[RonMinch]

Hi, I always struggle to get both testicle's in the rubber ring on my GFDs, does anyone have a sure fire method that would help me to ease the stress on the lambs and myself. I have in the past called on a local chap but he always seems to manage the task quite quickly. I had convinced myself I would be able to do it this year, any advice? Ron.

[Pasture Farm]

Im sure lots of people have struggled at some point. Always do the nuts first before doing the tail. One thing i will say is if the ring comes off and both nuts are not in then cut it off and leave it for a few hours, I pull the sack through the ring and then if the nuts are palying hard to get i keep the ring open with my right hand and then with my left hand and third and fourth fingers i squeeze right at the bottom of the sack making sure i can feel both nuts as i gentley close the ring pushing both nuts into the ring and then close the aplicator slowly, as you do this slowly pull the ring off and hopefully hey presto.

[ScotsGirl]

I think I do the same. I find it easier having someone else hold the lamb but if you grab shoulders between your knees so lamb dangles down with bum touching ground, pull sac through band, make sure nipples not caught, gently close with it pressing abdomen, if you use other hand to press behind band into sac you should see both testicles. Wen you close fully before removing the lamb usually thrashes (don't blame him!) so can be tricky on your own to check both there before removing from applicator.


Tim Tyne does a good step by step in one of the small holding mags with pics. Try googling it. I hate doing the castration and if I had the space wouldn't bother. Just makes it easier if you need to mix both sexes.


Best of luck

[Brucklay]

Up to this year it's always up to the local farmers for my boys - this year helping with lambing and have had plenty of practice - under supervision first till I was okay on my own - think you have go get you own technique but mine is similar to above.


I kneel, lambs front legs over left arm, my left fingers at base of scrotum pushing in slightly and I try to put my finger tips on the nipple so they don't get trapped, applicator in right hand, over and down to my left hand finger tips, release pressure, check all is in place, use left hand to flip ring off applicator and job done.


I have had the odd one I found impossible and asked the Farmer expert to do and so far he's always said they have not dropped yet so I'm. Thinking if something doesn't feel right then it's not right - good luck

[RonMinch]

Thanks for the replies, will try again tomorrow I am determind to get this right, I did dock the tail first so maybe this did not help. Will update on progress. Ron.

[Bramblecot]

Ron,  I am really struggling with some of my GFD lambs this year .  In the end I had to leave 2 of them entire (so that has sealed their fate).  They all seem to vary so much - some seem to descend early and others hang on to them! 
But I have found it better to do the tails asap as it seems to bother them less when they are very young - GFD tails get thick very quickly IMO.

[bricktop]

Morning, I've a few ram lambs and want to castrate this year. I guess its best to do this asap after birth, any ideas on maximum time after birth as I have two that will be two weeks old this weekend?
Thanks Mick
 

[RonMinch]

Hi Mick, I think you've missed the boat on this one. With the rings I think its within 7 days but prefer to do it sooner. I think after 7 days its  a job for the vet, although I do know of some that use the rings after this. Someone will confirm this soon. Ron.

[ScotsGirl]

Oops yes you are too late! They need castrating within 7 days and ideally sooner. I usually do at 24 hours maybe 48 if lamb not strong. Always do balls first then tail. It won't harm leaving them entire unless you wanted to keep as pets. They won't taste any different and your only issue will be separating from ewes.

[Backinwellies]

I'll try to decribe how I taught many a novice to castrate .... not easy in words .... if anyone lives within striking distance of Llandeilo I'm happy to do demo.   farmers do all this very fast,  I was a livestock teacher at a college for 21 years so learned to teach stepby step.

Firstly DONT touch sac .... instant withdrawl of testicles.   Have lamb held vertically as poss..(best way is to hold yourself. Put left foot on low step, lay lamb on leg and pin down with left forarm leaving hand free near testicles.)   

 Press down on 2 nipples firmly with fingers of left hand ( press firmly enough will push testicles into sac and ensures teats dont get caught.    Enlarge ring big enough to go over sac with out touching ..... bring elactrator up through lamb back legs (gives better angle of attach!) once over sac (and without moving fingers.... slowly allow ring to close as close to fingers as poss.... when closed (and before removeing elastrator!) use left hand to check both testicles are indeed inside and both teats remained outside.   Now comes the flick trick! ... flick elastrator away without alllowing it to open again.  double check at end.  (novices often make the mistake of pressing on handles of elastrtator as removing (which opens up ring with enevitable results) .... to prevent this  slide hand down elastrator towards the piviot point before flick.


I'd love to know if that description helped anyone ..... I could make a slide show I guess (but no lambs here yet)

Linda

[Backinwellies]

Always do tail second ..... cos if for some reason castration isn't completed this marks the un castrated ones

[RonMinch]

Thanks Linda, always sounds easier than it is, will give it a go tonight. Is the trick not to touch the sack prior to getting the ring on?

[maddy]

I can usually get the testicles in, then close the applicator but I have a terrible job trying to extract the applicator teeth from the band.  This is when the lamb/kid starts to shout.  I have tried putting vaseline on the end of the applicator but not much better.  Help!

[Backinwellies]

Yes Ronminch try not to touch sac.........  and it isn't easy  .... took me quite a few goes to get it right before I could break the task down to teach others.

Maddy ..... try this
1) ensure elastrator 'prongs' are towards lamb when putting ring on
2) When ring in place allow elastrator to close fully.
3) Slide hand down to piviot point of elastrator
4) 'flick' elastrator away from band (you may have left fingers on band at this time if it helps) ... trying to think of equivalent movement to describe better ..... bit like flicking beer bottle top off I guess?
always remember that the more time you take the worse it is for lamb so better to be firm and get on with it than try to 'do it gently cos you dont want to hurt it'

Any help??

[Calvadnack]

I had the same problem with a new applicator.  My neighbour came to help and couldn't use it either.  When he brought over his own applicator, his old one had much shorter prongs so the tricky flick off the end was much easier, especially on my tiny Shetlands.