Premier 1 - page 66

Docking, Castrating
and Dehorning
(above) Using rings to tail-dock a hair lamb. We
apply 2 rings at the same time to eliminate risk of
one ring breaking.
Note the new ring container above right.
1.Keeps rings together in one spot in the lambing barn.
2.Special lid (similar but larger than a breath-mint lid)
allows user to tip out 1 ring at a time.
About “O” Rings & Expanders…
As shown at left, an expander stretches the rubber
ring(s) open to allow sliding it over the tail or
scrotum. When released the ring clamps the arteries
shut. The tail or scrotum drops off in 7 to 14 days.
Rings occasionally break so it’s wise to either:
1. Check results a week later and re-apply rings
as needed.
2. Apply 2 rings instead of one (one ring shown
left). Rings are less than 2¢ each so it’s cheap
insurance. We put 2 rings on all pasture-born
lambs because they are older (thicker tails) and
we don’t want to disturb the flock a second time.
Though rings are proven by tests to cause more
distress than a knife or emasculator, the pain lasts
less than 30 minutes if lambs are less than 7 days old.
Advantages of ring method:
• No method is simpler or quicker.
• Rings and expander are not expensive.
• Tool/rings fit into pockets or tool boxes.
• Fly-strike is less likely (no blood).
Issues when using rings:
1. With lambs and kids 1 to 3 days old, it’s difficult
to get both testicles below the ring because the
testicles are small.
2. Applying rings before a male lamb or kid is
24 hours old may interrupt nursing and so
predispose lamb to E. coli problems (“watery
mouth”). That’s why we wait 2 days to use them
on twins, triplets and orphans.
3. Tetanus is a risk with rings. So vaccinate ewes or
does for tetanus just prior to lambing or kidding.
Metal Ring Expander, 0.70 lb............................#702000 $13.50
Blue Plastic Expander, 0.40 lb.......................... #702001 $8.50
O Rings, 100/pkg, 0.10 lb.................................#703000 $1.75
New! Container w/100 Rings, 0.18 lb...............#703100 $3.00
66www.premier1supplies.com • 1-800-282-6631
8" long
O Rings
100/pkg
8.5" long
“How to casterate and dock
lambs and goat kids.”
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