Castrating, Docking and Disbudding

Castrating (removing the testicles) and docking (shortening the tail) are routine livestock management practices performed on lambs and goat kids.

Wether lambs are often easier to manage than intact males. Plus the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy is eliminated.

Docking improves health and hygiene of the animal by reducing the risk of fly-strike and also aids in early detection of birthing and milking problems. Some lamb buyers will discriminate against tailed lambs, while others may prefer undocked lambs.

Castration and docking is painful for the animal, but the pain is generally short-lived. Producers should watch their animals closely for infection or fly infestation. Maintaining a high standard of animal welfare should be top-of-mind when castrating, docking and disbudding.

Common Methods of Docking and Castrating Lambs & Goat Kids

Emasculatome

Crushes the spermatic cords. Does not cut skin of scrotum. Thus no blood and less risk of fly-strike. Testicles dry up; scrotum shrinks within 21 days.

Rubber “O” Rings (Bands)

An expander stretches the ring(s) open to allow sliding it over a tail or scrotum. When released the ring(s) squeezes the arteries shut. Tail and/or scrotum will drop off in 7 to 14 days.

Side Crusher

Unique design allows side access to scrotum to crush spermatic cord—and thus much better vision and access for smaller lambs/kids.

Double Crush Tail Docker

Crushes the arteries before severing them cleanly—and so minimizes risk of serious bleeding. Works on lambs up to 70 days of age.

Dehorning (Disbudding)

Disbudding (removing horn spurs) prevents the horns from growing. Horned goats, sheep and cattle may cause injury to themselves or others. They often get their heads stuck in feeders and fences, so livestock producers may choose to disbud the animal before horns have fully developed. A common method of disbudding is with an electric dehorning iron—generally 3 to 7 days after birth.