About Banding Goat Buck Kids

By Deb Haines

About Banding Goat Buck Kids …Questions and Answers ( Age matters)

Banding is a method that goat owners use to castrate their male goats. Banding refers to applying a small, thick rubber band to the top of the testicles with a metal tool called an elastrator.

Banding pain starts once blood flow begins to back up once tourniquet-effect of bands starts to work, but a more chronic or long-lasting pain also occurs as a result of the slow tissue death from incomplete cessation of blood flow since band pressure may not completely occlude blood vessels. That’s why it can take 2-4 weeks for dead scrotal tissues and testicles to “dry up” and fall off.
Risk of infection, including a typically fatal tetanus infection, can occur after banding. Risk of incomplete castration is real. It is possible that while band is being applied that a testicle can slip out of scrotum and back up along body wall, becoming trapped there. Part of the urethra can be caught within the band if it is applied incorrectly, especially if one testicle is partially retained and the band is placed higher to try and “capture” it.

The amount of pain, and rate of complications is increased the larger and more well-developed the testicles are. If done earlier, then studies have shown that the internal diameter of the urethra does not mature to full size and risk of obstruction by urinary calculi is greater. So if this method is used
(most vets don’t recommend it for pet goats especially) for market wethers…those destined for freezer camp… or in young calves, then it should be done with appropriate pain medication, tetanus prophylaxis, and careful follow-up care.

Pain …In case one wondered how is pain measured in an animal that doesn’t talk? Behavioral changes are only one part of the picture. Vocalizing, avoidance, restlessness, shifting weight from limb to limb, other abnormal actions or reactions can also be included. But the more telling parameters that indicate pain are actually physiologic and aren’t easily visualized. Increased heart rate, increased respiration, subtle or not so subtle lameness or change in gait, fever, changes in metabolism, decrease in average daily weight gain, slower healing, decrease in appetite and water consumption, acid-base balance changes, etc.

So while they may be acting as if they are not in pain (a major and instinctive defense against predators) other parameters tell a different story. That is why the AVMA, veterinarians, and the major livestock industry organizations are changing their recommendations for many of the traditional procedures.

Commons Questions and Answers

1) What age should you band a Buck Kid ?
Depends on what his purpose in life is…Most vets on this site prefer to surgically castrate them. If keeping as pets it is best to wait until at least 6 months old to ensure their urinary tract is developed. Current thought is early castration can lead to more problems with urinary calculi. Not a problem for meat goats, but for a pet wether, later castration at 6 months or more may allow him to develop a slightly larger diameter urethra. then a proper diet with a calcium:phosphorous ratio of at least 2:1 = a happy wether……..If you must castrate early (for showing, meat), then banding is fine as long as it is done before 14 days of age. For humane reasons, anything older should be surgically castrated by a veterinarian Dr. Burton

2) If a buckling who was banded and retained a testicle will that affect?
Yes – will smell and act buck like. If retained in abdomen more likely to become cancerous Dr. Sandra

3) Can a buck still breed with a retained testicle ?
If still in scrotum above where the band was – yes . If in abdomen much less likely but possible. I have surgically castrated these under anesthetic. Dr.Sandra

4) If it’s still in the scrotum can he be rebanded?
Re re-banding, it would be difficult as more likely to also band the urethra and as these kids are older more painful Dr Sandra Dr Sandra

5) How long after banding for testicles to fall off ?
Usually should fall off by 4 weeks, but not always. odor and a discharge, then can be concerned. Dr.Burton

6) What if I want to keep mine as a pet?
Most vets on this site prefer to surgically castrate them. If keeping as pets it is best to wait until at least 6 months old to ensure their urinary tract is developed. Dr Barnes.

Current thought is early castration can lead to more problems with urinary calculi. Not a problem for meat goats, but for a pet wether, later castration at 6 months or more may allow him to develop a slightly larger diameter urethra. Dr Miller

7) Would 3 months be to old to band ?
At this age, the only humane way is to have a veterinarian castrate him with the appropriate anesthesia/analgesia. The skin/muscles/vessels/nerves are too big to band humanely. Dr VW

8)What is the possibility of them developing buck like smell or personality if waiting that long to castrate?
Once the testosterone is gone, they will not generate the smell. Of course the smell that is already present has to wear off or be washed off.On older animals, surgical castration is best. Banding is very painful and has more complications on older animals Dr. Miller

9) Banding a Goat Kid what is my safe range ?
Depends on the reason you are castrating. If you must castrate early (for showing, etc), then banding is fine as long as it is done before 14 days of age. For humane reasons, anything older should be surgically castrated by a veterinarian. If you can wait on castration, waiting until about 6 months of age or older is ideal to allow the urethra to grow and (with feeding management) help to prevent urinary calculi. Dr VW

10) Do they need their shots before Banding ?
Give cd/t vaccine now; antitoxin can also be given – both day of if prefer or the cd/t now and band as can… cd/t works long-term, the antitoxin works short-term. Dr Burton

11) Could you band a year old buck ?
No – at this age, he must be castrated by a veterinarian with appropriate anesthesia and analgesia. Too many large blood vessels, muscles, and nerves for it to be safely or humanely banded. Dr VW

Learning to band a goat……

An elastrator is the most common tool for castrating Can be bought at tractor supply and need green rubber banding bands.

To prepare for banding, place a band that has been soaked in alcohol for a few minutes on the prongs of the elastrator. No other disinfectant or cleaning is needed because the procedure is bloodless.

Follow these steps to castrate using an elastrator

1.)Restrain the kid.
Your helper can hold the kid in her lap, facing outward with his back to
her chest, or she can straddle the goat
and lift the kid’s back legs up so he is standing on his two front feet.

2.)With the prongs of the elastrator facing the kid, expand the band by squeezing the elastrator.

3.)Place the band over the scrotum and testes,
close to the body, making sure that both testes are below the ring.

4.)Release the elastrator and pull it from the band, making sure that the band is close to the body and that the
teats are not trapped in the band.

Best advice is to have someone experienced show you how to band and watch banding videos on you tube before attempting this procedure.