Banding Horns

[aggieterpkatie]

I don't think its much to nice to have to burn, or band twice...but honestly, I am finding I prefer to band them off.

You may prefer to band them but how do you think the goat would feel? I think I would prefer a once-and-done burning (which lasts a very short time) compared to a lengthy banding process. Seems to me (and I can't say for sure, because I'm not a goat ) that burning, even though it may seem horrible, is over pretty quickly. Banding has got to be painful and lasts a great deal longer than burning. Kids who get disbudded are up and playing minutes after being burned.

 

[BlackWatchLady]

I don't think its much to nice to have to burn, or band twice...but honestly, I am finding I prefer to band them off.

Kids who get disbudded are up and playing minutes after being burned.

Mine were out being goat kids as soon as we were done banding. They act no diffrent now with horns banded, then they did with horns un banded.

So that does not sway me,

 

[Livinwright Farm]

I haven't read through the entire thread, but noticed a few posting that they may have to disbud their goats at somepoint due to an aggressive one. In my opinion, it is better for the herd and various breeds, if you just send the overly aggressive ones to freezer camp. There is always going to be head butting/ramming, pot shots, and even a hook under and attempt to flip each other, they are goats, and those actions are normal for them. If it is just normal herd status rituals or bucks showing off who is better than whom, then I say don't worry about it. My 1 yr old buck will occassionally hook his head around and under one of the younger boys and either push or flip them back. It looks mean and potentially hurtful, but all that is is their way of saying "STOP sniffing back there!" or "NO, that food is MINE". He has never once hurt one of the bucklings he has been housed with since they entered his Buck Barn. In fact, he is a great "daddy"/role model. He will spar with them, but is very gentle. My little over a year old doe is aggressive toward the young doelings, but mostly she will give them pot shots if they encroach on HER eating/investigative space.

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

I don't think its much to nice to have to burn, or band twice...but honestly, I am finding I prefer to band them off.

You may prefer to band them but how do you think the goat would feel? I think I would prefer a once-and-done burning (which lasts a very short time) compared to a lengthy banding process. Seems to me (and I can't say for sure, because I'm not a goat ) that burning, even though it may seem horrible, is over pretty quickly. Banding has got to be painful and lasts a great deal longer than burning. Kids who get disbudded are up and playing minutes after being burned.

I agree. Banding is NOT an alternative to disbudding- it's something you do when the breeder failed to disbud the kids or you've purchased a breed not typically disbudded and have a no-horns policy.

 

[BlackWatchLady]

I don't think its much to nice to have to burn, or band twice...but honestly, I am finding I prefer to band them off.

You may prefer to band them but how do you think the goat would feel? I think I would prefer a once-and-done burning (which lasts a very short time) compared to a lengthy banding process. Seems to me (and I can't say for sure, because I'm not a goat ) that burning, even though it may seem horrible, is over pretty quickly. Banding has got to be painful and lasts a great deal longer than burning. Kids who get disbudded are up and playing minutes after being burned.

I agree. Banding is NOT an alternative to disbudding- it's something you do when the breeder failed to disbud the kids or you've purchased a breed not typically disbudded and have a no-horns policy.

To each there own, goes hand in hand with banding verses burdizzo, verses cutting to wether... I am not seeing any issues in my two who are banded, verses when I bought two who had been burned.

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

To each there own, goes hand in hand with banding verses burdizzo, verses cutting to wether....

Does it? I've never seen banding presented as an alternative to disbudding.

 

[BlackWatchLady]

To each there own, goes hand in hand with banding verses burdizzo, verses cutting to wether....

Does it? I've never seen banding presented as an alternative to disbudding.

It is INDIVIDUAL Choice...

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

Yes, all management is based on individual choices. Some are good choices and some are not. I think that's as simple as it's going to get.

 

[elevan]

Please remember that this is an international forum. What is acceptable in one place may be taboo in another and so on. I'm right, you're wrong posts are against forum Rules .

 

[Livinwright Farm]

I don't think its much to nice to have to burn, or band twice...but honestly, I am finding I prefer to band them off.

You may prefer to band them but how do you think the goat would feel? I think I would prefer a once-and-done burning (which lasts a very short time) compared to a lengthy banding process. Seems to me (and I can't say for sure, because I'm not a goat ) that burning, even though it may seem horrible, is over pretty quickly. Banding has got to be painful and lasts a great deal longer than burning. Kids who get disbudded are up and playing minutes after being burned.

I actually read a book recently that said banding horns is less traumatic than burning, and that for making wethers, that cutting was less traumatic than banding.... the latter seeming odd/nonsensical to me... but that is just me.
I think banding would work the same with horns as it does for making a wether... as long as one uses proper medicine to keep any potential infection away. though