Castration age range

Fireflyfarms · Apr 26, 2015

What would be a range for the aging for doing this? thinking of using the elastic method. One ram i know for a fact i am keeping as he is from a new line and i want to see him grow out...

Some of the other wee ones, unsure on my direction but want to know what i have for timeframe.

Thanks!

mysunwolf · Apr 26, 2015

Ideally, you do it in the first few weeks of life. However, it is possible to band even after a few months, and many farmers that I know have a rule that if you can fit the testicles in the band, you can band.

BrownSheep · Apr 26, 2015

We tend to see the younger the lamb is the better they handle castration. Personally I try to get it done around a week old. Anything after 3.5 months I would leave it to a vet. The more tissue a band has the cut through the great the chance of infection.

Cutting can be done at a later age but once again the older they are the more likely I am to let a vet handle it.

Fireflyfarms · Apr 27, 2015

Thank you both..

Oldest boy is only about to be 2mths on the 3rd of May, the rest are younger than that.

Any advice, tips on using an elastic method? this is a new one for us.

BrownSheep · Apr 27, 2015

Make certain both testicles are down in the scrotum before you allow the band off of the applicator. It is very easy to miss a testicle.

purplequeenvt · Apr 27, 2015

I'd do the 2 month old as soon as possible if you are going to use a band. Too much longer and things aren't going to fit.

I generally get the band over the scrotum, pop the testicles in, and close the band. BEFORE slipping the band off the tool, I double check to make sure that both testicles are there and that they are all the way in. Once I'm sure, I pop the band off and let them go. They will flail around and complain about it, but normally the fussing doesn't last longer than 30 minutes.

It would be a good idea to make sure that they are vaccinated against tetanus prior to castrating.

frustratedearthmother · Apr 27, 2015

I may be the rogue in this area, lol. I tend to wait until I see the testicles start their growth spurt. It can be different ages for different goats (sorry, don't do sheep). But, when testicular growth has started it also means that the urethra has grown also. According to my veterinarian, this will help prevent the incidence of urinary calculi in the little fellas. Short answer is I don't go by age - I go by size!

Everything the other posters mentioned about making sure you've got both of the testicles is 'spot on' great advice!

mysunwolf · Apr 27, 2015

@frustratedearthmother I do the same thing with boys I know that I'm going to keep! But for meat they're here for such a short time that I don't worry about it.

frustratedearthmother · Apr 27, 2015

Makes sense!

BrownSheep · Apr 27, 2015

We've kept wethers for up to 1.5 yr old haven't had in issue with urinary calculi. I wonder of it isn't as prevalent in sheep as goats...Fruit for thought.

Castration age range

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