[Shoeey]

Hi all, first time posting in the forum, so hello!

I wanted to ask when it's too late to castrate using the elastrator. I've recently taken on a group of cade lambs and one of the males has not been castrated. He's about three months old. Is that too old? He will need to run with the female lambs until Sept/Oct so does need doing. Thanks

[twizzel]

Band is only legal in first 7 days of life so yes far too old. You’ll need the vet to castrate him now.

[landroverroy]

I wouldn't worry too much. To get a vet to castrate at 3 months old is not economically viable (and to use a rubber ring at that age would be unspeakably cruel.)
If you're only running him with ewe lambs till @ Sept then they are highly unlikely to get in lamb because the females are not mature enough. If you were running him with ewes it would be another matter.
But presuming he was born in March and you keep him on good grass then he should be fat enough and ready to go well before September.

[EP90]

If the above options dont suit you could take him to the vet to be Burdizzo ‘d.  Quick, painless and cheap @ €15.
Just an option if all else fails.

[Derbyshire Hillbilly]

My vets said its fine to use bands up to around three weeks old - but they can't do it because its not recommended.

[shep53]

The LAW states that only a vet can castrate a lamb over 3mth's old and that rubber ring's can be used over 1week old if an anaesthetic if used

[Shoeey]

Thanks all - you've been very helpful!

[Backinwellies]

My vets said its fine to use bands up to around three weeks old - but they can't do it because its not recommended.

bit worried about your vet .... Law is very clear here ... 7 days max!

[Womble]

Under the Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Act 1954, as amended, it is an offence to castrate lambs which have reached three months of age without the use of an anaesthetic. Furthermore, the use of a rubber ring, or other device to restrict the flow of blood to the scrotum or tail, is only permitted without an anaesthetic if the device is applied during the first week of life.


Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, as amended, only a veterinary surgeon may castrate a lamb which has reached the age of three months.


Under Schedule 4 of The Prohibited Procedures on Protected Animals (Exemptions) (Scotland) Regulations 2010, as amended, only a veterinary surgeon may carry out surgical castration on sheep.

The full source of the quote is here, albeit Scottish. However, the acts quoted are UK acts, so I think must apply throughout the UK.