[SueAllen]

Just castrated our first ram lamb (2.5 days old)  We have been shown this and practiced it too under the supervision of an experienced friend.  When we did theirs there were several lambs outside with their mothers and I only saw them run back to mum after they were done.  We have brought ours in to the field shelter at night and did the lamb there.  He is lying somewhat stressed, keep kicking his back legs out and getting up and lying down.  I imagine this is normal, given the amount of discomfort he must be feeling but would be nice to have someone put my mind at rest.  We are 100% confident that the ring is correctly positioned.  Any experiences/thoughts shared would be helpful. 

Just reading some of the posts about NOT castrating and considering this for any further ram lambs we might have.

[cairnhill]

HiSueAllen

I had twin boys ringed on Tuesday afternoon when they were 5 days old.  They were in obvious discomfort and kept lying down then getting up and kicking their legs.  This went on for about an hour or so.   They eventually settled down but were quiet for a couple of days and seemed to be walking with stiff back legs.  Today they are much better and running about playing,climbing and jumping. 

[Moleskins]

I've got a feeling the experience must be like getting a 'Chinese Burn' (remember them from school ? ) I think the best thing to do is carry out the job and then not to stand there looking and feeling guilty about doing it.
I've got one that I can't do because the 'stones' are very high up. Either it'll be a vet job or I won't bother, I must admit to not being very keen on the task, if I could leave them I would.

[SueAllen]

Thanks Cairnhill.  That does help put my mind at rest.  And Moleskins - you are exactly right and we have the same problem too.  I did stand there looking at it and feeling sorry for it!  And we have another one with very high up stones and are leaving it until tomorrow morning.  It isn't something I relish doing either.......   But I am sure we will get used to it.

[doganjo]

if I could leave them I would.

Any reason why you can't leave them if they are going to slaughter?  Don't have sheep, never have, just curious

[Moleskins]

The problem is, if he doesn't make slaughter weight by the Autumn he would be kept until next year as a store lamb.
At that time he would be fully functioning and would go merrily on his way round the other female store lambs, come the Spring when they were due to be slaughtered, they would be in lamb.

[Freddiesfarm]

From the commercial perspective as well they tend to me more likely to make the weight when castrated rather than putting all their energy into hormones and extra bits  and being all macho with the other boys.

If you do it quick and fast and always ensure there are 2 balls in the bag once you have released the band there are rarely problems - failing that you could always go down the clamp route which they do with cattle and wait until they are a certain size and squish their balls to make them non functional and that really must hurt!

[MrsJ]

I have cringed every time I've done it, and moan every time we have a ram lamb, but it does get easier with practice.  As with anything, the more you do, the more confident you become.

[SueAllen]

Thanks all.  It's early days of lambing for us so all comforting words gratefully received.