[Jacob-list] docked tails

[Linda]

I banded (tails and testicles) for 12 years.  When I first banded, I followed the recommendation in Simmon's 'Raising Sheep the Modern Way', which set 9 or 10 days as the right time to band.  Lambs were in obvious distress when I banded tails and I never could get a good hold on the testes on 9 day old Jacob ram lambs.  Many a 'wether' at Patchwork during that first few years managed to lose his scrotum, but hang on to his testicles.  I did finally get the hang of castrating with bands (still can't get a good grip on the testes on a 9 day old ram), but very seldom castrate anymore, as the majority of my cull rams go into our own freezer and the rest go to an ethnic buyer that will only take rams for butcher.  My normal procedure for lambing is to allow the ewes to pick their lambing spots.  After lambing, I bring the ewe and lamb(s) into the barn for a day, check everything, worm the ewe, and (if I am going to dock the tail) dock within the first day or two.   Banding before three days old is way less traumatic than waiting for 9 days.  Lambs hardly seem to notice.   

Linda
www.patchworkfibers.com
Registered Jacob Sheep, Angora Rabbits, Handspun Yarn

On Tue, 01 Mar 2005 17:44:19 +0000, humbug7 at att.net wrote:
> I once questioned my vet about banding.  She shuddered and said
> "oh, the gangrene method".  Needless to say, I didn't attempt to
> band my lambs for many years.  Instead I paid the vet a goodly
> amount of money to come out and dock tails.  A burdizzo was used
> which crushes the tail and then it was cut off below the
> instrument.  Let me tell you that was often quite a mess.  Several
> times I almost lost a lamb when the artery was not sealed quite
> enough. 
>
> A friend gave me a free bander and bands.  Desperation in a poor
> economy (i.e. no money) led me to band my first lambs.  I did it at
> two to three days of age, gave antitoxin, and banded.  In warm or
> wet weather, I used stockholm tar or Purple Stuff to ward off
> flies. I observed that it was uncomfortable, but certainly not more
> uncomfortable than my vet's approach. 
>
> Needless to say, I now band as the cheaper alternative that in my
> experience was less painful than other methods I had seen used.  I
> also didn't have to worry about "bleeders".  I do keep a sharp eye
> out for infection and/ or fly problems.  Never had either one
> occur, but I do keep a watch out anyway.
>
> I do the long dock, not the short dock.  I do the long dock on my
> commercial border leicesters and have never had a judge throw my
> animal out for not have the "proper short dock".  In fact several
> commented that they liked seeing a long dock.  I feel that for
> showing purposes, the long dock will make the animal look longer
> and the hind quarters will look fuller at first glance (assuming
> the tail is relaxed).
>
> Kate Shirley
> Humbug Farm
>> -------------- Original message from Paintedrockfarm at aol.com: ----
>> ----------
>>
>> I firmly agree with keeping a docked tail within a reasonable
>> limit.  In West Virginia, there are restrictions in place to
>> prevent the severity of docking market lamb tails and those sheep
>> who are shown in our state's fairs and festivals.  I think club
>> lamb breeders would most certainly dock tails clear to their
>> shoulder blades, if they could.  Many horror stories could be
>> told about health issues directly related to overly docked tails. 
>>
>> MY PERSONAL PREFERENCE is to have the tail long enough to cover
>> both the anal and vulva regions. I personally do not like natural
>> length tails so I dock. I feel that a tail covering the anal and
>> vulva area is more appealing than a full length tail -- AGAIN MY
>> PREFERENCE.  Some shepherd's feel just the opposite and want
>> tails left on; after all they are born with them! I do not think
>> a docked tail Jacob is any less than a Jacob with a tail --
>> MERELY PERSONAL PREFERENCE.
>>
>> There is no physical need (in most cases) for a sheep's tail to
>> be docked.  AND I don't know of any physical need for the tail to
>> remain intact either but there may be one indeed and I'm sure
>> I'll hear about it!  I'm sure there are Jacobs who use their tail
>> to swat flies, much like a horse.  I have one ewe who routinely
>> plays with her tail, which is quite comical to watch actually. 
>> Tails or not, my Jacobs lift what they do have to urinate,
>> defecate and, in ewes, deliver lambs. 
>>
>> Not all shearers are familiar with tails.  Mine just mentioned is
>> easier not to have to work around them.  You know, the personal
>> preference thing!  I know my shearer would still come shear my
>> sheep with tails or not so its a non-issue really.
>>
>> My vet looks at banding differently than other vets might.  I
>> tend to agree with him -- banding is less stressful (painful)
>> than other methods.  He said his 22 yrs. experience in this area
>> has been more problems with cut off tails than banded ones. 
>> Perhaps it could have been the person doing the cutting!  Just
>> like doctors though, huh?  Always a different opinion! :)  I
>> personally have not had ANY health issues from banding but I'm
>> sure there are others who have. I take the recommended veterinary
>> precautions when we band at 3 days and move on.  Some shepherds
>> (and vets, for that matter) may prefer cutting the tail off
>> and/or then cauterizing it or dousing with antiseptic.  Most
>> shepherds save valuable time and money by doing a vast variety of
>> care taking chores themselves since shepherding involves day to
>> day care of the flock. An inexperienced or new shepherd may elect
>> to have a vet or more experienced person perform certain tasks
>> for them the first time. After all it is a learning process -- 
>> what works for one shepherd and flock may not work for another.
>>
>> I'm sure we would all agree, however, that docking or not and
>> method used is best left up to the shepherd(ess) and his/her
>> current situation.  Like Linda said -- you can always take it off
>> but really hard to put back on!
>>
>> Isn't this fun? :) -- Cheryl 
>>
>> Mike & Cheryl Terrano
>> Painted Rock Farm
>> Route 4 Box 726
>> Buckhannon, WV 26201-9205
>> (304) 457-6620
>> paintedrockfarm at aol.com