Need help from all the goat people out there. We have a five week old Nubian male. He's healthy in all respects save his one folded over ear. It's folded lengthwise as you would fold an 8.5 by 11 sheet of paper into a 4.25 by 11 sheet. Two nights ago we duct taped some strong cardboard onto his ear hoping it would last a month or so, but it didn't last two days. Thank you for your responses. Sorry if the duct tape offended any. I think very kindly of our goats.

-- Brian McCabe (scout@kanokla.net), May 18, 2000

Answers

The cardboard/ducttape is about the best you can do. put the cardboard on both sides of the ear. Usually they will outgrow it in a few weeks, in my experience, even if nothing is done. good luck.

-- (smjranch@excite.com), May 19, 2000.

Don't have any experience with goats, but having had Shelties for many years, I have a little experience with trying to "shape" an ear. We use moleskin which is sold for people with foot trouble. It is soft, pliant and sticky, but not so sticky that it's a problem. It comes with a paper backing over the adhesive side. I cut the moleskin to fit the ear, clip the hair inside the ear as closely as possible (not sure if that's even an issue with goats) and apply the moleskin inside the ear. More than one layer can be used. You might even be able to place some sort of "stiffener" between the layers if the fold is relatively stubborn. Hope this helps.

-- Sandy (tripletreefarm@hotmail.com), May 19, 2000.

We've had a few folded ears and what we do is open the ear and place it flat against the side of the head. Making it go under the jas if it's that long. We then use masking tape and wrap the tape round and round the ear and head. Not too tight. When the tape wears off, 5 days or so, it should be right. If it comes off in a day or two re-do it. You didn't put enough tape on the first time. No cardboard. If the ear has a nice curl at the bottom, you may want to leave it hanging out. Try to catch folded ears earlier next time. Your kid is kind of old but I did a friends last year quite late and the ear looks pretty good. If I'm not clear in my instructions let me know, I'll try again.

-- Bob Ambrozaitis (rambrozaitis@snet.net), May 25, 2000.

Though we have wonderful results taping (and yes I also use duct-tape and two pieces of cardboard), and I tape most ears, I want my ears flat and correct. I would have to say I do it at birth and keep them on about a week. I can't believe you are going to get any results on a 5 week old kid. Sorry, Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), May 25, 2000.