I want to get some small goats but

dproaps · 05-21-2008, 11:10 PM

Hubby says No.

At least not until I can have de-horned ones. Does anyone know about that process of de-horning? Does it hurt the baby goats?

horsemom4 · 05-22-2008, 09:08 AM

If you have the dehorning done right away...soon after their born it's not really a big deal. But if you wait until they have horns it is a big deal and it is painful for them. Ask your vet when it should be done.

Gemni · 05-22-2008, 09:12 AM

Well if you do get some and they have their horns have the vet use Lidacane (sp?) if your concerned about hurting them. The lictacane will numb everything up, but make sure you have a vet do it.

dproaps · 05-22-2008, 01:04 PM

Oh I would be sure to have the vet do it! No way could I do that. Maybe I can just find some already dehorned ones.

Karen Cole · 05-22-2008, 01:21 PM

Basically disbudding is done by placing a hot iron over the horn bud for 20 seconds. If done correctly yes it does hurt but they seem to be bothered more by being held down than by the act of burning the horn. We like to disbudd at a week or less. I do ours in lots all kids less than a week old get disbudded at the same time some may be 24hours old and they re-act less than the older kids.

Larger goats can be disbudded by banding I've not done it nor would I recomend anybody other than and experianced goat owner do it. They can also be done surgically...scooped like cattle but this is very bloody and very painfull. I was told by a vet they cannot be sawed like cattle because the horn is triangular in shape not round and the scull fractures.

We do our own because having 100 kids or so born a year even at $5 each it's not practical to have a vet do them. Also, unless it's a goat vet this is not something they do on a routine basis and many people who use a vet end up with a goat who has scurs...not all but alot. Scurs range from a small horn that curls up to large malformed horns. Your best bet IMO would be to get a young goat from a breeder that has already been done.

Karen

Amrwmblds2 · 05-22-2008, 01:25 PM

We disbud all of our babies as soon as their hornbuds come through (5-7 days usually) We also have some naturally hornless (they are called polled) goats/kids.

APHANutmeg · 05-22-2008, 01:47 PM

I agree with Karen, Get a young goat from a breeder if possible. These are usually healthier than finding one at an auction and better bred. Also if you can get one you can bottle feed. It is a great learning experience for young children and provide them with hours of entertainment

and the goat will be much more personable with you. We have one that was bottle fed and one that wasn't. The one that was bottle fed will follow you around like a dog and come when he is called, also loves to be cuddled and give kisses

Our 2 guys:
Sneezy(the non-bottle fed one)

And Frick(as in Frick and Frack)the bottle fed wonder

I just noticed how weepy Sneezy's eye looks in the pic. She had scratched her eye 2 days before the pic was taken. It is looking better now, thanks to eye meds

.

fuller_meadows · 05-22-2008, 01:58 PM

Maybe check with your local 4-h office and see if there are any goat 4-hers that breed for show, alot of times you can get a good goat that just ins't show quality for a great price and they would probably already have them de-horned since they have to be dehorned to show them. Just an Idea.
Good luck

APHANutmeg · 05-22-2008, 03:12 PM

Sneezy actually came from 4-H. The kids auction off their projects at the end of the year and then use the money earned at the auction for the next year's project. You could always try that.

kanoo32 · 05-22-2008, 03:36 PM

I bought mine from a breeder and asked her to have them disbudded. She keepd hers with horns unless someone requests(and pays for) the procedure. She likes them the way "God made 'em"! Anyway they have no horns and were not traumatized at all, they were 5 days old when they disbudded them.

**Range** · 05-22-2008, 09:44 PM

Why must they be without horns, if I may ask?

I run a herd of horned goats and have had absolutely no problems with them.

dproaps · 05-22-2008, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Range

Why must they be without horns, if I may ask?

I run a herd of horned goats and have had absolutely no problems with them.

We had a older goat and I really loved her, but Dave said he got so tired of untangling her from the fence. Part of our pasture is in wire fencing, not no-climb, so she would poke her head through one of the squares and then couldn't get her head out because of her horns.

She also got stuck on a bucket once. Really. She didn't have the bucket stuck on her head like you would thing. Somehow she was playing with a five-gallon bucket and got the handle over her back. She was stuck there. She could reach the ground with her front feet or her back feet but not all four. Dave was laughing too hard at that one to be mad at her!

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05-21-2008, 11:10 PM
dproaps Coming two Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Dickson, Tennessee Posts: 1,511	I want to get some small goats but Hubby says No. At least not until I can have de-horned ones. Does anyone know about that process of de-horning? Does it hurt the baby goats? __________________ Those who suffer with the suffering are dancing to the rhythm of God.

05-22-2008, 09:08 AM
horsemom4 Weanling Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 238	If you have the dehorning done right away...soon after their born it's not really a big deal. But if you wait until they have horns it is a big deal and it is painful for them. Ask your vet when it should be done.

05-22-2008, 09:12 AM
Gemni Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: East Central, Minnesota Posts: 801	Well if you do get some and they have their horns have the vet use Lidacane (sp?) if your concerned about hurting them. The lictacane will numb everything up, but make sure you have a vet do it. __________________ When life hands you lemons, just add the liquor and you got yourself some lemonade

05-22-2008, 01:04 PM
dproaps Coming two Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Dickson, Tennessee Posts: 1,511	Oh I would be sure to have the vet do it! No way could I do that. Maybe I can just find some already dehorned ones. __________________ Those who suffer with the suffering are dancing to the rhythm of God.

05-22-2008, 01:21 PM
Karen Cole Long Yearling Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,426	Basically disbudding is done by placing a hot iron over the horn bud for 20 seconds. If done correctly yes it does hurt but they seem to be bothered more by being held down than by the act of burning the horn. We like to disbudd at a week or less. I do ours in lots all kids less than a week old get disbudded at the same time some may be 24hours old and they re-act less than the older kids. Larger goats can be disbudded by banding I've not done it nor would I recomend anybody other than and experianced goat owner do it. They can also be done surgically...scooped like cattle but this is very bloody and very painfull. I was told by a vet they cannot be sawed like cattle because the horn is triangular in shape not round and the scull fractures. We do our own because having 100 kids or so born a year even at $5 each it's not practical to have a vet do them. Also, unless it's a goat vet this is not something they do on a routine basis and many people who use a vet end up with a goat who has scurs...not all but alot. Scurs range from a small horn that curls up to large malformed horns. Your best bet IMO would be to get a young goat from a breeder that has already been done. Karen

05-22-2008, 01:25 PM
Amrwmblds2 Long Yearling Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,378	We disbud all of our babies as soon as their hornbuds come through (5-7 days usually) We also have some naturally hornless (they are called polled) goats/kids. __________________ www.NewEnglandWarmbloods.com Breeding and Training Quality Sporthorses

05-22-2008, 01:47 PM
APHANutmeg Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 645	I agree with Karen, Get a young goat from a breeder if possible. These are usually healthier than finding one at an auction and better bred. Also if you can get one you can bottle feed. It is a great learning experience for young children and provide them with hours of entertainment and the goat will be much more personable with you. We have one that was bottle fed and one that wasn't. The one that was bottle fed will follow you around like a dog and come when he is called, also loves to be cuddled and give kisses Our 2 guys: Sneezy(the non-bottle fed one) And Frick(as in Frick and Frack)the bottle fed wonder I just noticed how weepy Sneezy's eye looks in the pic. She had scratched her eye 2 days before the pic was taken. It is looking better now, thanks to eye meds. __________________ Staff to: Sunshine's Bar B Ritz "Nutmeg" Buckskin APHA, and her 4 mini friends: "Mocha, Ginger, Gunther, and Kodi" Last edited by APHANutmeg : 05-22-2008 at 01:57 PM.

05-22-2008, 01:58 PM
fuller_meadows Halter broke Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: kalkaska, Michigan Posts: 169	Maybe check with your local 4-h office and see if there are any goat 4-hers that breed for show, alot of times you can get a good goat that just ins't show quality for a great price and they would probably already have them de-horned since they have to be dehorned to show them. Just an Idea. Good luck __________________ I wasn't dropped on my head as a baby, ...I was thrown across the room and bounced off a wall!!!(Larry the cable Guy)

05-22-2008, 03:12 PM
APHANutmeg Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 645	Sneezy actually came from 4-H. The kids auction off their projects at the end of the year and then use the money earned at the auction for the next year's project. You could always try that. __________________ Staff to: Sunshine's Bar B Ritz "Nutmeg" Buckskin APHA, and her 4 mini friends: "Mocha, Ginger, Gunther, and Kodi"

05-22-2008, 03:36 PM
kanoo32 Started Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 2,423	I bought mine from a breeder and asked her to have them disbudded. She keepd hers with horns unless someone requests(and pays for) the procedure. She likes them the way "God made 'em"! Anyway they have no horns and were not traumatized at all, they were 5 days old when they disbudded them. __________________ Even if your on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there!

05-22-2008, 09:44 PM
Range Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 5,724	Why must they be without horns, if I may ask? I run a herd of horned goats and have had absolutely no problems with them. __________________ If it harms none, do what you will.