I would like to know the best time to dehorn a goat, which procedure is best, and should they be anesthetized by a veterinarian.I had mine done at 10 weeks of age per vet recommendation and the goat died after the prodedure. Not sure why;anesthesia, etc.

-- Helen Curless (sccurless@fuse.net), March 23, 2001

Answers

We disbud ours with a disbudding iron when they are about 4 days to a week old. We do not anesthetize, but the procedure is not that difficult once you see how to do it, and the kids don't usually have any problems at all. The only one I can think of that we had trouble with was one of the first ones we did. We did it at about 3 weeks, and I think that was waiting too long. Ended up redoing it a couple of times, and she still has horns today. If you do them young enough, and get a good copper looking ring, it does the job, and the kids stop fussing as soon as you let them go. Act like they're no worse for wear.

-- mary, texas (marylgarcia@aol.com), March 23, 2001.

Disbud with a very hot iron at about five to eight days of age, when the horn feels slightly larger that a chocolate chip. You should definitely get someone with lots of experience to teach you the technique. Not enough heat and the horn will come back in little stunted scurs. Too much heat and you can cause brain damage. You literally burn through the scalp to the skull. There is no need to anesthetize. Two minutes after its done they will have forgotten about it. Just apply a topical antibacterial spray and keep clean to avoid infection. They should also receive their first tetanus vaccination at this time.

-- Skip Walton (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), March 24, 2001.

We give the doe a tetanus about four weeks before she kids, which is supposed to protect the kids at disbudding. We booster them at 2 months.

-- mary, texas (marylgarcia@aol.com), March 24, 2001.

Dehorning is an entirely different matter from disbudding. Dehorning is very traumatic, and the anesthesia can be tricky with goats from what I hear. It is much easier and humane to burn the hornbuds out when the kid is only a wekk old or less.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), March 25, 2001.

My first two goats I did not have dehorned until they were older. I felt real bad since it was so traumatic for them. I thought they looked neat with horns and could stand the heat better, and thought if they were never tugged on, that they wouldn't be pushy with them. WRONG! Anyhow, the vet did my wether twice, he still has spurs, and my doe he did once. She still has spurs. My 3 babies were done before 1 week, by the vet, and only one is truly now hornless, one was done twice and still has spurs. This vet does a lot of cattle dehorning and livestock work, so I thought he'd be good. I'm not taking them back for any more dehorning trauma. I'm too chicken to take the chance of hurting my goats, so NEXT time I have babies disbud, I'm taking them to an experienced goat keeper. Just because a vet claims to know everything, doesn't mean he does!

-- Cindy (jmncndy@micron.net), March 30, 2001.

I agree with the above, Skip etc. I like to have a warm bottle of milk ready for them and by the time they are done with the bottle they seem to have forgotten all about it.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), March 30, 2001.

hi,

here is a graphic website if you would like to check on how to disbud and dehorn. hope it helps.

http://www.nwinfo.net/~milkmaid/

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), March 30, 2001.

I took in our large Alpine buck yesterday to be dehorned. He was grown when I bought him and they didn't burn the horns off. He is 1 year old. He did very well, we left about 2 inches of the 14 inches of horns, very little bleeding. He was given a shot to make him sleepy, and then 2 reversal shots to wake him up again. He was very frisky at feeding last night. Seems just fine, and now those scary looking horns are gone! I can email pics if anyone is thinking on doing this. The vet charged me 50.00, and to me it is well worth it if you are going to keep a buck that knows he has horns! Sparky's horns were an accident waiting to happen.

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@hotmail.com), March 31, 2001.

I am new raising goats. I have a small herd of registered Mini LaManchas. I am looking for a veterinarian, individual, goat club, etc., in the Canton, Texas area that could help me with disbudding my kids. I do not want to attempt this without an experienced person to show me how. Can anyone help me? Thanks.

-- Susan Barefield (sevenacres@etxrn.com), June 03, 2001.

Here are the other sites for dehorning. Anesthetic on a goat, done by a vet with no knowledge of the fast metabolism of a goat, gives you a dead goat... http://www.greatgoats.com/management.html http://www.nwinfo.net/~milkmaid/ http://www.skybusiness.com/goatscanada/index91.html

Susan not sure where Canton is, I am in Cleveland above Houston. If you are within an hour of Houston email me I have a friend who does head health management at your farm and will also teach you. Here are some other goat clubs around Texas, call them, go to a meeting, get the newsletter, and find yourself a goat mentor!

Central Texas DGA Joshua TX ctdga@aol.com http://hometown.aol.com/ctdga

Cream of the Crop Caprine Club Rebecca Hall, Arp, TX 903-859-3117

Gulf Coast Goat ASSN> Mineral TX annshow@fnbnet.net

South Central, meets in Bryan and Hempstead contact me vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com

Hope this helps! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), June 03, 2001.