Hi new goat owner here. Just rescued two a mom and baby doe 12 days old. Mamma emaciated! So sad. I have questions.

[AmyC]

Debud or not? Just pets not breeding or milking

 

[Ridgetop]

Definitely disbud. Horns can be dangerous to small children (they are right at face height) and get caught in fences and feeders. Goats with horns are also more prone to fight and knock down fences.

 

[sandy10m]

what is the age to disbud horns? I have 2 lambs, 2 days old, and don't want to miss the window. I need to dehorn because all the ram lambs break each others' horns, and there is blood everywhere, like a horror flick. I had to decide which way was more mean to them. I decided that bleeding all over the place was worse.

UPDATE: I have the dehorning iron, but I just realized that you can use the castration bands on the horns. It takes longer, but it is a lot less traumatizing for the sheep and the farmer. So never mind. I found a good quality castration kit with the stretcher and bands, and this is the way to go, if any of the ram lambs develop horns.

 

[Mini Horses]

@frustratedearthmother, @Ridgetop

Help please

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I try to disbud male kids by 10 days. I know people who go a little longer... The goat tip is what I use.

I know nothing about sheep! I do goats only...