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  • From: "Lynda" <lurine AT com-pair.net>
  • To: <homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Homestead] Disbudding goats
  • Date: Sat, 21 Mar 2009 19:23:08 -0800

It only takes one to be a problem. Many long years ago when the kidlets first decided they were going to raise goats (70s), we bought a complete herd. Some horned, some dehorned. "We" the humans didn't have any problems with the horned does. However, any goat that has horns knows how to use them and will use them against other animals. The old Sanaan "b" would hook other does under the flank and 9 times out of 10 hit the udder if they had the audacity to be eating something that she decided should be her's. She became dog food! And the beautiful but nasty registered Nubian doe went down the road. If any kid that wasn't her's came near her she'd hook them and toss them across the yard. She was a beautiful doe with beautiful bloodlines and a "perfect" udder. We sold her, with complete disclosure, to a woman who showed goats.

It was simply easier to stick with a herd with no horns. And, the dehorning (didn't use the burn method) was quick and easy. Plus, the kidlets main market was show and production does and the big dairies and the show folks don't want horns.

Lynda
----- Original Message ----- From: "EarthNSky" <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>

Only head to head?? Well, yeah, I have seen that, but in my barn, they
would butt each other in the back or side as well if for example, Xena
was laying in Isis' spot. They butt in the udder area if the receiving
goat is laying down and the offending goat is standing. They would very
often ram each other in the sides to move their fellow goat out of the
way if they were competing for my attention. In my experience, they
butt each other all over.

I do agree with the 'caprophile' sentiment about certain dogma. I know
that there are some who see no middle ground.

I thought of one other thing on the 'horn' issue.. I think I said
before that disbudded does sell for more/are more in demand than horned
does.





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