question about presale disbudding

[JoannaCW]

We've always sold our dairy x meat kids before to people who were interested in the meat end of things and didn't mind the goats having horns. This year we have a buyer who really wants them hornless. I've never disbudded and don't plan to start now. The buyer-to-be wants to take them to a friend for disbudding on Saturday, when they'll be just over 2 weeks old, and then bring them back to us to raise until weaning (another 4-6 weeks).

I have two concerns. The kids are dam-raised, it would be their first time away from their mother, and they're quite young. I suppose I could see if the friend could come here to disbud... I also am concerned about the possibility that the disbudding may not go well and the customer may then decide they don't want the kids. This could be partly addressed by requiring a nonrefundable deposit in advance... Have any of you dealt with similar requests from customers? If so, what did you do, or what would you recommend?

Originally Posted by JoannaCW

We've always sold our dairy x meat kids before to people who were interested in the meat end of things and didn't mind the goats having horns. This year we have a buyer who really wants them hornless. I've never disbudded and don't plan to start now. The buyer-to-be wants to take them to a friend for disbudding on Saturday, when they'll be just over 2 weeks old, and then bring them back to us to raise until weaning (another 4-6 weeks).

I have two concerns. The kids are dam-raised, it would be their first time away from their mother, and they're quite young. I suppose I could see if the friend could come here to disbud... I also am concerned about the possibility that the disbudding may not go well and the customer may then decide they don't want the kids. This could be partly addressed by requiring a nonrefundable deposit in advance... Have any of you dealt with similar requests from customers? If so, what did you do, or what would you recommend?

I would not allow either scenario, just me personally.

Once they leave your property I would not allow them to come back on. You will have know idea what other goats or anything else they may come into contact with. The disbudding could also go wrong or a number of other things. It would be your choice to let the new buyer take them at the two weeks and start bottle raising them.If you have never disbudded, I would not start now.

Allowing someone else to come on your property and disbud could also have bad outcomes. If that person hurt or burned themselves while on your property, liability could be placed on you.

They can still disbud at 8 weeks of age. It has been done even later than that many times.

[PNP Katahdins]

If the buyer doesn't want to take the kids and bottle feed them, they should find a seller who is willing to disbud. You don't have to sell to them and they don't have to buy from you.

Good luck with them and keep your herd safe.

Peg

[Alice In TX/MO]

I have gone to friends' houses to disbud for them. Emily disbuds for folks all the time.

One can live in fear or live wisely.

[MDKatie]

If you're uncomfortable with them taking the goats off your property, simply ask if the person can come to yours. I'd just ask for a non-refundable deposit if you are worried about them backing out.

I wouldn't buy from someone who wouldn't let me have the goats disbudded, and I certainly wouldn't buy a goat kid and wait 8 weeks for disbudding. It's much easier on them at a very young age. Heck, I don't think I could get away with waiting 2 weeks...my Ober bucklings usually are ready to disbud by 5-7 days.

[JoannaCW]

Thanks for the thoughts, everyone. It's good to see a broader range of concerns...also to be reminded that one can be too cautious...
Alice, do you and your friend generally go to the goat's home to disbud or do you sometimes let people bring goats to your place and disbud them there?

[KrisD]

I would have the buyer pay for the baby in full before disbudding so if there is a problem your not on the line. I would have it done sooner rather then later. 2 weeks is pushing the limit IMO.
I would have someone come to the house and would not let the baby off the property especially to a farm I am unfamiliar with.

[Muleman]

I would want a full payment. I would also not let my animal go to another farm then back again. Bio-security issues in that.

[Alice In TX/MO]

I have both gone to the other farm and disbudded outside of their goat pens and had them come here and I disbudded on my front porch.

That takes care of the biosecurity concern.

[dozedotz]

Living in total fear here!! Not afraid to admit it...I would not allow the kids to leave, would not take them back once they did and probably would not allow the disbudding to take place at my place done by someone of the customer's choosing. Now, having said that in my most fearful and sincere way, I add this: Emily is the ONE exception to this ironclad rule. But, come one, Emily is an exception to about everything!!!! It's like saying
"Oh, I guess Christ could do it or Ghandi would be OK." When you start talking Emily and goats, everything changes...just my opinion.

[wolffeathers]

I would only allow them to disbud IF the kids are paid for in FULL. What if they ruin or kill those kids with a crazy disbudding job? (I've heard of local owners losing kids to inexperienced veterinarian disbuddings). I wouldn't let the kids leave the property without being paid for, who says those kids will come back? You may consider it being paranoid, but that's how I would approach it.

[Frosted Mini's]

Yeah, payment in full, first. I disbud my goats and would require the same if someone wanted horns left on.