Banding?

Creamers · #1 03/13/11, 07:46 PM

I need to band our Mini Nubian buckling, as he is selling as a companion to his full sister.

We've never wethered any of our kids, and he is almost 4 weeks.

When is the ideal age?

Tips to be sure we make it as painless as possible?

Do they scream and act like they are dying from it typically?

Backfourty,MI. · #2 03/13/11, 07:57 PM

When I have any that I need to band I do it at about 4 weeks of age. I feel if they get much older they are getting bigger & therefore it will be more uncomfortable for them.

Make sure when you do it that you don't pinch his belly skin in the band, don't get his little teats in there or he'll really scream, plus I try to make sure the hairs aren't pulling too much there.
Sounds like alot but it's actually just a few minutes.
Definately make sure both little testicles are down in the sacks. I know if mine cry sometimes(even before I've done anything) it's like they suck one of those little suckers up inside.
I have never had any that were real drama queens & usually in 20 minutes or so their acting like they don't know it's done.

motdaugrnds · #3 03/14/11, 12:03 AM

Since I cannot find the tiny "piglet bands" for neutering, I have to use the ones described as being for goats. Thus, I make sure the buck is old enough to have a testical large enough for this to work well on.

First thing I do is yell for David to help. He holds the buckling up while I coat that area with Hydrogen pyroxide. (I also keep the rubbers in alcohol.) Then I place the band on with the tool I have, making sure "both" little sacks have come down into that band and stay there as I take the tool off.

I have been doing this for many years and the bucks show signs of discomfort; yet even that does not last long. The very next day they are usually running around with their dams.

Keep a close eye on them, checking that area each night to make sure something has not gone wrong, it has not gotten infected or whatever. (Sometimes I coat the area again with Hydrogen Pyroxide. Oh yes, I love HP!) It won't be long before it all dries up and drops off.