disbudding and showing in Texas

boilerjoe_96 · #1 03/14/09, 12:51 AM

So I have 3 does and 1 soon to be whether all born in the last 12 days.

The whether is getting disbudded tomorrow...what about the does.

If my children getinto FFA or 4H(in texas) do they need to be hornless?

These are boer goats pure and percentage.

they will be shown at ABGA events which allow horns, but I wanted to plan ahead for 4h or FFA.

Any help so I don't make a mistake would be appreciated...

DairyGoatSlave · #2 03/14/09, 09:02 AM

it differs from county to county. When i was in 4-h and now in ffa no one shows a horned goat, no matter what the breed. I would say go ahead a disbud now, that way just in case you wont have a problem later

but thats just me

Goat Servant · #3 03/14/09, 06:20 PM

Boers can have horns in ABGA & USBGA shows. FFA & 4H might have different rules. I'd like to know myself!

Jcran · #4 03/14/09, 06:27 PM

Here in California, 4-Hers are preferred to have dehorned but if they do have horns, they must have the tips cut off, 1 1/2 inches I think.

Cannon_Farms · #5 03/14/09, 06:42 PM

They have to be "tipped" here to because of safety concerns with the kids, its rather frowned upon in the breed shows to dehorn around here, Im not a fan of it in any case.
Im just getting into goat 4H and around here if you show a doe in the market class you have to butcher her, thats why you dont see that many. I would have them a 4 H wether and then also have the kids show in breed classes using what they learn in 4H. None of the kids in our class have their wethers dehorned, kinda makes it unfair to keep them in the rest of the herd if you should deside not to butcher them at the end.

ahahahni1 · #6 03/14/09, 06:47 PM

Not sure about all of Texas but as of two years ago (last time we showed wethers in 4H) Horned wethers would be disqualified.

Cannon_Farms · #7 03/14/09, 07:02 PM

Boer wethers as well? I know dairy has to be dehorned but not boer.

Cannon_Farms · #8 03/14/09, 07:06 PM

http://www.triquestboergoats.com/abgabreedstandards.htm
Boer goat breed standards

houndlover · #9 03/14/09, 07:51 PM

Check with your county and your state show. One may allow horns while the other won't. Counties are usually more conservative than state wide shows.

Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians · #10 03/15/09, 04:36 PM

The children when they come to your farm know the rules of the shows they are showing at. Both about scrapie tags, but also if the horns have to be disbudded or tipped. They would normally know what age and weight kid they want also so the kid can be in the heavyweight class at their county show. Since county 4H/FFA shows aren't ABGA shows those rules are moot, and since Texas 4H doesn't go by National 4H rules in breeding stock or in market classes, it's also county by county rules, set by the fair boards.

Before tipping or disbudding have them ask their 4H leader. Vicki