helmstead
Goat Mistress
I'll take my camera out to the barn this morning! Our last disbuddings were at 11 pm, and I forgot to video them...but luckily we just had buck/doe twins so when they get done, I'll video it...
Disbudding goats - How'd I do?
- Thread starter glenolam
- Start date
I'll take my camera out to the barn this morning! Our last disbuddings were at 11 pm, and I forgot to video them...but luckily we just had buck/doe twins so when they get done, I'll video it...
helmstead
Goat Mistress
Sometimes the black marks are just soot from the iron, but sometimes it indicates skin that didn't get cauterized enough.. My experience has been that if you get lots of black like that and can't quite get the copper no matter how many times you hit it, you're not letting your iron get hot enough..
The hotter, the better! Let that baby GLOW. Don't take the edge off of it on a piece of wood right before hitting the baby goat, either...let it get so hot you're afraid you're going to go straight thru to the brain and then let'er rip. That's where your best disbudding will happen.
Thing is, though...you did it! It's a horrific process that nobody wants to endure, and you did it! Was it perfect?...who knows...pictures can be misleading, and ultimately only time will tell. Even if it wasn't absolutely perfect, big deal. Who cares.. Scurs happen, yanno?
Still proud of ya.
- Thread starter
- #34
glenolam
Loving the herd life
Thanks, CM! I appreciate you pointing out that stuff on the pictures.
FWIW, I let the iron heat up for about 45 min prior to disbudding. The brown doeling was first - I can assure you the iron was glowing red before I did her. I don't recall if I did the wood test or not; I don't think so because I remember looking at it saying "Geez....that's gotta be hot..."
(ETA) I also waited long in between sides and in between doelings. I know I can't just go from side to side, kid to kid without the iron getting tired and cold so I was sure to leave some 'warm up' time in between.
If I read your notes correctly, then the left side of the brown doeling's picture (her right horn bud) is how both sides should look. Is that right?
Last night I inspected the girls again and it appears as though the burns are starting to "cap off" for lack of a better term. I can feel the scabs starting to lift off in a circle type pattern. Both scabs on both girls seem to be lifting off in circles, BTW. I just don't know what I should be looking for on the outside of the circles or even under the scab as far as scurs.
Now, I am worried about the right side of the white-eared doeling where I got mostly hair due to her jolting.
It's been 2 weeks since I disbudded them - if I have any worries about them is it too late to hit them again or should I just sit tight and wait and see if they get scurs? I'd hate to just leave them be and really don't mind disbudding them again, but also realize I shouldn't burn them again unless it's absolutely necessary.
I have a local vet I could bring them to - maybe I'll stop on by with the girls and see what they think...
FWIW, I let the iron heat up for about 45 min prior to disbudding. The brown doeling was first - I can assure you the iron was glowing red before I did her. I don't recall if I did the wood test or not; I don't think so because I remember looking at it saying "Geez....that's gotta be hot..."
(ETA) I also waited long in between sides and in between doelings. I know I can't just go from side to side, kid to kid without the iron getting tired and cold so I was sure to leave some 'warm up' time in between.
If I read your notes correctly, then the left side of the brown doeling's picture (her right horn bud) is how both sides should look. Is that right?
Last night I inspected the girls again and it appears as though the burns are starting to "cap off" for lack of a better term. I can feel the scabs starting to lift off in a circle type pattern. Both scabs on both girls seem to be lifting off in circles, BTW. I just don't know what I should be looking for on the outside of the circles or even under the scab as far as scurs.
Now, I am worried about the right side of the white-eared doeling where I got mostly hair due to her jolting.
It's been 2 weeks since I disbudded them - if I have any worries about them is it too late to hit them again or should I just sit tight and wait and see if they get scurs? I'd hate to just leave them be and really don't mind disbudding them again, but also realize I shouldn't burn them again unless it's absolutely necessary.
I have a local vet I could bring them to - maybe I'll stop on by with the girls and see what they think...
freemotion
Self Sufficient Queen
The link didn't work for me. Is it just me? Can't wait for the video. I haven't done any disbudding but I think about it all the time....helmstead said:
I like horns on my goats but know that most people don't and I'll be selling all kids this year. Trying to get brave.
helmstead
Goat Mistress
My thread has been removed. I will happily discuss disbudding via PM but due to some of the membership here calling open season on me, will no longer be posting about it. 
- Thread starter
- #37
glenolam
Loving the herd life
Not that I'm a pro, free, and definitely can't guarantee anything but I'll gladly help you just to get the experience!!! I have an X30 ready and willing to go! I do understand, though, that you may want to have someone more capapble handle this if your plan is to sell them to people who are expecting no scurs, but keep it in mind.
freemotion
Self Sufficient Queen
Thanks, glenolam! I'll seriously consider it. We have time, as my does were bred late.
OK, everyone, PM helmstead to petition her to post and not let the inmates run the asylum! Post a tutorial and then get the thread locked right away so this doesn't happen again. I want a video link, too.
OK, everyone, PM helmstead to petition her to post and not let the inmates run the asylum! Post a tutorial and then get the thread locked right away so this doesn't happen again. I want a video link, too.
helmstead
Goat Mistress
Well, now that I've seen the sister to this thread over on Sufficient Self...I'm not terribly motivated to be of any further assistance. Quite rude. So...you ask our opinions here, and then run over to another board and make fun of us? Nice.
I have never said the method I employ is the only way to disbud, but it does work - and well. I am done with this subject.
I have never said the method I employ is the only way to disbud, but it does work - and well. I am done with this subject.
