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Castration and docking.

  • 22-03-2015 3:14pm
    #1
    Green farmer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,004 ✭✭✭


    Over the last few years haven't castrated but going to this year. I tail at 2-3 days old but see some do it just after birth . What the best practice ? Any pros cons of when you castrate / dock, both together or at different times ?


Comments

  • #2
    tomwaterford
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,768 ✭✭✭✭tomwaterford


    Green farmer wrote: »
    Over the last few years haven't castrated but going to this year. I tail at 2-3 days old but see some do it just after birth . What the best practice ? Any pros cons of when you castrate / dock, both together or at different times ?

    I do them at around a day old....always taught it might be a bit early....but I like to do them before turn out....as it's easier managed


    Though I will say be sure and do it right as I've heard a few people complain on being docked from the factory for incorrect castrated lambs :eek:


  • #3
    serfspup
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 208 ✭✭serfspup


    do both together,rule of thumb once the navel is dry.
    doing them too soon may result in them not taking enough colostrum.
    some lambs balls may not have dropped enough so leave their tail on and it is easy to spot them for again


  • #4
    Willfarman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,239 ✭✭✭Willfarman


    tomwaterford wrote: »
    I do them at around a day old....always taught it might be a bit early....but I like to do them before turn out....as it's easier managed


    Though I will say be sure and do it right as I've heard a few people complain on being docked from the factory for incorrect castrated lambs :eek:

    There's no factory docking for that anymore. It's what the Muslims want.


  • #5
    tomwaterford
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,768 ✭✭✭✭tomwaterford


    Willfarman wrote: »
    There's no factory docking for that anymore. It's what the Muslims want.

    ICM camolin

    For half castrated lambs were last summer anyway from what I'm told


  • #6
    Willfarman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,239 ✭✭✭Willfarman


    tomwaterford wrote: »
    ICM camolin

    For half castrated lambs were last summer anyway from what I'm told

    Half castrated would have them neither one way or the other maybe? There's definately no cut for having them whole Rams anyway.


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  • #7
    tomwaterford
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,768 ✭✭✭✭tomwaterford


    Willfarman wrote: »
    Half castrated would have them neither one way or the other maybe? There's definately no cut for having them whole Rams anyway.

    I agree.....it's stupid that people can't castrate lambs properly after 25+ years at sheep


  • #8
    sako 85
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 191 ✭✭sako 85


    For the last couple of years we've only tail docked the ewe lambs that might be kept or sold for breeding, using rubber rings. Usually put them on as early as possible as I think if you leave it until 3-4 days it cause more discomfort to the lamb. We only ever castrate remaining ram lambs after September as we would have the vast majority sold before then.


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