BANDING AND CASTRATING KIDS

CASTRATING BUCK KIDS

Buck kids that will not be used for breeding should be castrated. Castrated kids will not pass a "goaty" flavor to the meat and will not breed does accidentally. Kids should be castrated at less than fourteen days of age as castration becomes more traumatic with age. Two very efficient , and low cost methods are elastration and the knife.

Author: Tim McKinney
             4-H Extension Specialist

ELASTRATION

Elastration involves the use of a special instrument called the elastrator, and a special rubber band sometimes referred to as a "donut". In elastration, the "donut" is placed over the prongs of the elastrator. When the handles of the elastrator are squeezed together, the "donut" is expanded.

The testicles of the kid are then placed through the expanded hole of the "donut". (Care must be taken to insure that both testicles are through the donut's hole.) When both testicles are through the hole, the elastrators can be released, and the donut slipped off the prongs. The "donut" will return to it's original shape cutting off the blood flow to the testicles. This will cause the testicles to dry up and fall off in 1 to 2 weeks. Check daily to be sure that the "donut" is still around the neck of the scrotum, (testicle sack), and for any signs of infection. This method causes some stress to the animal due to the pain and discomfort experienced by the constricting band on the scrotum.

Author: Tim McKinney
             4-H Extension Specialist

KNIFE

Use of the knife to castrated buck kids is often referred to as "cutting". To cut a buck kid you will need a sharp knife, or a one sided razor blade, a bucket of warm water with 10% disinfectant added, and, (in warm weather) a fly control spray that is designed to be sprayed on open wounds. The kid should be held in an upright position in the lap of one person while another person does the cutting. Wash the scrotum thoroughly with water and disinfecting solution, and disinfect your hands. Push both testicles up into the belly cavity, and cut the lower 1/3 of the scrotum off. Manipulate each testes separately to the open end of the scrotum. It may be necessary to push on the abdomen if a testicle has been pulled into the abdomen. With the knife, scrape, not cut the spermatic cord until it is severed from the body of the kid. This causes a ragged cut that will stop bleeding faster than a clean cut. Repeat the above procedure for the other testicle. Some people prefer to slit the white membrane that covers the testicle. Then the testicle can be popped free from the membrane. This allows them to see the artery to be severed. When using this method the artery should be scraped not cleanly cut. Spray the wound with the fly control spray, (in warm weather). Do not pack the wound because proper drainage will help prevent infection. Inject the kid with tetanus antitoxin to provide the short term protection. If long term immunity against tetanus is desired, tetanus toxoid injections should be given at this time in addition to the tetanus antitoxin injection (always read the label and follow directions). Place the kid in a clean draft free pen. Check for excessive bleeding during the next 24 hours. Check daily for the next week for signs of infection or swelling. The wound should heal in one or two weeks.

Author: Tim McKinney
             4-H Extension Specialist

Banding big kids

Using a Burdizzo.  Tim explained it well. I would like to add that if you pull the sack through the band, and squirt the first testicle through, then the second one, it works quite well. I have banded bucks with very large testicles.  I have held them between my legs with the rear end forward, and pulled the testicles out in front and banded them. Keep the rear legs off of the ground.

 TO use a Burdizzo: I usually have someone else restrain the buck for me on his side. Grasp the testicular sack, and pull the cord over to one side of the neck of the sack, up against the edge of the skin on that  side. Hold the cord there, and put the Burdizzo over only the edge of the neck of the testicular sack. Check to be sure the cord is still in place, then close the clamp completely. It only takes a second to crush the cord, and the blood supply. Before you release that side; check again, to be sure that the cord is inside the clamp. Release the clamp, and do the other side the same way. If you don't feel the cord in the crushed part, you have not done the job, and must try again. Stay below the body at least 2-3" if possible, when you are clamping the  area. You only have to clamp above the testicles. Don't clamp the entire sack, or it turns black and dies. You don't want to do that, but only to kill the testicles inside, by stopping blood flow.

I band them at 12 weeks or 50 lbs. I wait 5-7 days and cut off the dead testicles with a pair of sharp kitchen shears. Spray with Wound Kote, and give 5cc SQ of Penicillin. Check the wound every couple of days, and re spray, and give penicillin as necessary.

Author: Coni Ross