Testicles?

[babsbag]

Be careful about wanting to milk...it is addictive 8 years ago I bought 3 does and said "I can breed them and milk, if I like I can continue. If I don't I won't breed again and they can just be weed eaters." Fast forward...I have 40 goats and I am building a dairy. Yes, an addict for sure. I also have countless number of chickens, I don't even count anymore.

As far as cutting vs. banding...it seems to be a regional thing. Everyone I know around here bands their boys, and I know a lot of goat breeders out here. I have no experience with cutting but that may be your only choice with a retained testicle. I have banded many a kid and never had a problem with infection, but I always make sure they have had their tetanus shots before I band just to be sure. I even do it in the summer and never had a problem with flies either. Personally I couldn't cut them, and I'm sure not paying a vet to do them when I sell them for $50...not cost effective. Not saying it isn't better or quicker, just not something I am not willing to do at home.

 

[norseofcourse]

Hope the vet is good with goats, and all goes well with your little guy.

Most people around here band, too - but like SBC, I don't care to. Instead, I use a bloodless castrator (aka Burdizzo). It's quick and easy. Fias Co. Farm has a page with good information about it. The drawback is the piece of equipment is pricey (I got mine from Premier1), but taken care of it will last a lifetime, so it makes more sense for someone continuing to breed.

There is always more to learn with livestock, no matter how long you have them

 

[Rescuechick76]

Be careful about wanting to milk...it is addictive 8 years ago I bought 3 does and said "I can breed them and milk, if I like I can continue. If I don't I won't breed again and they can just be weed eaters." Fast forward...I have 40 goats and I am building a dairy. Yes, an addict for sure. I also have countless number of chickens, I don't even count anymore.

As far as cutting vs. banding...it seems to be a regional thing. Everyone I know around here bands their boys, and I know a lot of goat breeders out here. I have no experience with cutting but that may be your only choice with a retained testicle. I have banded many a kid and never had a problem with infection, but I always make sure they have had their tetanus shots before I band just to be sure. I even do it in the summer and never had a problem with flies either. Personally I couldn't cut them, and I'm sure not paying a vet to do them when I sell them for $50...not cost effective. Not saying it isn't better or quicker, just not something I am willing to do at home.

Hahaha! Yes, they are addictive. I already want more
As for banding/cutting we were actually referring to horns. The vet will charge $50 to surgically remove the horns. But I was told by somebody else to put bands on them. I think I'll go the cutting route though. The woman I got him from did band his testicles (hopefully), but like I said I swear I feel testicles. So I think since his scrotum is gone, cutting would be the only option? I'm not sure. I paid $75 for him and he wasn't disbudded, vaccinated, and possibly not banded right
But I've learned lots now so next time hopefully I'll be more prepared.

 

[Rescuechick76]

Hope the vet is good with goats, and all goes well with your little guy.

Most people around here band, too - but like SBC, I don't care to. Instead, I use a bloodless castrator (aka Burdizzo). It's quick and easy. Fias Co. Farm has a page with good information about it. The drawback is the piece of equipment is pricey (I got mine from Premier1), but taken care of it will last a lifetime, so it makes more sense for someone continuing to breed.

There is always more to learn with livestock, no matter how long you have them

Thanks! Like I told babsbag we were actually talking about horns. We went from testicles to horns! Lol!!

 

[alsea1]

Sounds like your jump into the goat world was a bit bumpy.
It takes a bit of time to learn all the stuff about care and feeding of goats.
This forum helps tons. Seems there is always someone on it that has gone thru what you are with your animals and can offer great knowledge and personal exp.

Here is my take on your points of concern:
Testicle problem. If she failed to get the testicles when she banded him and they are stuck up inside his abdomen then this will be a surgical procedure. With all the risks of surgery.

If you leave him like he is he will likely be fine. I'm guessing here but since the testes are still present he will produce the right hormones and his urinary system will continue to develop as it was intended. Thus you won't have to worry so much about urinary calculi developing.
However he will also be a boy goat with all the fun of that but not likely be able to be a buck where it counts. The body heat in the abdominal area where the testes are likely at right now will kill off the sperm.

As for the horn issue.
Yes a vet can remove them, but it is not a simple procedure. Those horns are a part of his skull now.
In my opinion this would be a cruel thing to do to him now that the horns are well established.
Placing bands on the horns is also not a good idea. You may end up with a pretty bad infection with this method. Its possible to kill just the outer protective portion of the horn and it falls off only to leave exposed sensitive nubs that are in bad shape but not dead either. Goat will be in some pain and really need extensive doctoring.
Bands do not do the job quickly so it takes along time .

Now that we have access to all these wonderful vaccines don't forget to vaccinate.
Learn to do fecal exams so you can minimize using wormers and or using the right ones.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[babsbag]

You were talking about horns ??? But I know the @Southern by choice does cut when wethering so that is how I made the connection. She tells me it is quick and easy.

About those horns. I agree that it might be cruel at this age, I have done it. But I also agree that it is necessary if he is going to be a lifelong member on your farm. It is surgery and it can be pretty nasty, there will be an opening into the sinus cavity until it heals but it is still doable if you find the right vet. Hard choice.

I have also seen goats with tennis balls taped to the end of their horns and also a piece of PVC pipe taped across the horns and extending out the sides so that the can't get caught in feeders and fences.

 

[Southern by choice]

At his age best to do it now
(Horns)
Once he is a big boy it will be much more difficult and the holes will be huge
I have Millie story under one of my articles
I'm on a phone and don't know how to pull it up

 

[Southern by choice]

Here is an article about horns- I need to update
http://www.backyardherds.com/resources/horns-dis-bud-polled.31/

At the bottom of the article it tells Millie's story ( I think the link starts on page 2 but you can go back and read the dilemma from the start)
http://www.backyardherds.com/threads/de-horned-2yr-old-doe-week-3-update.28257/page-2#post-358403

 

[Rescuechick76]

You were talking about horns ??? But I know the @Southern by choice does cut when wethering so that is how I made the connection. She tells me it is quick and easy.

About those horns. I agree that it might be cruel at this age, I have done it. But I also agree that it is necessary if he is going to be a lifelong member on your farm. It is surgery and it can be pretty nasty, there will be an opening into the sinus cavity until it heals but it is still doable if you find the right vet. Hard choice.

I have also seen goats with tennis balls taped to the end of their horns and also a piece of PVC pipe taped across the horns and extending out the sides so that the can't get caught in feeders and fences.

Maybe we were talking about two different things at the time...I don't know! Lol!! But either way I have both issues to deal with
I've thought about leaving his horns, but the other one doesn't have any and I've heard so many stories about them getting stuck. I would be fine leaving them, but I worry they'll be a problem when he's bigger and I'd hate to do it then. You've done it? Would you do it again if you were in my position? And sorry if I'm confusing everyone

 

[Rescuechick76]

Sounds like your jump into the goat world was a bit bumpy.
It takes a bit of time to learn all the stuff about care and feeding of goats.
This forum helps tons. Seems there is always someone on it that has gone thru what you are with your animals and can offer great knowledge and personal exp.

Here is my take on your points of concern:
Testicle problem. If she failed to get the testicles when she banded him and they are stuck up inside his abdomen then this will be a surgical procedure. With all the risks of surgery.

If you leave him like he is he will likely be fine. I'm guessing here but since the testes are still present he will produce the right hormones and his urinary system will continue to develop as it was intended. Thus you won't have to worry so much about urinary calculi developing.
However he will also be a boy goat with all the fun of that but not likely be able to be a buck where it counts. The body heat in the abdominal area where the testes are likely at right now will kill off the sperm.

As for the horn issue.
Yes a vet can remove them, but it is not a simple procedure. Those horns are a part of his skull now.
In my opinion this would be a cruel thing to do to him now that the horns are well established.
Placing bands on the horns is also not a good idea. You may end up with a pretty bad infection with this method. Its possible to kill just the outer protective portion of the horn and it falls off only to leave exposed sensitive nubs that are in bad shape but not dead either. Goat will be in some pain and really need extensive doctoring.
Bands do not do the job quickly so it takes along time .

Now that we have access to all these wonderful vaccines don't forget to vaccinate.
Learn to do fecal exams so you can minimize using wormers and or using the right ones.

Good luck and have fun.

I agree. That's the one good thing is it'll lower his risk for calculi. Hopefully :/ But I definitely don't want buck behavior. They are pets. So I don't need him for that purpose. I also agree with it being cruel to do his horns now. I'm really upset that the lady didn't tell me more. I told her over and over I was new to this. I asked lots of questions, but I thought I'd have more time for them to come through. I guess it was my fault to for not learning more before I went to get them. But I was so excited when hubby finally said yes, I figured I could learn more as they grew. But now I feel like the poor boy is gonna have to go through nasty stuff cause of it. I absolutely love him! I never thought you could bond with a goat like that. Lol! As for vaccinating, I did that on my own. I work at our humane society and I was able to order vaccine through our supplier. Also did a fecal, but should probably run another. I have some decisions to make, but I'm so glad I'm getting advice from you all!