Saturday, April 9, 2016:
Since I am doing the disbudding job myself this year, I am choosing to disbud based on the appearance of the horn nub and not the age of the kid or availability of the vet. In general, the horns of bucklings develop faster than the horns of doelings. I personally think the development of the horn can also depend on the kids' sire's genetics. Edna and Elly May's bucklings were both born with well-developed horn nubs, while Charlotte's kids (whose sire is different from the other kids) have horn buds that are barely able to be felt.
At about 36 hours old, Howdy's horn nubs felt ready. I decided I should probably disbud him then. I shaved around the horn nubs, but I couldn't see the little "ridges" that grow toward the nose. Then I started to second-guess if he was too little. I looked up some information in my goat reference books and decided it couldn't hurt to wait a day if I felt it was too early. So I put him back in the goat pen...
Saturday morning I knew I couldn't wait another day. He was now about 2 1/2 days old and a lot stronger than the day before. I held him between my legs and he dejectedly put his chin on the ground. Poor goat!
I felt much more confident this time. And much more patient. I placed the iron on his little head for short amounts of time, rotating the pressure around the nub. Once it was amber-colored around the horn, I burned off the "cap" of the horn. During the whole process I took my time and remembered to breathe. Time will tell if he develops scurs, but I felt glad it was over!
Nice rings around the horns...
All done!
Howdy didn't seem bothered after the disbudding but happily played in the goat pen as if nothing had happened!
Such cute little blessings. So proud of your disbudding job, that's not one for the squeamish or impatient. Knowing it could be painful would be the hardest part. I'm sharing your blog with a friend whose always wanted goats...here's hoping :). Enjoy life!
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