I disbudded my goat kids yesterday finally, at 4 weeks of age. I'd ordered a kid holding box from Caprine, only when it arrived (yesterday) the kids were too big to fit into it! Anyway, it was horrible as expected, even with the big X50 iron I burned 3 times each for about 8 seconds, some a tad longer, and could not get a solid copper ring. So, I guess I'll watch and see. I guess because they're 4 weeks old instead of 4-10 days. The ring's mostly copper, and I'm crossing my fingers. Thanks to Vicki for all your help!

-- CJ (cjtinkle@getgoin.net), January 16, 2002

Answers

CJ all the places where it isn't copper......will grow back scurs! 4 weeks is absolutly not to old to disbud, other than they fight you tooth and nail ;) 8 seconds wouldn't be long enough unless the iron had been plugged in for a very long time. Did you retrofit your iron with the 3/4 inch copper pipe fitting, another reason for not getting the copper ring is that you were just burning on top of the horn. Make sure the copper ring is just not matted down burnt hair also! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 16, 2002.

Be sure to clip the hair around the horns before you burn. It's easier to see and you don't lose heat in the iron burning hair.

-- Brenda Kenfield (bjk@gmavt.net), January 17, 2002.