell, not the regular goat tip?

I know what you mean, I took one look at the 'mini' tip when I ordered it and said, no way is that large enough! I just used the full size goat tip, and it works just fine on my minis.

[Oldntimes]

Do you mean the 'mini' tip that they sell, not the regular goat tip?

Yup..the mini tip. It does have a wider contact ring, but I did not have good results with it.

[Laura Workman]

I bought both the Mini tip and the Buck tip with my X50. Both are still shiny new. They are just too small, even for Nigerians. Especially when you consider that Nigerians have some of the stubbornest horns of any of the breeds. You really just need to use that regular goat tip, or the X30. And for buck Nigerians, definitely burn a "figure 8."

[Lizzieag]

Well I went ahead and ordered the X30. Sounds like it is easier to use than the x-50 with a special tip. I had two buck kids born this week, so I will let you know how it works.

[HazyDay]

I don't know why they sell smaller sizes! All you have to do is burn around the horn bud. The horn bud is just in the way! LOL!

[Laura Workman]

I wish I'd gotten the X30. For all its extra power, the X50 is a pain because it can be hard to get a solid connection between the add-on tip and the main, calf-disbudding head. Without an excellent connection, you don't get the heat you need. My next will be an X30, most definitely.