Disbudding?

colemangirly · #1 03/27/11, 05:44 PM

Okay, I just disbudded my first goat. I am hoping that I got it right. My little Kinder buck was 5 days old and had good buds. I let the iron (x30) get red hot, shaved the nubs and guess what, the box my hubby built me was WAY to big. Little guy could just pull his head right in the box. Also the tip seemed WAY to big for his little buds. I could barely hold him still to do the tips, so I tried using the side of the iron and did a little better. Now he is destined for the freezer, so I can handle some err, but I don't think it was a good job as there are no rings as I just used the side not the end. I need to have hubby make a smaller neck opening for me for the little doe that I will have to do in a few days and the up and coming next kidding.
What do you all think? Do I HAVE to have rings? Or can using the side of the iron work as well?

Help for future disbudding!

Alice In TX/MO · #2 03/27/11, 05:48 PM

Yes, you have to do rings because you have to get the outside edges of the bud area or you will have scurs. That whole area at the base of the little horn bud is active horn growing material.

I also had my husband add an insert of a piece of stainless steel pipe that fits just inside the tip on my 30X. It helps get a more complete fat circle burn.

Did your hubby use the directions for the kid box from fiascofarm.com?

6e · #3 03/27/11, 05:50 PM

Yeah, you have to have rings and in my personal experience, even a copper ring doesn't guarantee anything. We had a doeling that had PERFECT copper rings, but I didn't go deep enough and she has one growing that I'll have to re-do. We don't use a disbudding box. The way I was taught and the way I do it is I just grab their head, sit down, pull them up between my legs, lay their head on my thigh, lock them in and do it. It helps if I have a helper to hold their head perfectly still. I would love to have a disbudding box, but I can't afford one and I don't think I could build one either. I'm not that good with wood.

colemangirly · #4 03/27/11, 05:56 PM

Darn, I will have to redo him then. When is a good time to redo it? Right now, or wait a day? The tip seems to swallow his head I don't want to hurt him but how long to wait?

Our box was from fiasco farm, but they are smaller Kinder goats and half the box would have been enough.

Thanks all!

Alice In TX/MO · #5 03/27/11, 06:16 PM

I'd wait a couple of days if they are small goats. For my Mini-Manchas, waiting a few extra days doesn't hurt.