DISBUDDING GOAT KIDS
It is a common practice to
disbud domesticated goats. The main reason for disbudding goats is the
danger fully grown horns can cause to other goats and
humans (especially children). Although disbudding is not absolutely required, it is an accepted practice
by many goat keepers.
The process of disbudding is performed before
the horns start to grow (in their budding stage), and is pain free for
the goat kid. Even just seconds after the procedure, the kids play on
as usual.
Disbudding is not very difficult but any
mistake can have very undesirable consequences. It is best to perform
this task when the goat kids are between 5 and 10 days old, just
before their nervous system is fully developed.
My personal practice is to
not disbud any of my own female goats, only the male goats. Since
all the female goats I ever had were so friendly that there is no danger from their
horns, I just prefer to keep them with horns. Male goat
kids, however, are very strong and sometimes jumpy, so even at just a few
months old, their horns could be dangerous.
Disbudding
Price: at my farm: $10 per kid; away from my farm
(only within 30 minutes of Mayaguez): $16 per kid. Male goats should be disbudded between day five and seven; female goats when they are between six
and nine days old.
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