What to file goats horns with?

frustratedearthmother

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I recently banded a scur on a doe and it worked great! Her scur was about 4 inches long, kind of scaly, curved and very, very loose. It came off in about a week and there was only a pink spot under it. I don't think I would try it on a larger more secure scur.

I had tried it once before and it didn't work because the band rolled up. The next time I got it as close to the skull as I could and wrapped some duct tape around it. Worked like a charm!
 

treeclimber233

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The one I banded was being a real meanie in the herd. He was ramming everybody for no reason. just because he could. He was the only one with horns and took advantage. I don't know how anybody can rate the pain caused by the band. How do they know it hurts? His horn fell off after a while with little blood. Just make sure the band is as close to his skull as possible.
 

Moody

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I don't have the tools required for banding at this moment. I keep hoping my doe has all girl kids because I haven't thought much about weathering the boys, lol. They probably should be wethered since they are a alpine nubian mix. I can't imagine too many want a mixed buck.

Anyway, I think I will try the gigli saw first. Just about 1/2-3/4 inch. If that proves to be impossible or annoying since I already have lots of hoof trimming I do, I will try banding. He has trees around. I was hoping he would rub them on a tree and it would fall off or break off some to keep them small and out of the way.


These scurs seem hard. I know he broke a bit of the other one off when I first got him but it didn't all break off. Just when I try to check out his scur, he pushes against me. Like I am trying to play with him he pushes. I don't play with him. I give him scratches but I don't play. Anyway with his pushes, it is firmly seated. No wiggling.
 

Moody

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image.jpg
 

Moody

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Crap. This one had uniform scurs. Was bumped on the way into the feeding area and bam. Blood is pouring out everywhere. I have nothing to stop it. Just paper towels and now she has freaked out.
 

Southern by choice

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If it were me I would have the does surgically removed. The other pic of the buckling I would gigli, but if you plan on keeping him them maybe just have him done too while it is still cold weather.
It is relatively easy to change dressings and then you are done with it.
 

Moody

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I've had her for a few months and hers were always the same size. Now she is running amok because I can't catch her. Will she be ok despite all the blood?

I will check on costs for removing her scurs and his too but it is property tax time, and house insurance time and then income tax time. Not much free dough right now.
 

frustratedearthmother

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The doe that I did seemed to have NO side-effects at all except for a little head shaking the first 10 minutes or so. After that - nothing. If she had seemed to be in any real pain, I would have chickened out and cut it off, lol. But, her scur was very, very loose.

I've got bucks with bigger, more firmly attached scurs that I would never attempt.
 

Southern by choice

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The doe that I did seemed to have NO side-effects at all except for a little head shaking the first 10 minutes or so. After that - nothing. If she had seemed to be in any real pain, I would have chickened out and cut it off, lol. But, her scur was very, very loose.

I've got bucks with bigger, more firmly attached scurs that I would never attempt.
Could you even band the does? they seen too short to be able to keep a band on.
 

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