dehorning iron question

[Kristi]

Hopefully someday I can offer help instead of always asking for it! TIA

My alpine kids are 10 days old. The two bucklings were born with nubs that are prob a good 1/2 inch tall now, the doeling is just now starting to grow nubs I can feel.

I want to disbud them but am having trouble acquiring the right iron. Ordered an X30 3/8" from Vet Valley, but their choice of shipping method means I'll NEVER get it (grrrr).

Hubby picked up one at the feed store last night, but it's 3/4".....I just now held it (cold) to the boys' horn buds, and it's way too big. For cattle, I'm sure.

If I can't find one today in town that's smaller, can I use this big one, maybe turning it on its side or something? I don't have money to pay for overnight shipping.

I've watched countless youtube vids about disbudding and feel like I can do it...but haven't seen one with this style and/or so big. I don't want to screw it up. I know I'm running out of time.

This is what Hubby brought home:

 

[OneFineAcre]

I've never seen one like that.
Sorry, I can't offer any advice.

 

[hilarie]

I'm not a doctor, nor a veterinarian, nor do I play one on TV.... but I've seen my kids disbudded by my goat guru friend, God bless 'im, a bunch of times now, and I'm pretty sure that's WAY too big. And it's not like they're going to oblige you by standing still while you rotate it. As one who's had to put a nearly-adult goat through a dehorning surgery because his disbudding as a youngster was so badly done he grew dangerously deformed scurs, I'd be very motivated to see that disbudding done right. I get it about the clock ticking; do you know any other goat owners who can lend you one?

 

[Kristi]

Lordy that was stressful!

OK, so I DID find the right one in town today. Yay for hometown stores that carry the right stuff, when the big stores don't!

Bought it, reviewed a few videos, and used it.

I think it went ok. The babies are running around acting normal.

I had a hard time holding them down (don't have a box), but I think I got the copper ring all the way around. But both boys were kinda bloody/oozy afterward...is that ok? First boy was worst - and one of his 'buttons' fell off already. I wasn't able to burn that area after it fell off.

They're both scratching at them w/their back feet. Should I be worried about infection? If so, what can I do w/o going to a feedstore tonight?