So nervous about disbudding

Suzyq2u · #1 03/13/12, 08:38 AM

UGH, I know it has to be done...we've dealt with horns, not doing so isn't an option for us.
We bought the iron (rheinhart x50 with the caprine tip)
But other than youtube clips, never seen it in person.
Of course we'll suck it up and get it done.
Can you give a newbie any tips?

Rockytopsis · #2 03/13/12, 08:48 AM

I have never watched the clips so I cant speak for them. I was fortunate enough to have a close friend teach me her way of doing it. I just learned this spring so I understand how you feel.

If you shave the head good and get rid of as much hair as you can it wont smell so bad.

Another hint that I can pass along is what she does. After disbudding take the edge of the iron and lightly tap the center of the horn bud to form a X. She has been doing this for some time and says that since she started this she has never had a scur.

Something else she told me is do not speak while burning the horn bud. That way the kid wont associate the pain with human voice. After the procedure is done pick them up and just love and ooh and ahh over them all you want to.

Nancy

Hollowdweller · #3 03/13/12, 08:56 AM

Build yourself a kidding box or some way to hold the kid securely.

Don't wait till the horn bud is too big or you may have to burn them too much.

Wear a glove on the hand you are going to hold the kid with.

You can get a better burn in shorter time if you clip the area but not 100% needed.

Let the iron warm up good. I like to go like 20 min or more. Be sure to have a wire brush because if you don't clean it off you won't get the copper ring.

Grab the kids head. I like to make sure the ears are covered cause if they flail around you can accidentally burn their ears. Put the iron on and hold it on there for around 10 or 15 seconds. I like to sort of move it back and forth around the outside margins a bit to eliminate scurs.

Lift it off. If there is any little horn bud I like to make sure that comes off. Sometimes you have to burn around the edges of it where it's still attached after you do it although on very young goats it will be really small and not a concern.

Once I have burned one horn bud I like to go ahead and tattoo one ear. That gives the skull a bit of time to cool down. It also reminds you that tatoooing hurts more than disbudding although disbudding is more dramatic.

Once I have done both you want to make sure you've got a nice copper colored ring and you should be done.

For bucks a lot of times I'll burn it straight then I'll do a short burn about 1/2" in front and behind the ring I just did since bucks are more likely to get scurs.
You can come a little bit toward the middle more on the back ones to get some of the stink gland if you want.

I like to disbud right before feeding so the kids have an empty stomach. As soon as they are done I like to feed them to make sure they are acting normally.

T.Miller · #4 03/13/12, 08:57 AM

I've had LaManchas for 6 years and this is the first year that I finally got up the nerve to do it myself. I've seen it done numerous times by my friends. For me, it's actually harder to watch it being done than it is to actually do it.
I did mine the way my friend, Autumn does it. She doesn't use a disbudding box. She uses a 5 gallon bucket. Put the kid inside the bucket, sit on the bucket, pull the kids head up between your legs, and rest the kids chin on your leg. I used my clippers to trim the hair away from the buds to cut down on the smell and to be able to see them. I made sure my iron was good and hot and burned for 5 seconds on each one 2 or 3 times until I had a good copper ring before calling it done.
I have done 13 so far this year. Time will tell how good of a job I done.

Blessings,
Terry

Suzyq2u · #5 03/13/12, 09:16 AM

Thanks guys.
What's the latest days old would you do? My parents are coming in this weekend, and dad's extra hands would be helpful. But they're a wk old tomorrow.

RedSonja · #6 03/13/12, 09:53 AM

I wouldn't wait any longer if they're already a week old.

Nothing to add to the advice already given. I disbudded 6 kids this year and banded one adult goat that came to us with horns. I can tell you I much prefer the few seconds of burn and it is over to the 3 days of moaning and groaning from the end result of the banding. Had a relatively blood-free first horn coming off from banding and hoping to be as lucky with the second. But this experience with banding makes future disbudding much less traumatic for me to do.

-Sonja

Donna1982 · #7 03/13/12, 10:00 AM

We just had the breeder do Boos, and Jacks. Boo was a little over two weeks old and I will never wait that long again. I would do it within the first week if it was me doing it.

Kits&Kids · #8 03/13/12, 10:11 AM

If you are rt handed hold the kid with your left arm and with your left hand hold between the nose and eyes.this keeps the face down and the buds up.Be ready to hold tight.they are suprisingly strong at that age...

Hollowdweller · #9 03/13/12, 10:27 AM

I think 10 days is the upper limit. Less for bucks.

But it really depends on the individual animal.

If the horn buds are bigger you can still do them but I feel it's too hard on the animal.

Alice In TX/MO · #10 03/13/12, 10:34 AM

Do it today. Any longer is pushing the limit, and you're more likely to get scurs. BURN that X in the middle of the bud, too. Tapping won't get it hot enough.

Suzyq2u · #11 03/13/12, 11:02 AM

Just went out and felt on all of them. Daisy's kids I can feel a bud, but nothing on the other 4. I guess I'll get them shaved up and see what I can see on all.

Suzyq2u · #12 03/13/12, 11:34 AM

Well daisy's kid's are pretty obvious, but really I'd be guessing on the other 4...
*sigh*

Alice In TX/MO · #13 03/13/12, 12:08 PM

What breed are these? You may have a few extra days if they aren't Saanen, Alpine, etc. Some of the smaller breeds aren't as aggressive on bud growth.

Suzyq2u · #14 03/13/12, 12:12 PM

They're all nubian x alpine. (maybe some more mutt in there)
It's weird because Mama is Daisy's mother (both the same sire), both sets literally born 5 min apart, but so different on their buds. Daisy's being very prominent and non on mama's kids.
Same with Star's - the no visible buds (same sire)

SpiderLegs · #15 03/13/12, 01:00 PM

Polled gene?

Suzyq2u · #16 03/13/12, 01:05 PM

I suppose it's possible... but we have no clue about their genetics.

farmergirl · #17 03/13/12, 01:31 PM

Just disbudded the twin La Mancha/Nubian bottle babies yesterday. They are now 5 weeks old and we had no problem getting them done.
I'm surprised to read people saying older than 1 week is too old. We've disbudded kids for the last several years at anywhere between 2 weeks and 6 weeks and never had much trouble. Occasionally, we redo them a couple weeks later if it looks like the horns are starting to grow back, but usually that's not needed.

As for tips: Have someone hold onto them for you. I wouldn't bother attempting to disbud kids by myself.

Alice In TX/MO · #18 03/13/12, 01:54 PM

I'm thinking LaMancha and Nubians can go longer.... like you said.

I couldn't wait that long on Alpine or Saanen.

farmergirl · #19 03/13/12, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

I'm thinking LaMancha and Nubians can go longer.... like you said.

I couldn't wait that long on Alpine or Saanen.

Fascinating! I never even thought about how they might have horn growth at different rates. Our Alpine doe just had a single Nubian cross buckling. Will have to watch his little horn buds to see if they come on more quickly.

I swear I learn something every time I log in to this forum! lol

Laura Workman · #20 03/14/12, 01:26 AM

Here's my page on disbudding: http://www.glimmercroft.com/Disbudding.html