The use of castrating bands to remove horns is probably the least stressful and cost effective method available. Most horns come off slick, and stay that way. We have done kids from 12 weeks to five months of age successfully. Like any surgery you need to keep an eye out for infection or adverse effects, but this is the least evasive and traumatic method that we have found. |
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| Secure goat in trim chute or goat stand with halter to secure head. Secure head so it is immobile. |
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| Clip hair around horns. Feel the ridge right below the hairline. You want your band to lay about 1/4" below this ridge. You can use a marker to mark your incision line. |
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| Make sure all your tools are clean and sterile. Use Betadine or Nolvason to ensure they are clean. We even dip the bands in our solution, being they are going to come in contact with an open incision. Inject lidocane under the skin to deaden the area. Use a scalpel or sharp blade to cut through the skin. Just cut deep enough to go through the skin, this will hold your band in place. It only takes a couple of cc’s to deaden the area. We try to cut almost 180 degrees around the front half of the horn, this keeps the band from slipping up on larger horns. |
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| Place the band over the horn and into your incision. Sometimes this is a little difficult and takes a couple of tries. When completed we usually spray the area with Scarlet Oil as an antiseptic and help keep the flies away. |
