The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: Nicolavickers on June 24, 2015, 09:01:05 am
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Hi we have 2 brother & sister pygmy goats with horns, we have only had them about a month and they are 7 months old. Problem is they are hurting each other with their horns. couple of times they have had a cut to the face. We also own ouessant sheep had them 4 years and we are trying to get them used to each other but i don't want our sheep to get hurt in the process. Can we remove their horns and if so how?
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Dehorning a goat is a major operation. Only a vet could do it and it would leave large holes (exposing the skull so I understand) - not to be recommended. Disbudding can be done at about 4 days only by a vet. Either you will have to manage them or sell them and get some disbudded. I am surprised they are hurting each other with their horns unless they stick up all over the place. My boers, bagots and angoras don't have that problem. Good luck
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Stop worrying, it's natural for a bit of butting, I am sure they will be fine, agree with cuckoos comments
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You could try taping the ends of the horns so not so sharp or perhaps tennis ball on the end of the horns- trial and error to see what may stay on the tips. I agree with what others have said too late for vet to dehorn and as they are still young they may not have established a pecking order yet so should settle down.