Presentation for 2020 Backyard Farming Series

1. Tubing | Docking | Castrating | Disbudding | Identifying
SUSAN SCHOENIAN
Sheep & Goat Specialist
University of Maryland Extension
sschoen@umd.edu | sheepandgoat.com | wormx.info
Management Practices
for Lambs and Kids

2. Stuff we might do to
young lambs/kids
1. Tubing
2. Docking
3. Castrating
4. Disbudding
5. Identifying
• Should you do it?
• When should you do it?
• How do you do it?

3. Tubing
Means of providing nutrition to an animal through a stomach tube.

4. Which lambs/kids need
nutritional support?
• Those whose moms died or are
unavailable for nursing.
• Those whose moms don’t have milk or
enough milk, usually a result of mastitis
(udder infection) or large litters.
• Small ones who can’t compete with their
siblings to get enough milk.
• Those whose moms reject them.
• Those you separate so you can milk their
dams.
• Those you separate for disease
management (e.g. goats: CAE).
• Those purchased as orphans.
• Those that are too weak or are unable to
nurse or won’t take a bottle.

5. Two ways to get nutrition into young lambs/kids
Tubing vs. bottle feeding
Bottle feeding
• More natural
• Milk flows into abomasum
• Mimics suckling from dam
• Most people are more
comfortable doing
• Lambs/kids bond to people
Tubing
• Milk flows into rumen (OK: no differences in igG)
• Lambs/kids don’t bond to people or get used to bottle
feeding.
• More efficient
• Ensures
lamb/kid gets
enough milk.
Some lambs/kids are too
weak to nurse from a bottle.
Some lambs/kids won’t take a
bottle or drink enough milk.

6. Equipment for tube feeding
• Catheter tipped syringe
60 or 140 cc
Trusti-Tuber
• Stomach tube
Clear plastic (easier to insert)
Red rubber (flexible)

7. Tube feeding steps
• Warm milk to body temperature (~104°F) In hot
water bath, not microwave
• Assemble sanitized equipment
• Place tube alongside animal’s body to see how far
it will need to be inserted to reach last rib (can’t
go too far but can go not far enough).
• Sit down or kneel and restrain animal by facing it
away from you.
• Hold head in natural position; extend neck.
• Dip tube in clean water.

8. Tube feeding steps
• Insert tube in animal’s mouth; animal
should swallow tube readily (can still
bleat and cry, may chew on tube).
• Attach syringe to mouth of feeding tube.
• Fill tube with milk.
• Led fluid trickle via gravity.
• After all milk has emptied, crimp off end
of tube and slowly remove tube.

9. Precautions about tube feeding
• Warm a hypothermic (<99°F) lamb/kid < 5 hours old before tubing it.
• Don’t tube a lamb/kid that can’t hold its head up or swallow.
• Don’t spread diseases using un-sanitized equipment.
• Insert tube into esophagus not trachea/lungs.
• Can use plunger to test proper placement of tube
• Can also feel and see tube in esophagus
• If lamb/kid coughs, gags, or reacts violently, remove tube
• Tilting head back while tubing can help to avoid windpipe (Premier)
• Do not ram milk into stomach with the plunger; gravity flow is better.
• Exception: for thick colostrum, use plunger to push milk very slowly.

10. Docking
Shortening (not removal) of sheep’s tail.

11. Sheep tails
• The sheep’s tail protects its anus,
vulva, and udder from weather
extremes.
• Sheep lift their tail when they defecate
and use their tail, to some extent, to
scatter their feces.
• The tail does not interfere with
breeding or lambing.
• Selection has resulted in longer woolier
tails that sheep can’t lift easily.
• There are ongoing efforts to breed
sheep with shorter tails that do not
need docking.

12. Why dock?
 Health and hygiene!
• Docking prevents fecal matter from accumulating
on the tail and hindquarters.
• Tail docking greatly reduces the incidence of fly
strike (blow flies).
• Docking facilitates shearing, milking, and
harvest.
• It is easier to observe the vulva and udders of
docked ewes.
• Docking is required for show.
• It is generally recommended that lambs from
wooled sheep be docked, especially if they
will be retained in the flock, be sold as
feeders, or go to grass with their dams.

13. Why not dock?
• Some breeds do not require tail
docking, e.g. hair sheep, rat-
tailed, and fat-tailed sheep.
• If lambs are harvested at a young
age, it may not be necessary to
dock their tails.
• If the hindquarters can be kept
be kept clean, it may not be
necessary to dock lambs,
especially males.
• Some markets prefer an
unblemished (undocked) lamb.

14. Tools for docking lambs
Elastrator
ringer, bander
Callicrate
Bander™
Burdizzo (Baby)
Emasculatome
(clamp) + knife
[+ elastrator] knife, scalpel,
All-in-one
Electric docker
Hot iron
Emasculator
Double crush
$12 $34
$43
$4
~$250
$200-$300
$85

15. Methods of docking
ELASTRATOR
BANDER
• Bloodless method
• Band is placed over
the caudal tail fold
and released.
• The tight band cuts
off blood supply
to the tail, causing
it to atrophy and
fall off.
KNIFE
ALL-IN-ONE
• Cut tail off with knife
or use All-in-one to
cut off tail.
• May result in
excessive bleeding.
ELECTRIC
DOCKER OR
HOT IRON
BURDIZZO
+ KNIFE
• Crush tail to cut off
blood supply.
• Use knife to cut tail
completely off.
• Clamp after banding
• Bloodless
method
• Specialized tool
(“scissors”) or
hot iron used to
sever tail and
cauterize wound.
EMASCULATOR
• Cut and crush tail at
same time, sealing
blood vessels.

16. Docking with an elastrator
Make sure lamb is protected against tetanus
Banding poses greatest tetanus risk.
• Passive immunity from colostrum or
• Active immunity from
vaccination
1. Restrain lamb
2. Stretch out band
3. Slide band over tail
4. Position band
5. Release handle
6. Slide tool out
http://getting-stitched-on-the-farm.blogspot.com

17. When to dock
• As young as possible to reduce stress and
risk of complications.
• 1-7 days is recommended age, especially
when using elastrator bands.
• Too early (< 24 hours) may interfere with
bonding and colostrum intake.
• All methods of docking should be done by 6
weeks of age (banding earlier).
• Older docking (>3 months) should be done
by a veterinarian with pain relief.
• High-tension bands (Callicrate Bander™)
have been advocated for docking
older/bigger animals.

18. Length of tail dock (stub)
• Leave long enough to cover ewe’s vulva and
ram’s anus.
• No shorter than the distal (farthest) end of
the caudal tail fold (AVMA, ASI).
• Below the third palpable joint or to the tip
of the vulva in ewes.
• Closer band placement is more painful.
• Short-tail docking damages muscles and
nerves.
• Short-tail docking contributes to incidence
of rectal prolapses and other problems.
Proper length

19. Welfare considerations
• All tail docking causes pain, regardless of method or age.
• Surgical (knife) docking is the most painful method of docking; it is recommended
that tails not be cut off with a knife.
• Response to pain in banded lambs is variable and could be associated with
placement of the band (e.g. too short).
• Rubber ring + crushing (clamp) may reduce pain when banding.
• A electric docker or hot iron is probably the most humane method of docking.
• There is no justification for “ultra-short” tail docking (for cosmetic reasons).
• Local anesthetics (e.g. lidocaine) and NSAIDs can reduce pain associated with
docking (Rx).
• Protection against tetanus is recommended for all methods of tail docking.

20. Castration
Removal or destruction of testicles

21. Why castrate?
• Prevent indiscriminate breeding.
• Eliminate undesirable behavior
and/or odor.
• Wethers easier to manage
• Wethers easier to shear/crutch
• Show requirement
• Market preference
• Cleaner, easier to process
• Improve meat quality
• Wethers grow better wool
• Traditional practice
• Will be kept as pet

22. Why not
castrate?
• Males grow faster and
produce leaner carcasses.
• Some producers want to
see how males grow out.
• Some markets prefer an
intact male.
• No need to castrate young
animals that will go to
market before puberty.

23. Methods of castration
Elastrator
Ringer
Bander
Callicrate Bander™
Burdizzo (Baby)
Emasculatome
(don’t use cattle size)
“Surgical”
Scalpel or knife
All-in-one tool
Band, crush, or cut!
Emasculator
Side crusher
$12
$200-$300
$34
$43
$4
$85

24. Methods of castration
ELASTRATOR
BANDER (RINGS)
• Bloodless method
• Band is placed above
both testicles, around
the spermatic cords.
• The tight band cuts off
blood supply to the
testicles, causing them
to atrophy and fall off.
• Tetanus risk
BURDIZZO (BABY)
EMASCULATOME
• Bloodless method
• A clamp is used to crush both
spermatic cords; one cord at
a time.
• Testicles shrink and disappear
in a couple of months.
• Requires most skill.
EMASCULATOR
• Cut lower one-third of
scrotum off, remove
testicles, and allow wound
to drain and heal naturally.
• Can use all-in-one tool to
cut scrotum and pull
testicles out.
• Risk of bleeding, infection,
and fly strike.
SURGICAL
(KNIFE, SCALPEL, ETC)
• Crush and cut cords

25. Castrating with an elastrator
Make sure lamb is protected against tetanus.
Banding poses greatest tetanus risk.
• Passive immunity from colostrum or
• Active immunity from vaccination
Image source: http://medblog.medlink-uk.net/sarahsvetblog/
1. Restrain the lamb (on its rump)
2. Gently grasp scrotum and press to move both testicles
down into base of scrotum
3. Slide elastrator and band over scrotum towards abdomen
4. Release the elastrator handles to close the ring around
the scrotum
5. Check that there are two testicles in the scrotum
6. Make sure nipples are free of the rubber ring
7. Roll the ring off the pins of the elastrator
8. Close the handles to open the pins and slide the
elastrator off the scrotum.

26. Age to castrate
• As young as possible to reduce stress and risk
of complications.
• Ideally 1-7 days of age, as soon as testicles
have descended into scrotum (and especially
when using elastrator bands).
• Too early (< 24 hours) may interfere with
bonding and colostrum intake.
• At the same time as docking.
• All methods of castration should be done by 6
weeks of age, especially banding.
• Older castration (>3 months) should be done
by a veterinarian with pain relief.
• High tension bands (Callicrate Bander™) have
been advocated for older, bigger animals.

27. Welfare considerations
• All castration methods cause pain, regardless of
method or age.
• Surgical is most painful method of castration and
should not be done during fly season.
• Clamping (w/Burdizzo) is least painful and can be
done later than banding.
• In young lambs, clamping reduces pain of banding.
• High-tension bands (Callicrate Bander™) may be
more humane (although no proof).
• Local anesthetics (e.g. lidocaine) and NSAIDs can
reduce pain associated with castration. (Rx).
• Protection against tetanus is recommended for all
methods of castration.

28. Early castration and urinary calculi
• Urinary calculi is a urinary-tract blockage in ruminants.
It occurs in males, rarely females.
• Males are more prone because they have a longer,
curvier urethra.
• Wethers may be even more prone because their
urethras have a smaller diameter than intact males
because of the loss of the influence of testosterone.
• There is concern (but not proof) that early castration
causes urinary calculi, especially in goats (pets, show).
• Urinary calculi is a nutritional problem. It is
almost always caused by improper feeding: too
much phosphorus in diet and/or an improper ratio
of calcium to phosphorus.

29. Preventing urinary calculi
in all sheep and goats
Correct diet formulation
• No excess phosphorus in diet.
• Calcium to phosphorus ratio of at least 2:1.
• Source of roughage (hay and/or pasture) in the diet.
• Constant source of fresh, clean water.
• Adequate salt intake.
• Addition of ammonium chloride to the diet.
• Don’t unbalance complete feed by adding something to it.
 If you choose late castration for a pet or show wether
or dwarf goat, a veterinarian should perform the
procedure with pain relief and/or under sedation.

30. Disbudding
Destroying horns cells to prevent horns from growing

31. Disbudding
• Destroying the horn cells to
prevent the horns from
growing.
• Disbudding is not the same
as dehorning.
• It is not customary to disbud
(or dehorn) sheep.

32. Why disbud?
• Goats are generally horned.
• There is an increased risk of hermaphroditism when two naturally polled
goats are bred.
• It is customary to disbud dairy goats and other goats that will be handled
frequently or be kept in close quarters.
• Safety: horned goats can cause injury to people and other goats.
• More likely to get entrapped in fences and destroy farm facilities.
• Some shows require goats to be disbudded.
• Some breeds require disbudding for registration
• Personal or market preference.

33. Why not disbud?
• It is natural for goats to have horns.
• Horns serve as a natural cooling
mechanism and defense mechanism.
• It is not customary to disbud meat
or fiber goats or goats raised
extensively (minimal human contact).
• Goats that will go to market early do
not need disbudding.
• Disbudding may not be allowed to meet
animal welfare certifications
• Personal preference.

34. Disbudding kids
• Disbudding is a skilled procedure (in the United
Kingdom, only veterinarians may perform the
procedure).
• The most common and recommended method of
disbudding is with an electric disbudding iron.
• The circular tip of the iron should be about ¾
inch in diameter.
• Wattage varies by manufacturer.
• An extension cord should not be used to power
the tool.

35. Disbudding kids
• The kid is usually placed in a
(disbudding) box, with its
head sticking out.
• The areas over and around
the horn buds should be
clipped prior to the
procedure.
• The circular iron is placed
over each horn bud.

36. Disbudding kids
• The iron is held for 8 to 15
seconds, depending upon
manufacturer’s instructions.
• A “copper-colored” ring
appears around the horn buds
when the procedure has been
properly done.
• Afterwards, it is a good idea
to put an anesthetic on the
horn buds.

37. Timing is
everything
• Kids should be disbudded as
soon after birth as possible,
usually 3 to 7 days.
• Exact timing depends on
breed, sex, and goat.
• Disbud as soon as the horn
buds can be distinguished.

38. Welfare
considerations
• Disbudding causes some pain.
• Be sure to disbud at the proper time.
• Make sure disbudding iron is hot enough.
• Don’t press iron too hard.
• Do not apply iron for too long.
• Be careful not to overheat kid’s head.
• Consider providing pain relief (Rx).
• Inexperienced producers should seek the assistance of an
experienced producer or veterinarian.
Chemical methods of disbudding
are being evaluated.

39. What about
dehorning?
• Dehorning is removal of the
horns after they have formed
from the horn bud.
• There are many physical
methods of horn removal; none
are pleasant.
• High tension bands (Callicrate
Bander™) have been advocated
for horn removal.
• NOT RECOMMENDED
Disbudding is preferred.
Tipping is another option.
If done, should be done by a vet.

40. Identifying
Individual and premise identification

41. Why identify sheep/goats
• To tell animals apart
• For record-keeping
• Requirement for breed
registration
• Requirement for 4-H/FFA
• Requirement for health
papers
• USDA scrapie ID is mandatory.

42. Methods of identifying sheep and goats
PERMANENT
• Ear tags*
• Tattoos*
• Ear notches
• Electronic Identification (RFID)
(will probably eventually become mandatory for animal traceability)
• Ear tag
• Microchip under skin
• Rumen bolus
TEMPORARY
• Paint brands
• Spray markers
• Crayon, chalk, or paint stick
• Raddle paint
• Stick tags
• Neck chains, straps, or collars

43. Official Scrapie ID
• USDA requires almost all sheep and goats to have premise
identification before leaving their place of origin (birth).
• Exception: young animals (<18 months) going directly to slaughter
• The ear tag has the owner’s premise ID number on one side and
the individual animal ID on the other.
• Tattoos are permissible for registered animals, if registration
papers accompany animal.
• Records must be kept for 5 years on all animals.

44. Scrapie identification
• No-cost metal tags are no longer available.
• Up to 100 plastic tags are provided free-of-charge
to first time participants (until money runs out).
• To get a premise ID number (and order free tags)
call toll free 1-866-873-2824.
• Don’t need to apply tags until animals leave farm.

45. Ear tags for
identification
• Ear tags come in many different
designs, shapes, colors, and sizes.
• There are brass, aluminum, and
plastic tags.
• There are button, swivel, and
looping (one-piece) tags.
• Tags can be custom printed.
(Farm ID + Scrapie ID)
• Tags can contain microchip.
• Which tag to use is a matter of
situation and personal preference.

46. Ear tagging basics
• Different tags usually
require different
applicators.
• Proper technique maximizes
tag retention and minimizes
ear infections.
• Proper restraint of animal is
necessary to prevent tearing
of the ear.

47. Applicators
• Make sure you are using the
right applicator for the right
tag(s).
• Make sure the applicator is
working properly.
• Do not use applicators with
worn or damaged pins.
• Insert a tag and make sure
the male pin is aligned with
the female applicator.

48. Placement
of ear tags
• No more than 2 inches from skull
• Avoid veins and ridges of cartilage
• Put pin (male part) on inside or ear
• Put looping tags on top of ear; allow room to grow.

49. Preventing ear
infections
• Place tag in center of ear.
• Tag lambs/kids instead of mature animals.
• Don’t insert tags during fly season
(late-spring to summer)
• Don’t tag dirty, wet ears.
• Metal and round tags cause more infections.
• Can apply antibiotic, fly repellent, or
disinfectant to ear or tag.
• Dip tagger in disinfectant between animals.
• Store tags properly. Don’t use dirty tags.

50. Tattooing for ID
• A more permanent form
of ID than ear tags.
• Required by some breed
registries.
• Qualifies as scrapie ID,
when accompanied by
registration certificate.
• A second type of ID is
often applied.
There are different sized numbers.

51. Tattooing • Insert correct numbers in pliers and
test on piece of paper or cardboard.
• Properly restrain animal.
• Clean ear with alcohol
• Apply ink generously to ear using
paste-type or roll-on.
• Place symbols parallel to and
between veins or cartilage of ear.
• Squeeze pliers firmly, then pull
straight away.
• Apply another layer of ink.
• Will heal in 5-21 days.
Green ink is best, especially for dark ears.

52. Lamb/Kid Management
Tubing | Docking | Castrating | Disbudding | Identifying
Only do it if
you have to.
Do it at the
right time.
Do it right.

53. Thank you.
Susan Schoenian
sschoen@umd.edu
sheepandgoat.com | wormx.info