So, you've decided to clamp your bucklings, great! Now, what do you look for? How do you tell if your kids are uncomfortable? How do you know it worked?
Having quite a few people ask us these same questions. We are hoping to have a video for you by the end of August showing the
procedure, but until then, let's share our experiences with those same questions.
Having quite a few people ask us these same questions. We are hoping to have a video for you by the end of August showing the
procedure, but until then, let's share our experiences with those same questions.
How do we know if they are uncomfortable or in pain?
We've found that though uncomfortable for the buckling, it seems to be far less traumatic then surgical castration or banding. So how did we know?
With surgical castration our buckling had openings in the scrotum for a week until they healed. He was not his usual playful self, wanting to lay down away from the other kids, and slept more. His temperature went up to 103 and remained there for four days. Other signs of his discomfort with surgical castration, he stamped his feet far more, looked back towards his rump often, and with normal kid pushing and shoving - made him back off from the rough housing. These symptoms slowly decreased over a week and a half. Our buckling would not easily allow examination of his scrotum for a good 10 days.
With clamping our bucklings wanted to lay down more often, away from the other kids. They still ate with their normal gusto, but for the first 24 hours, our boys kept stamping their hooves, raising their hind legs and looking back at their rump. After the
initial 24 hours, they were back running and jumping. They allowed a scrotal physical exam within 3 days without showing any
signs of discomfort, though they were not so trusting yet.
Though we have never banded, we have spoken with many who
have. Comments such as: 'He did this cute little dance for two weeks!'; 'He just didn't eat like normal for over a week, and we don't know why?'; and 'Atleast he isn't being pushy this month.'; 'He keeps having a high temp, what do I do?' often these
statements showed that their bucklings did experience discomfort, but in goat terms, not human terms. We find any signs of behavior 'out of character' can give you cues about the health of your herd.
With clamping, inflammation is a concern for the first 24
hours. Inflammation will usually be associated with pain or is a good indicator of pain. Thirty minutes prior to clamping, we provided a dose of homeopathic Arinca 6X and Chamomilla 6X. After the clamping, we choose plain aspirin for any pain or swelling. One crushed baby (81 mg) aspirin was given three times a day for the first 24 hours. After that we monitored his temperature, running between 100.0 and 102.2, for the next few
days. With the typical head butting at day 3, occasionally one or the other were butted in the rump without crying or showing any signs of pain. We did not have to provide any aspirin after the initial 24 hours.
With surgical castration our buckling had openings in the scrotum for a week until they healed. He was not his usual playful self, wanting to lay down away from the other kids, and slept more. His temperature went up to 103 and remained there for four days. Other signs of his discomfort with surgical castration, he stamped his feet far more, looked back towards his rump often, and with normal kid pushing and shoving - made him back off from the rough housing. These symptoms slowly decreased over a week and a half. Our buckling would not easily allow examination of his scrotum for a good 10 days.
With clamping our bucklings wanted to lay down more often, away from the other kids. They still ate with their normal gusto, but for the first 24 hours, our boys kept stamping their hooves, raising their hind legs and looking back at their rump. After the
initial 24 hours, they were back running and jumping. They allowed a scrotal physical exam within 3 days without showing any
signs of discomfort, though they were not so trusting yet.
Though we have never banded, we have spoken with many who
have. Comments such as: 'He did this cute little dance for two weeks!'; 'He just didn't eat like normal for over a week, and we don't know why?'; and 'Atleast he isn't being pushy this month.'; 'He keeps having a high temp, what do I do?' often these
statements showed that their bucklings did experience discomfort, but in goat terms, not human terms. We find any signs of behavior 'out of character' can give you cues about the health of your herd.
With clamping, inflammation is a concern for the first 24
hours. Inflammation will usually be associated with pain or is a good indicator of pain. Thirty minutes prior to clamping, we provided a dose of homeopathic Arinca 6X and Chamomilla 6X. After the clamping, we choose plain aspirin for any pain or swelling. One crushed baby (81 mg) aspirin was given three times a day for the first 24 hours. After that we monitored his temperature, running between 100.0 and 102.2, for the next few
days. With the typical head butting at day 3, occasionally one or the other were butted in the rump without crying or showing any signs of pain. We did not have to provide any aspirin after the initial 24 hours.
How do we know it worked?
We choose to clamp our bucklings at 4 weeks of age, (now we wait until they are 8-12 weeks of age). At day 5 we began examining his testicles to see if the clamping did what we needed it to do. We found his testicles to be slightly smaller. With each passing week, we could feel the spermatic cord thinning and the testicles became smaller and harder. We knew it worked, but continued to monitor him for the next 4-6 weeks.
Below is a picture of two 14 week old bucklings: one intact and one wethered. You can see the difference!
Below is a picture of two 14 week old bucklings: one intact and one wethered. You can see the difference!
At 14 weeks of age, we feel very small testicles about the size of a grape. We can barely feel any spermatic cords. The atrophied testies are closer to the body, not down lower as with our intact
buckling. Will they totally disappear? No, they will always
have the atrophied testicles and a very small scrotal sac. The wonderful thing we found..........they heal very quickly, without any risk of infection, less pain for them, and they still get to keep 'their boys'.
So, how do I know which method was used?
So, if you purchase a wethered buck and feel testicles, note how small they are, or how small the scrotal sac is. Most likely the castration was done with the clamp, or Burdizzo. You can call the seller to see what castration method they used. If surgical castration was used there should be no testicles, but there will be a small (EMPTY) scrotal sac. If banding was used, there should be no testicles or scrotum. Don't be shy about asking the seller what method they use. The more you know, the better your herd will be!
Sharing is a gift......let's keep it up!
Brenda Lee
buckling. Will they totally disappear? No, they will always
have the atrophied testicles and a very small scrotal sac. The wonderful thing we found..........they heal very quickly, without any risk of infection, less pain for them, and they still get to keep 'their boys'.
So, how do I know which method was used?
So, if you purchase a wethered buck and feel testicles, note how small they are, or how small the scrotal sac is. Most likely the castration was done with the clamp, or Burdizzo. You can call the seller to see what castration method they used. If surgical castration was used there should be no testicles, but there will be a small (EMPTY) scrotal sac. If banding was used, there should be no testicles or scrotum. Don't be shy about asking the seller what method they use. The more you know, the better your herd will be!
Sharing is a gift......let's keep it up!
Brenda Lee
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