The "Need a new vet" thread made me think of another disbudding question. It seems folks have different ideas on what the best time to dibud is, and I wondered what you folks hink. Initially I was told that 10 days was the best time, then last year, Becky (Vicki's best friend) helped me out and she said two to three days. On my kids who were done at 10 days I have two that have small scurs and two that do not. One male and one female on each. Don't know about last years kids as they went to live somewhere else. I have this doeling that will be close to a week old before she is disbudded...Opinions?

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), March 02, 2002

Answers

I think it depends more on the breed. I did the Lamanchas at 3-5 days old. The Nubians I waited until they were 7-14 days. The Pygmies I can wait a good 2 weeks, sometimes 3 or 4. I just keep checking horn buds until I think they feel the right stage for doing.

-- Wendy (weiskids@yahoo.com), March 02, 2002.

Mine are all Nubians. We like to do bucks between 4 and 7 days, and does between 7 and 10. We've sometimes gotten scurs when we waited longer.

-- mary (marylgarcia@aol.com), March 02, 2002.

When I was doing a lot of kids, back when I was raising them for meat to the tune of 50 or 60 at a time, we picked kids up from a friends dairy where they only kept the doe kids and had all breeds. I found that the Nubians, which is my breed, could wait almost two weeks (does that is) before they had much bud to burn. The bucks were 4-7 days. The LaManchas and Toggs were almost born with buds I think. I like to wait until I feel the bud before I burn.

I think, more importantly even than age, is how complete your burn is. I got a lot of scurs, even when I did them really young, when I first started disbudding. IMO you have to go just beyond that copper colored circle if you want to be certain of a good burn. Like a little bit of separation of skin, but not too much. And it has to be all around the bud. Since I have gotten more aggressive with the disbudding, I have never had scurs. I spray with blue Kote afterwards and give them a bottle and never have had a problem.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), March 02, 2002.

We did all our LaManchas the weekend after they were born, and honestly some bucks could have been done right after birth. I know Becky also does her Toggs really early. I just feel heads on the Nubians, and multiple births, especially doelings can wait two weeks sometimes. I know Becky has a set of the littlest triplet Nubians you have ever seen, full term and as healthy as can be, just out of a first fresher and they are TINY! and believe me she isn't disbudding them at 2 or 3 days :) I am going to invite Becky to come and talk on this list, she is the nicest person, way to nice for Countryside or Nubian Talk :) Most folks are VERY surprised that we are such good friends :) LOL Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), March 03, 2002.

Hey Vicki, I hate to break it to you, but even tho you are very direct sometimes(:smiles:)- you are also very nice! Don't worry, I won't tell anyone....shhhhhh

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), March 03, 2002.

I think if you talk to most breeders, the more disbudding they do, the more they will tell you to get it on right away. Yes, some goats ARE ready within a few days. Others may take longer. My twin nigerian kids were totally different - the male ready to do in four days, the female not ready until nearly ten. Just depends on when those buds start poking through. Definitely, chances for scurring reduce the earlier disbudding is done. I agree too, when you start out, you're more hesitent and may not do a thorough job. I plan to be more confident with my next kids!

-- Lynn (moonspinner@bluefrognet.net), March 04, 2002.

shhh, vicki is a good gal , dont scare her and tell her shes all brash , she may never post again !

Saanens, disbud at 2 weeks nubians , at about 1 full week old alpines about 10 days boers,around 5 days . so far.... let you know on scurs.... BTW, using retrofitted soldering gun... very "home made" with a brass fitting, seems to work well.

-- Beth Van Stiphout (willosnake@hotmail.com), March 25, 2002.