Wethering

[cjmeatgoats]

I have a buck that I really want to keep around and show as a wether, but I have some questions about it.

I heard that sometimes when you wether them they can block up urinary wise, is this true and what are the other risks or problems?

How old should you do them at, and do you band them or cut them? (we have steers) thats why I'm asking.

I appriciate any information you guys can give me, this is such great site!

[thaiblue12]

I have 3 useless wethers, lol. I had 2 of them banded at 6 weeks old to avoid some urinary problems. One came to me already wethered.
Too much grain can cause Urinary Calculi. I am not sure if other things can as well. So I give them alfalfa pellets and hay with very little grain. I also add apple cider vinegar to their water a few times a week and sprinkle some ( I cannot remember the name! ) over their food. This is going to bug me till I can think of it!
Some people use the emasculator to crush the tubes to wether. It leaves them with small shrunken testies, others cut.
Banding made them lay in a corner and whine for about and hour or so and then next day they were fine. I feed them a bottle or gave animal crackers while my neighbor does it and they did not notice it.

[Backfourty,MI.]

It is true that buck's & wethers can have urinary problems & sometimes it could be from wethering but normally it's from too much grain & the calcium to phosphorus ratio being off in what they eat!
Banding at a vey young age they say doesn't give the urethra time to fully develop. I banded 3 last year at about 2 weeks & not a problem with a one of them but my Buck got urinary stones this winter. Finally gor him all better & no more grain for any of the boys on my farm.
If you do give any grain they definately need ammonium chloride topdressed with the food.