The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: MrsJ on April 07, 2012, 02:20:27 pm

Title: Castration Query
Post by: MrsJ on April 07, 2012, 02:20:27 pm
I do the castrations for our lambs (lucky me) and although I dont like doing it, I've not really had any problems..... until yesterday.  I tagged, tailed and castrated and the poor little mite went bonkers, bleating really loud, rolling around on the ground and kicking his legs.  Usually, they either don't seem to even notice it, or they just go a little quiet and lay down for a while.  This one was clearly in pain and I removed the band.  I felt dreadful.  He responded well and this morning is bright as a button. I've sort of lost my nerve today and have let him and his mum out in the field so will have to catch him at some point and decide what to do. Any suggestions as to what I did wrong? 
Title: Re: Castration Query
Post by: colliewoman on April 07, 2012, 03:15:58 pm
Did you perhaps catch a nipple in the band also? Or caught a testicle in the ring rather than the ring sitting above them?
Saying that though, I did a friends sheep for him this year and had one lamb react as though a had electrocuted him, poor mite. I think some may just be more sensitive than others ;)
Title: Re: Castration Query
Post by: robert waddell on April 07, 2012, 03:43:32 pm
nobody knows what pain they are in    i think i will stop myself there :farmer:
Title: Re: Castration Query
Post by: shep53 on April 07, 2012, 06:29:42 pm
You did nothing wrong all living things react in different ways, lambs can walk away showing no pain to the extreme of writhing and rolling screaming ( tend to find the smaller the scrotum the more discomfort )
Title: Re: Castration Query
Post by: MrsJ on April 08, 2012, 06:50:04 pm
Thanks for the advive.  I'm going to have another go tomorrow so long as my nerve holds.  Fingers crossed! 
Title: Re: Castration Query
Post by: MrsJ on April 09, 2012, 04:37:34 pm
Hurrah! No problem at all today. Phew
Title: Re: Castration Query
Post by: colliewoman on April 09, 2012, 04:53:06 pm
Yay! Well done!
It's an unpleasant job at the best of times, an horribly daunting if you have to do it twice to the same lamb, so have a big pat on the back!!
 :trophy: :trophy:
Title: Re: Castration Query
Post by: marigold on April 09, 2012, 10:30:20 pm
yay well done.
there's much gritting of teeth when we undertake these jobs