disbudding question

tim1970 · #1 06/07/10, 02:23 PM

Since I have no experience at disbudding, I am going to take the new kids to a someone that does have experience. My question is since he lives about 30 minutes away, will it be ok to separate a mother from her kid for a couple of hours? Or do I need to take the mom with me when I go? Or a third option of getting him to come to my house, or finding someone closer that can do it?

Thanks

Tim

nehimama · #2 06/07/10, 02:40 PM

First off, I'm glad you've found someone who can do it. I hope he / she has lots of experience, and you won't have to worry.

I take mine to a friend about 40 min away, and yes, the babies can be away from mom that long. On those trips, I don't plan anything else - no shopping, no visiting, just get it done and get right back home to mama.

farmmom · #3 06/07/10, 03:03 PM

I agree. They should be fine. It's great when beginners have someone who is willing to help them learn the ropes.

Olivia67 · #4 06/08/10, 08:47 AM

I have decided that I will be helping one of my customers next year if she has kids from the goat that I'm selling her with the disbudding. I'm not an expert but I have been disbudding for about four years now and have gotten a lot better. I'm doing this because I do feel it's important and the responsible thing to do and I know how scared I was the first time I did it by myself and how badly it went too. I had no choice but to do alone and I don't want my customers, who are usually first time goat owners, to have to go through it alone like I did. You're lucky to have someone to help you through this-take the advice from Nehimama, no visiting, no side trips, just go there and get it done and bring them home to their momma.

Jyllie63 · #5 06/08/10, 09:01 AM

Yep...I totally agree...they will be fine away from momma for 2-3 hours

.

moonspinner · #6 06/08/10, 08:49 PM

When I took kids for disbudding to someone about 40 minutes away I did have a couple does reject the kids for about a day afterwards. I think it was a combo of the iron smell plus odors from the other farm that put off the moms. All of them took the kids back though and I've even had a couple here and there that I did on site that rejected kids for several hours.