[sheepgirl1]

Hi all
I’ve been researching castration with the elastrators and am coming at you with a hypothetical situation here. What would happen if you applied the band but the stones weren’t contained inside? Would this still be an intact ram? is this even possible? Bit nervous for my first time doing things over here

[twizzel]

The lamb would be a rig, and potentially able to get ewes pregnant, although with the stone being inside the body some argue that the higher temperature would render them infertile- but not worth trying to find out ! If you need help can a neighbouring farmer show you, or failing that your vet would be able to help.

[SallyintNorth]

Yes rigs can get ewes pregnant.  Usually happens when the winter temperature drops below -10C.  (We and several other local farms all had unexpected lambs on May 11th one year!  lol.  When we checked, it had dropped below -10C on Dec 15th the previous year.)

When you ring them, don't remove the elastrators unless you are sure you have both stones.  Then check that you have both stones again after you remove the elastrators and before you release the lamb, and if you don't have 2 stones, cut the band off and try again the next day. 

[Fleecewife]

As Sally says, but make sure you have a very sharp pair of scissors with you before you start, to cut the band off quickly of you get it wrong (Swiss Army scissors are quite good)


The quicker you can get the band on, the less time the lamb has to retract his testes.  You'll get the hang of it soon enough  .

[Backinwellies]

Always feel that you have 2 testicles trapped by band, and that both teats are free from band before you release lamb.

Castration isnt  job to learn from U tube in my opinion ....   I used to teach this for 20 years at a college and still have one or two a year which I struggle with

....last year I had to leave 2 for the vet their testicles were just to small at 7 days old._ ... tip here is if you leave entire to be done later leave tail long too .... then you dont forget with drastic consequences!