HELP! Need opinion on Disbudding ***PICS***

[KinderKorner]

Is it possible the person you borrow the iron from could do it for you?

While I know I could do it myself I prefer to pay my friend to do it for me. She's great at it, and she'll do any babies I bring her for $20 or in exchange for some eggs or grain.

I hate hearing their little screams and smelling burnt flesh. :/ The $20 is totally worth it for me. Plus I get a reason to go visit her.

 

[jmsim93]

They used to be in the goat business years ago...I could ask them, but not sure what they would say. $20 is a little high for me if Mary Jane has twins or triplets. If she has a single it won't be bad. I will feel more confident if these two don't grow scurs. I just can't tell by the looks of them since I have never done it before.

 

[KinderKorner]

Oh no no no. I meant I pay her $20 total. So I can bring her 20 babies and she'd do them all for $20. Not $20 a piece.

If I only have a couple to do, I'll just give her a couple dozen eggs, or some goat milk soap.

 

[jmsim93]

Oh no no no. I meant I pay her $20 total. So I can bring her 20 babies and she'd do them all for $20. Not $20 a piece.

If I only have a couple to do, I'll just give her a couple dozen eggs, or some goat milk soap.

I would DEFINITELY do it for $20!!! I hated doing that today...I just hope I did it right.

 

[jmsim93]

I was really nervous yesterday because both of the kids were acting very lethargic for most of the day yesterday. The wanted NOTHING to do with me yesterday after "the event". I'm happy to report they are both jumping around happy and friendly today.

How soon will I beable to tell if this was a successful disbudding? How long will it take to know?

 

[Chickenfever]

I think you'll know within a few weeks if you're going to get scurs. BTW, love your babies, I just love lamanchas!

 

[jmsim93]

I think you'll know within a few weeks if you're going to get scurs. BTW, love your babies, I just love lamanchas!

Thanks! I am new to the breed...they are very sweet.

 

[Jenski]

Too bad about the bad vet job, OP! I called our local goat vet to ask about disbudding, and after talking with him a few minutes I was sure I would never let him touch my goats.

I have helped with disbudding on a professional goat dairy farm but have never worked the iron myself. I strongly encourage anyone who has never done it to tag along with an expert for awhile before ever doing this to any of your own goats. There are so many things that can go wrong!

This past week I was very fortunate to find a local, experienced goat person to disbud for me and teach me even more about the process. She was well prepared with a Rhinehart X30, a Hoegger kid box, an ice gel pack, clippers, and good thick gloves. She shaved the kids' heads, tested the iron on a wood block to make sure it was ready, and then did one light touch with the iron on each bud to mark position before doing the burn. She counted out loud, as I have been taught to, so you can keep track and stay calm with an unhappy kid hollering underneath you. In between sides she gently held the gel pack on the kid's head to quickly cool the skull down.

At the Saanen dairy they usually disbudded at around 5 days, if I recall. My new goat mentor told me she won't do them after 14 days, especially bucklings, since you greatly increase the stress and likelihood of scurs.

Don't know if this has already been posted on this forum, but Fiasco Farm has some very helpful info on disbudding here - http://fiascofarm.com/goats/disbudding.htm


Hope that helps. OP, I wish you luck with your little one!