Ringing lambs

[Northdowns Martin]

what age is it too late to ring a male lamb

 

[Northeastfarmer]

A week

 

[Gator]

depends if its dropped both balls

 

[neilo]

In the UK, 7 days. Most other countries around the world, when you cant get the ring over the stones.

 

[Sheepfog]

Hill farms do them at 6-8 weeks. Think there’s a hill farm derogation.

 

[Nithsdale]

Hill farms do them at 6-8 weeks. Think there’s a hill farm derogation.

There is no hill derogation.

Rubber banding must be done within 7 days.

Castration by Burdizzo can be done upto 12 weeks of age.

Castration after 3 months old MUST be done by a vet.

 

[Agrivator]

There is no doubt that lambs rung by a competent shepherd suffer less stress if rung at 6 weeks than if rung within a few days of birth.

Which completely contradicts the current regulations.

And the most painful method of all is the burdizzo, because it has very long-term painful effects.

 

[Still Farming]

depends if its dropped both balls

Vets otherwise?

 

[Nithsdale]

There is no doubt that lambs rung by a competent shepherd suffer less stress if rung at 6 weeks than if rung within a few days of birth.

Which completely contradicts the current regulations.

And the most painful method of all is the burdizzo, because it has very long-term painful effects.

Where's the proof of that, other than your opinion.
Older lambs still go through a few days discomfort which can cause a stall, which is to not seen when banding at birth.

Agree banding at 6, 8, 10 weeks is much, much better for the lamb than Burdizzo at the same age.

 

[Gator]

Ring mine and tag at 2 days other than those that amp dropped, as said after a few hours there reet

 

[Bury the Trash]

https://assets.publishing.service.g...and_tail_docking_for_the_welfare_of_lambs.pdf

There is no doubt that lambs rung by a competent shepherd suffer less stress if rung at 6 weeks than if rung within a few days of birth.

Which completely contradicts the current regulations.

And the most painful method of all is the burdizzo, because it has very long-term painful effects.

for sure there would be a much bigger wound and relative pain to that ?….before healing on the 6wk old
plus increased risk of infection at that time maybe

 

[Agrivator]

There is a big variation between new-born lambs in the structure of the scrotum.

1. Some have a very loose scrotum with a good distance between the teats and the top of the testicles. Such lambs can be rung and show only moderate signs of discomfort.

2. Some have very tight scrotums and there is a risk that either one or more teats are trapped with long-term consequences and/or the top of one or both testicles are trapped. Such lambs suffer far more and prolonged discomfort. Obviously, much is down to the skill of the operator.

If lambs are rung at a later stage, almost all will fall into the former category. That alone shows why it is more humane to ring at a later stage, even though it is against the law.

 

[Nithsdale]

There is a big variation between new-born lambs in the structure of the scrotum.

1. Some have a very loose scrotum with a good distance between the teats and the top of the testicles. Such lambs can be rung and show only moderate signs of discomfort.

2. Some have very tight scrotums and there is a risk that either one or more teats are trapped with long-term consequences and/or the top of one or both testicles are trapped. Such lambs suffer far more and prolonged discomfort. Obviously, much is down to the skill of the operator.

If lambs are rung at a later stage, almost all will fall into the former category. That alone shows why it is more humane to ring at a later stage, even though it is against the law.

But where does that show, without doubt, that lambs suffer less being banded at 6 weeks compared to birth?

 

[Agrivator]

But where does that show, without doubt, that lambs suffer less being banded at 6 weeks compared to birth?

My own observation is that a higher proportion of lambs rung soon after birth will suffer prolonged severe pain, compared to lambs rung at a later stage.

 

[Nithsdale]

My own observation is that a higher proportion of lambs rung soon after birth will suffer prolonged severe pain, compared to lambs rung at a later stage.

Changed your tune from "without doubt" to it now being your opinion.

It's my observation that you are wrong, and I agree with the official findings. I band lambs as soon as they are dry at birth. You get the odd one lay down for an hour or so, but most continue following mum and show no signs of discomfort. It's a quiet job with minimal stress on the lambs.

Compare that to 5-6 week old lambs. These lambs lay in discomfort the rest of that day after being banded. They also have the added stress of being gathered and handled at that age - usually the first time a mob of ewes and lambs have been gathered and brought to the pens.