Ring Expander
Tool for castrating and docking. Easy to learn and do. Inexpensive, quick and bloodless.
The ring expander stretches the elastic “O” rings and when released, the ring clamps the arteries shut. The tail or scrotum drops off in 7 to 14 days.
Common Uses
Specs
- 8.5" long
- Plated steel
Benefits
How to Use
Premier Tip: When putting rubber "O" rings on your ring expander, turn or twist them on about half way down. When you roll them on, they seem to go all the way down and this makes it harder to get off the expander when banding a lamb or goat.
Precautions
- Though it causes more distress (particularly ram lambs that are both castrated & docked), this lasts less than an hour if the lambs are less than 7 days old (because the nervous system is less developed).
- Rings (all sources) occasionally break so it's wise to check results a week later.
Troubleshooting
- Failing to ensure that both testicles are actually in the scrotum below the ring. This can be tricky with baby lambs and kids because the testicles are small.
- Applying rings before a lamb or kid is 24 hours old, up on its feet, nursing and active. To do so interrupts nursing and predisposes lamb to rapid death from E. coli problems ("watery mouth"). Many wait at least 2 days to apply on twins, triplets and orphans.
- Rubber rings can cause tetanus. Be sure to vaccinate ewes or does with a booster dose prior to parturition.
Listed below are recommended optional components or related items. Your particular situation may require alternative recommendations. Please call and talk to our consultants if there are any questions at 800-282-6631.
-
Docking and Castrating
"O" Rings, orange, bag of 100
Item #703000 -Rubber “O” rings for tail docking lambs and castrating ram-lambs and goat kids. 100 latex rings per package/container.
$2.25 -
Docking and Castrating
"O" Rings, orange, container of 100
Item #703100 -Rubber “O” rings for tail docking lambs and castrating ram-lambs and goat kids. 100 latex rings per package/container.
$4.25 -
Docking and Castrating
lidoband™ Castration Bands, pkg of 40
Item #702100 -Lidocaine infused castration bands for calves, lambs and goat kids. Numbs the area to be removed to reduce stress. For livestock use only.
$89.00 -
Breeding Supplies
OB Gloves, clear, pkg of 10
Item #550900 -Keep arms and hands covered while assisting the births of sheep, goats, cattle and other livestock. Glove covers most up to the shoulder.
$2.75 -
Breeding Supplies
Latex Gloves - Medium (box of 100)
Item #550902 -Use during lambing, handling sick animals or conducting postmortems. Protect your hands from inks and fluids which may stain or cause skin irritation.
$14.00 -
Docking and Castrating
Pine Tar (squeezable bottle), 16 oz
Item #623200 -Cover wounds on sheep, goats, chickens and guardian dogs to repel flies and biting insects. Effective for several days after application.
$16.00 -
Docking and Castrating
Blood Stop Powder, 16 oz
Item #888094 -To slow and stop the bleeding of minor cuts and wounds. For treating excessive bleeding following docking or dehorning.
$10.00 -
Docking and Castrating
Catron® IV, 10 oz spray can
Item #888147 -Used for treating sheep with fly-strike and as a preventative after docking, castrating or ear tagging. 10 oz spray can.
$12.00
Write a Review
You must be logged in to leave a review. Please sign in.
Kathryn S from Missouri
Does a great job! We use not only for banding young buck goats, but for banding any scurs that come up and docking tails when necessary. The tool stretches the bands easily and wide enough for anything we need.
Robert W from Texas
I used this to expand rubber grommets to fit around the ends of spark plug wires to protect the wires as they passed through a pressure baffle on an aircooled engine. The tool worked great. Much better than the alternative of cutting the grommet.
Cecilia R from Ill.
Love it!
Art J from Wisconsin
Solid construction and balance make placing o-rings quick and easy. My wife found the same ease of ring load and placement as I did. A great tool at a reasonable price.
Molly S from New Jersey
The ring expander is fine. My only comment is that the handles are slightly shorter than the previous pair that I bought from you years ago, (which I misplaced). Had to get used to using the tool—which works fine.