Docking

[Raiquee]

Hey guys, I know this post is old but rather than reposting I figured I'd just bring this back to the top.

Lucky me to view your post of your baby lambs before, as I was like "Does that lamb have a tail?!" and then lo and behold, I found this thread!

So, with the band method, all you do is place the band on? I guess I was confused because it said "open wound" but i'm guessing that relates to after the tail has the band on it for awhile?

How long does it take the tail to fall off? Do I have to retrieve the tail when it does fall off? lau ) And would it benefit to shave the tail a bit, so the band touches skin? Or does it not matter?

I am not a sheep owner yet, but thinking of it next year. Good to know these things now!

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Yes, you place the band on, and the band does the work. You should check it every so often because the band does create an open wound as it cuts through the tail. Most times it's not a problem, but in the summer flies can cause irritation and nastiness.

It usually takes a couple of weeks for the tail to fall off. You can retrieve it if you want, or you can just let it stay out in the field (or wherever it fell). You don't have to clip the tail, because the band is strong enough to go through the wool on a lamb.

 

[Raiquee]

Thanks! How much (general) does the band gun thingy and bands cost? vs the electro cutter?

I won't get to go to my TSC or FF for awhile, so just thought i'd ask.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

The elastrator runs about $18 and the bag of bands costs a couple bucks. I haven't priced the other types lately, sorry!

 

[cheraboo]

Thanks so much for posting not only instructions but good pics of your instructions. We are expecting our first lambs here within the week I think. Docking and castrating have really had me worried. I feel much more confident about doing it now. Actually, I have RA so much kids are going to have to do it. I'm hoping we won't have to worry about castration. For some reason my son just shudders when I mention it *lol*. He wants to show the lambs at fair in August but I'm not sure if they will be old enough. I'm thinking that a poster about tail docking and castration (along with pics) would make for an interesting still project though ... sorry, getting off on a tangent ...

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Congrats on your lambs coming (soon)! Hmm...your lambs will be pretty small when fair rolls around. They might not be ready for any market classes, but you could still probably do fitting and showing and/or breeding classes! Make sure to post pictures when they're here!

And don't worry about docking and castrating, it's very easy!

 

[emilypaonia]

wow, this blog is great - very informative.

i just bought some lambs from a friend of mine who does not dock tails. he raises fresians crossed with polypay, so he said that since the tail is less wooly and more of a rat tail he does not dock. i think he does not dock because the idea of it makes him a little queasy.

the lambs i bought from him are almost 3 months old. they are females that i am going to keep for breeding. most of them have these rat tails that do not have much wool on them, but 1 or 2 of them have some seriously bushy tails.

what to do?

is it too late to dock? i have the bands and the tool for castrating, so i could do it, but i just don't know if i should just leave it be at this point. the lambs are pretty big.

thanks for your help!

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Well, it's really up to you. 3 months is pretty big, but it may be easier to do it now than have a problem with tails for years to come. If you do it now, be sure to give them a tetanus anti-toxin vaccine (not the CD/T). You'll also need to follow up in a week or two with the regular CD/T vaccine. You'll also need to watch and make sure the flies don't bother the tails.

 

[Natisha]

This is interesting. What kind of problems can happen from not docking? I have a lamb that could have had problems from severely short docking. I don't raise sheep but have 2 as pets.
Thank you.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Pretty much the only problem that can come from not docking is fly strike. Here's an excerpt from http://www.sheep101.info/201/diseasesa-z.htmlSheep 201:

Fly Strike
(blowflies, wool maggots, fleece worms, myiasis)
Fly strike is the infestation of the flesh of living sheep by blowfly maggots. Of all domestic animals, sheep are most often affected because of their wool, as particularly dirty wool attracts blowflies. Blowfly populations are greatest during the summer months.

Docking, shearing, and removal of dags (wool contaminated with feces) will help to prevent flystrike. Insecticides are another control measure. Hair sheep are less susceptible to fly strike due to their absence of wool. Blowflies are also attracted to wounds, foot rot, weeping eyes, or sweat around the base of the horns of rams.