which castration method?

[Pipit]

We need to wether our buckling and we want to do it in the most painfree way possible. The vet wants $205. to surgically castrate him. The breeder said she'd band him for free. I just wonder if banding is the best way to go, as far as the buckling is concerned. It seems like it would be, at the very least, awfully uncomfortable for a long time. How about using an emasculator? Has anyone had experience with those? These are our first goats and I want to do the right thing. What should we do?:/

 

[helmstead]

We band. It's really no big deal. Most kids are over it in 6 hrs. Some carry on for a couple days - but they're the minority. The area goes completely numb due to lack of blood supply.

 

[Griffin's Ark]

I have to agree with Kate, banding is not bad it is uncomfortable only for a few minutes then they loose feeling and eventually the sack falls off. Doing it in the summer will require lots of attention though. Keep the flys away! I use blue spray and fly predators.
'
Chris

 

[norcal]

There is also a thread here about the age of the kid. We had ours done - one at 2wks and the other at 5 days. The seller did it for us. I had no clue that it wasn't recommended until later in their little lives. Oh well, now I know better.

 

[Pipit]

Yeah, that was me. I was wondering because Nick seems very mature for his 5 weeks. His testicles have descended and he's mounting everything in sight.

I suppose it will be ok to band. I read on Fias Co goat site that it's inhumane. I don't want the little guy to hurt too much. He's such a dear.

When they're banded, do they try to rub or pull on the scrotum? He was constantly scratching the scabs from debudding. He's very clever. He figures things out and even moves things around in his pen so he can jump up and reach things.

 

[helmstead]

While Fiascos website is good reading for some stuff, the other stuff is crap. No one website has ALL the answers.

LOL My Nigi bucklings are usually mounting littermates within the 1st week - normal!

The day they're done, they'll sit down and check the band out as if to say "what the HECK has happened here!?"...but they cannot get the band off, no worries.

 

[mully]

Banding is painless only uncomfortable for a short while ..Save your vet money for something you can not do. This is easy and dome all the time. Just dress the area once the sack falls off to help it heal and keep flies away.

 

[norcal]

When do they fall off? Our little guys were banded 25 days ago. They have shriveled, but are still there.

 

[kstaven]

Banding works well and they are over the trauma in minutes.

$205.00 ???? Might I suggest you find another vet to compare prices with. I have lived in two states and three provinces and never had a vet charge more than $60.00.

 

[lilhill]

We band also and have never had any problems. It depends on when the testicles fall off, but they will. Some just take longer than others. We try to band in the late evening and the boys are usually up to their normal activities the next day. Very easy.