How old is too old to band a buck?

[ksnull]

We have 2 NG does, just over a year old. I just spoke today to a woman with a meat goat buck. She doesn't know breed, but it should be fullsize, but this one isn't. He was abandoned by mom at birth, had some problems, and she says he's about the size of of my dwarfs. He's a little over 2 yrs old, didn't get banded as kid because he was so little and she didn't want to traumatize him. She's looking to get rid of him only because he's figuring out how to let the cows out of the pasture (not sure of whole story here). We are *not* looking to breed our does, and if we were, it would be to another NG. However, if he's "pet quality" and would get along with ours, we would consider taking him. But only as a wether. Is this too late? He loves to hang out with their family dogs, so we could possibly put him in with ours. He has horns so could definitely take care of himself with our somewhat spastic lab, unlike our does.

Thoughts, advice? TIA

 

[Roll farms]

Personally, I wouldn't....unless I got him cleared by a vet first.

Stunted growth can be nutritional but it could also have been caused by a high parasite (worms or coccidia) load and he could bring them to your place...and he could have internal damage from them that could shorten his life.

As far as banding him, it's possible if they'll fit in the bander....but you'd have to wait until they were nearly to the point of falling off before you could put him in w/ your does....and if he has buck tendencies (peeing on himself, etc.) he will probably continue to do so after 2 years....which will make him sorta stinky.
If your girls don't have horns, he may pick on them / could hurt them w/ his.

 

[ksnull]

Thanks! I don't even know anything about banding, just know I don't want a stinky buck or any kids. I think we'll pass on this "freebie."