Bloodless castration lambs

[Nithsdale]

Grouse estate here, and I'm second generation on a '91 act secure tenancy.

Lambs are rubber ringed within an "appropriate time period".

I stand corrected.

 

[Al R]

http://www.4cdesign.co.uk/work/numnuts/

Does anyone have 1 of these and what's the advantages? If done in the first 36 hours we've noticed the lambs hardly notice ringing? Not many cases of joint ill on the outside flocks, down to 3-4 cases of joint ill the whole season and they were from flocks that had come from the shed at some point - triplet lambs that might've not had enough colostrum and could've maybe have been born by the water tank where it can be wet underfoot even with straw twice a day!
Dad was saying he'd have 50-80 lambs with joint ill years ago but since we've gone to a 2 ewe and then clean/disinfect the individual pen after 2 ewes that the cases of joint ill have gone to 3-4.

 

[Y Fan Wen]

I priced up a docking chute and got an unpleasant shock but Shearwell sell a Te Pari docking cradle which is more reasonable.

Did you have many issues or failures?

I worked single handed, sat the lamb on my feet with the head between my knees.

 

[bovine]

The burdizzo can be used without anaesthetic at older than a week, plus no open wound and I would think less ongoing pain. But yes, rings would be a lot easier.

The law states:

Under the Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Act 1954, as amended, it is an offence to castrate lambs which have reached three months of age without the use of an anaesthetic. Furthermore, the use of a rubber ring, or other device, to restrict the flow of blood to the scrotum or tail, is only permitted without an anaesthetic if the device is applied during the first week of life.
​

I'd argue that a Burdizzo was designed to constrict blood flow to the scrotum and therefore a local anaesthetic is a requirement. It's a very painful procedure, some painkiller in cattle at dehorning and castration is becoming commonplace.

 

[CopperBeech]

I hate castrating lambs but I really do fail to see why it's such a big deal doing it at a couple of weeks. It's more efficient and your hasslibg the ewes and lambs mess when mothering and also creating another job at the busiest time!

Tin hat on!

 

[Woolless]

The law states:

Under the Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Act 1954, as amended, it is an offence to castrate lambs which have reached three months of age without the use of an anaesthetic. Furthermore, the use of a rubber ring, or other device, to restrict the flow of blood to the scrotum or tail, is only permitted without an anaesthetic if the device is applied during the first week of life.
​

I'd argue that a Burdizzo was designed to constrict blood flow to the scrotum and therefore a local anaesthetic is a requirement. It's a very painful procedure, some painkiller in cattle at dehorning and castration is becoming commonplace.

The QMS assurance standards state that the burdizzo can be used up to three months of age without anaesthetic.

I would argue that the burdizzo is specifically designed to cut off the blood supply to the testicle without damaging the scrotum, hence no requirement for anaesthesia. According to the info I read from the Moredun foundation, the nerves die off pretty quickly. However, I will make my own judgement once I've used them

 

[Ysgythan]

The law states:

Under the Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Act 1954, as amended, it is an offence to castrate lambs which have reached three months of age without the use of an anaesthetic. Furthermore, the use of a rubber ring, or other device, to restrict the flow of blood to the scrotum or tail, is only permitted without an anaesthetic if the device is applied during the first week of life.
​

I'd argue that a Burdizzo was designed to constrict blood flow to the scrotum and therefore a local anaesthetic is a requirement. It's a very painful procedure, some painkiller in cattle at dehorning and castration is becoming commonplace.

A month old is ideal, for your welfare and the lamb. Younger and it's a fiddle to get the burdizzo in above the balls. Older and you have a lump of kicking barsteward to handle.

 

[liammogs]

If you know the lambs are cross bred etc do them with a rubber ring when you dock him!! The lamb will never look back!!

Dad did a experiment with his friend years ago with calves, dad always said ringing is better etc his friend said leave them entire they get heavier and nip at weaning, the calves that were rininged weighed more never looked back the calves that were nipped stalled for a week or two and went backwards before going forward again!!!