[Castlehill Farm]

Hello All,

What are your views on castrating or not male boer goat Xs that will be going for meat?

Regards,
Ian.

[Lesley Silvester]

If you don't castrate, you will have to keep them well away from any females. I think they will grow more if they are entire.

[smudger]

So at what age will the meat have 'taint' if left entire?

[sokel]

We ringed all of our 50% Boer males and they have gone for pets/companions and the ones we have kept are for meat

[Anke]

I will ALWAYS ring any male goat kid that I thought wasn't good enough for breeding at disbudding time (or was too close in pedigree to the majority of my females, so would be too risky too keep), it just makes life easier - they can be kept with the main herd (either bottlefed as I do or running with the females and self-wean if meat breed), you only need one field/shed/day-time shelter, no smell and you can rear them for as long as you feel necessary and not have to slaughter when too smelly/trying to get to females etc etc.
 
Much less hassle all round!

[kja]

having done both entire and castrated goats for meat I would castrate every time ( only done entire males after taking them on from others). you can detect the smell whilst cooking (not nice) ok for curried goat but that's about it.

[Penninehillbilly]

They certainly 'beef up' quicker thaN castrated, and I kept my boy intil February, when his smell went, and the meat isn't at all strong or 'goaty'. 2 of the boys I didn't get to ring are running with an older entire for his company, hopefully they will be away before smelly season.

[Castlehill Farm]

Hi All,

Thanks for your opinion on this and has given me food for thought!