de-horning goatlings with bands???

[LaManchaPaul]

Does anyone have experience dis-budding/de-horning one-month old goats with bands? This is a concept mentioned to me, but I can't find a procedure. Thanks. LaManchaPaul paulbridges1952@hotmail.com

[SweetMissDaisy]

This might help you:
http://www.greatgoats.com/articles/dehorning_text.html

You might also find more online by searching for "Elastrator Dehorning"

[whinnyninny]

I've thought about trying that with my 7-month-old doeling, but was concerned about problems with her getting her horns caught on the fence, or butting the fence when the dogs come near it, or butting her mother...

[LaManchaPaul]

Thanks SweetMissDaisy. This website is exactly what I was looking for!!!!! Thanks.. LaManchaPaul

[oberhaslikid]

Originally Posted by LaManchaPaul

Does anyone have experience dis-budding/de-horning one-month old goats with bands? This is a concept mentioned to me, but I can't find a procedure. Thanks. LaManchaPaul paulbridges1952@hotmail.com

A one month olds horns are not going to be done growing. You might want to wait.I tried to do a 4 month old doeling and the horn continues to grow.The band took off the top 4 inches but she still had a nub.

[Alice In TX/MO]

It's my understanding that the horns grow continually throughout the goat's life.

We had tried the iron disbudding on our LaMancha doelings, and had success on three of four horns.

After the second failed burning attempt, we used the elastrator band on the remaining horn. The doe was about two months old.

The band must be actually below the growth line of the horn - down on the skin. Look at the pictures very carefully for that detail.

Our doeling acted uncomfortable for a very short time. The surface of the horn came off after about a week. The rest of the horn came off after a month. It's too soon to tell if this is going to be 100% successful, but it's looking good to me.

[SweetMissDaisy]

I'm considering this for my little pygmy goat, which is how I knew about the link I posted. I just got two ND's that have been disbudded, but my little pygmy has her horns still. They're about 1.5" long I would estimate. She's already proven that she wants to be the herd boss, and I don't want her causing any injuries with her horns - intentional or not. For now, I'm having to keep her separate from the ND babies, who are about 12 wks old.

[SweetMissDaisy]

PS: I should also say that I'm nervous about doing it, too. UGH. I've never done anything like this before... I'm a new goat mama, and don't want to do anything wrong!