Anyone ever wethered an older buck?

MisFitFarm · #1 07/04/08, 10:04 PM

I have a 2 1/2 year old Boer buck who is more of a pet than anything. At some point I'm not going to breed the few Boer does I have anymore. The problem is that I am very attached to this guy, he thinks he's a dog and follows me around the farm. He and the does will be allowed to live out their lives as nothing more than pets and lawn mowers.

My question is, have any of you ever wethered an older buck? How do they do?

MisFitFarm · #2 07/08/08, 07:48 PM

Errr, ANYBODY? Got ANY suggestions?

RiverPines · #3 07/08/08, 08:07 PM

Many vets can castrate them if you dont want to do the deed yourself.

I dont know how to do it as I cant cut a live animal unless its to save its life.

I dont keep livestock as pets so once a breeder is used up its freezer camp.

Minelson · #4 07/08/08, 08:31 PM

I would contact your vet. I don't think it would be a problem for him to be surgically neutered.He is not that old. I think you would be really happy you did it and it shouldn't cost too much either.

DKWunlimited · #5 07/08/08, 08:45 PM

I have spoken with a vet about it and he said a local would be needed because of the pain involved.. but it can be done

lupiefarmer · #6 07/08/08, 08:47 PM

I was first going to say to band him with a large bander. We have one we do older calves (almost 1 year old). They are large like the goats - when gremlin gets to that point on this farm he will be taken care of in that manner and let to roam and mow. He started out sleeping in our bed for the first 3 months how could I slaughter him. He is my baby. If I sit in a lawn chair where he is near he still tries to sit on my lap and when he is standing his head is up to my chest - I am 5'5". I will be bending into the grain bin or the turkey pen and turn and there is gremmy's head - like yours how could you get rid of him. We will band him unless our wonderful vet in the meantime says we are nuts. We will ask on one of the next few visits. good luck with this and let us know how you do. Laurie (vtfarma)

kerrinatoz · #7 07/09/08, 02:25 PM

I just got my just turned one year old buck castrated and we took him to a local goat vet. They usually do it starting at 1 year since castration does not give the guys any trouble from calcium deposits blocking their urethea. He went in yesterday and hes looking great today!

Chaty · #8 07/10/08, 07:45 AM

I have banded older goats and havent had any problems. I use the cattle bander for larger animals and I give a shot of Banamine ...Just got thru doing 2 a few days ago and they are doing great. I also saved the money I would of used for the vet visit. I also just got thru doing to larger bull calves and they are fine also. Usually the older the better with goats as it helps keep down the UC in them. Good Luck

Freeholder · #9 07/10/08, 01:53 PM

I have one wether that I waited until sixteen months to get him castrated (he's to be used for packing). I took him to the vet -- might in future use the cattle-sized bander (it would be cheaper to buy one than to take a goat to the vet). But, it worked well, and wasn't really all THAT expensive. You should probably check with your vet.

Also, you might want to wait until cool weather in the fall kills the flies off.

Kathleen

DixyDoodle · #10 07/10/08, 07:14 PM

Just wondering what a vet normally charges for this? I have a potential buyer that might decide to wether one of my bucklings. I know disbudding is cheap: $25 per goat, including anesthesia (never had problems with this on goats). I'm thinking maybe $60 or something, tops?