Using an elastrator

[Boondox]

Okay, what's the trick? I gave this a couple of tries on poor Weasley the wannabe ram this past weekend, but had to keep cutting them off because one side or the other would sneak back to safety when I released the band! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif The idea is to castrate the little fella, not turn him into a one nut wonder! I've heard elastrators are easier than the surgical method. How do you old timers do it? Pete

 

[JerryG]

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifThats funny. I got a good laugh. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
As far as what you are doing or doing wrong, I would guess that you are not holding the want-a-be still enough.

 

[cowboydoc]

Although I've never done a ram I've done more calves than I can count. The mistake most people make is you have to grab hold and pull down. Don't be gentle. You aren't going to tear them. Take the thumb and forefinger and pull down pretty hard. Pinch them there. Then with your free hand slip the band over your finger and thumb. Drop the banders and then slide the band down off your finger and above the family jewels. Make sure when you pinch that you leave a 1/2" or so to have plenty of room to slide the band back on.

 

[beenthere]

Just remember (you probably are finding out already!) that that "wannabe" is going to be harder to catch each time after you 'miss'. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The lamb breeder (and showman at 6 state fairs in the 50's from Iowa) that I worked for would always (while I held them) snip the end of the sack off, squirt one at a time out of the sack, take it in his teeth to pull it (keeps the manure off), and cut the cord. It was a process that didn't take long. Interesting to watch, but a bit uncomfortable when you were standing so close. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[daedong]

I would suggest that you may be a little too delicate . place the ring over the bag (scrotum) fully expanded with the prongs of the expander towards the lamb get the testis through the ring, once you have them on the opposite or outside of ring squeeze the testis as hard as you can towards the end of the bag and push ring towards body at the same time ,then release the handle /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[LarryRB]

I'm a bit surprised with all these farmers that obviously know what they're telling you, that none, suggested, if your not sure, test it once on yourself. I go hide in bunker now.. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[riptides]

After reading your post, I have to go take a walk to settle myself down.

YEOUCH.
-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[rockinmywaypa]

Boondox What I do is take the lamb and hang him between my knees so that his head and shoulders are above my kneecaps and his nuts are hanging down with gravity doing all the stretching. Then since I'am right handed I use my right elbow to hold his front legs to the side out of the road. Then lift the stretchers up over the scrotum and lift against the body a little, ease off on handles and count to two. If you can only get one repeat last step. Now slide ring down a little but keep it snug so that the nipples are left untouched and enough skin is left so that it isn't stretched too much to heal well. Remove pliers and then if you're squeamish or soft in the heart walk away and don't look back because the lamb will be uncomfortable for 5 to 10 minutes. I generally do them in a group when they are 5 to 7 days old, the raisons have usually descended better by then and the springback into the body is lessened when applying the ring. As in shearing the way you hold them makes a lot of difference between ease and struggle.

 

[dmccarty]

Mike Z said, "After reading your post, I have to go take a walk to settle myself down."

You mean you can actually get out of your chair? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'm afraid to move..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Later,
Dan

 

[Youare]

This reminds me of an experience my son had with a bull calf he purchased fullly equiped. We had altered a couple of goats with the rubber bands with very good luck.

I always got the wife to do the banding while I did the holding. Some how she didn't have the same point of reference for the emotional pain in thinking of what was happening here.

My son and his friend waited unitl the calf got a little too big when he tried to alter the bull. He told me they put a rubber band on but didn't think it was quite right. Mother and I went out to check on the situation.

He was right, we quickly cut the misplaced rubber band off. Several weeks later he called the vet to come do the job correctly. As my son held the calf for the vet the vet was half done when he looked at my son and said I forgot to tell you we have a two for one deal today, after I finsh the cow you can be next. It will keep you out of trouble.

Randy