How to Band a Goat

Male kids can be banded just days after birth.

Goat castration is commonly done by a technique called "banding." Banding is a quick and bloodless way to castrate young male goats or kids. Because there is no open incision, the risk of infection is greatly reduced. Before attempting to band a goat, make sure you can feel both testicles in the scrotum. If you are unable to locate both testicles, you may have to wait a week and try to locate them again. The Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences recommends giving a tetanus shot to goats before banding.

Things You'll Need

• Elastrator pliers
• Bands
• Iodine or disinfectant approved for use on animals

Instructions

1. Stand the goat in a comfortable upright position. This will make it easier to locate the testicles.

2. Apply pressure to the abdomen if needed. This will force the testicles down into the scrotum

3. Paint the entire area of the testicles and scrotum with iodine.

4. Place a band in the elastrator pliers.

5. Squeeze the elastrator pliers to test the band. This will ensure the band is on correctly and will not come off while banding the goat.

6. Push both of the goat's testicles through the band until the band is located at the very bottom of the scrotum. Make sure both testicles are below the band.

7. Place your hand above the scrotum and squeeze off the sack to make sure the testicles do not slip up and out of the scrotum.

8. Release the handles of the elastrator pliers and use your free hand to pull the band off the prongs.

9. Reapply iodine or disinfectant to the scrotum and banded area.

10. Force the goat to walk and move around to reduce swelling.

11. Check the banded area every two or three days to be sure there are no signs of infection. Reapply iodine or disinfectant.

Tips & Warnings

• Disinfect your hands and any utensils you are using before banding your goat.

• If you are unable to get both testicles through the band, withdraw the testiclators and wait a couple days before trying again.

• The testicles will fall off within two weeks of being banded.

• Never band only one testicle or you will unintentionally make your goat a cryptorchid.

• Do not place the band too high near the goat's abdomen or you may cause a rupture.

References

• Goatwisdom: Castrating
• Penn State College of Veteranary Medicine: Castrating Male Kids

Resources

• Goat World: "Diagnosing and Treating Banding Infections"