Castrating Goats: How, Why and When!

Castrating can be an intimidating part of owning a goat herd. My hope is that this instructional video helps give you the confidence to band your own goats at home and hopefully give unwanted bucklings a higher purpose.
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[@elainehinton2860]

It’s a ‘Drink a cup of coffee and see what Heather can teach me about goats’ Monday moment. Informative as always! Thank you!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Hahaha I love it!!♡♡ Thanks for watching!! ☕️

[@wenschbetty8655]

Hello, i saw your video 👍, can you please tell me the size of the elastic 🙏for your 6 month goat. Thank you

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

They are sold simply as castration bands. I've never seen them sized.

[@azharkareemee6949]

Thankyou very much 👍. From where to get this tool. 🇮🇳

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

We got ours at our local farm supply store, but you can find them online

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

The one I have works, I cannot speak for the Amazon pliers. We do not shop at amazon.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Disbudding (And Tattooing) Video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/on-Qh36XqduLfsU What else about goats seems intimidating? Do you have any other topics you'd like more clarity on?

[@dirtroaddestiny]

Great video!!😊

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thank you!@♡♡

[@acorncottage-gansclettfarm3335]

I have been so stressed about doing our lambs and baby goats. This is by far the best video I have come across. Thankyou!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I'm so glad to hear you say that, thank you!!! It's very nerve-wracking your first few times. Just take your time!

[@richardkibler3870]

I got to watch a big ol' Chester hog get castrated,It was not for the faint of heart that's for sure! The banding is a Very humane procedure for the goats,they are no worse for the wear of it. Thanks for the educational view of this,Cheers!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Oh my that's scary! I've castrated piglets but I couldn't imagine doing it on a big boar!

[@John-so5xw]

Amazing content as usual. Thank you

[@krsvanan]

I am from India, this is the first time I see an easy and bloodless method of castration.Surprised ! 🎉 What people do here is the old method. Your videos are very interesting and good learning.Please keep up the good work and share us more information about farming 🎉🎉All the very best

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thank you very much! alternative method for older animals coming soon

[@omax-sy8xp]

Thank you so much for being humane

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Absolutely!!

[@crayulmer2986]

thank you for the video. ARE there different size bands? WHAT size am I looking for?

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I've never seen more than one size. They are called castration bands and searching for that will bring up the right ones

[@KirstenGamertsfelder]

Thank you for this!!!! I have to do this to my baby Denver soon and I have been STRESSING about it 😭😭😭

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Take your time. If you absolutely need to you can get the band off with a razor (carefully) and redo it. Like if you catch a teat or something. I've done that.

[@georgeingridirwin6180]

WOW that was amazing. I expected much more complaining, both during & especially after.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Usually they do very well!! I've had some be a little more dramatic about it but they truly were fine!

[@bonnieneufeldt1814]

Goodness Heather, you are so very in tune with all your animals, and what they need or don't need. You are very informative, and even though I don't have a farm, or goats, or pigs, or bees, if I did... I would always watch & learn from you first!! Thank you for a very humane video!!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thank you so much!!! That means a lot!! ♡♡ Thanks for being here!

[@securethebag1613]

whats the purpose of castrating them? so that u dont have 100 goats in 5 years?

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Yes that's definitely part of it! Also when we sell them as pets they remain docile and friendly and their life expectancy increases by a lot.

[@securethebag1613]

​@SageandStoneHomestead Good day. I did my research after watchin ur video. Ppl also do this to the ones they plan on eatin because apparently the meat will stink and it will taste like urine if u dont castrate them

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Yes that's a reason too!

[@katiesimpson2580]

See I'm getting so much crap for banding at 10 weeks. I heard 8 to 10 weeks is a good time frame.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

It is. You'll get crap no matter what, people have grand opinions and really, 8 weeks is minimum. Older may be better but not all situations make that possible. Minimum standards are there for a reason. We have seen the boys "extend" at 8 weeks and that's all they need to breed.

[@jenniferr2057]

Ok. I misread this video title as it just rolled by. I THOUGHT it said "Goats: How, why, when?". And I thought, REALLY Heather, little late now, don't you think?" Lol.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

VERY late for that haha

[@alisoncarroll]

In the uk they don’t let you do any of this yourself, the laws we have are ridiculous. You even need a license to even have a goat

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Woah really? Usually the US is not for behind the UK for things. We will see what happens here over time.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I'm learning all sort of "goat stuff" from you! While we don't have goat, this was interesting. Cheers Heather!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thanks so much for watching!!

[@thehomesteadingmama]

Ugh this is definitely something I am not looking forward too as a homesteading newbie!😭 DEHORNING!! Another thing that would be a nice topic to hear about. Im not looking forward to that either. Such a sad moment!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/on-Qh36XqduLfsU I did some disbudding here!

[@nolliesteers3083]

Good job guys. Those little wethers are adorable. I wish I could have a couple. Lol. I'm too old but through you and other goat lovers I can have a little bit of goat joy. Lol. Don't mind me. I'm just a silly old grandma.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Haha we love having you here!

[@careystiger3312]

Is it safe to castrate than when they're 7 months old I have a male that I want to do that too so that maybe he can calm down will that help him calm down I want to keep him as a pet

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Yes we have loved this method for older males: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKOpZ5-EoLKAf6s

[@BritinieD]

I Have a goat I got recently that is about a year, am I still able to do this procedure with him?

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

No, but you might want to try the california bander instead. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKOpZ5-EoLKAf6s

[@redlanternhomesteadcathym105]

Well done! He was a trooper too.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

He did so great!!

[@HoneyHollowHomestead]

Now, if you are raising goats for the commercial meat market you want to be thoughtful on whether to castrate or not. Goat is consumed by certain ethnic groups that will look at a whether as being blemished. They prefer their male goats to remain intact. I do intend to castrate at least one young buck to keep as a whether this year because I sold all my males last year with the exception of my breeding buck. Boy did I regret that decision! I will base the decision on if the male is a good breeding candidate or not, and his personality. I would prefer that he be of poor quality for breeding, but with a friendly personality.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Wow that's very good to know about market meat!!! Thank you!!

[@sheilawixon3858]

I really love how much your goats love you. My favorite kind of animals. I cannot have them where I am at because of zoning, but my neighbor across the street is getting some, so I am sure I will get to play with them.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

The zoning doesn't cover your side of the street?! What a bummer!!

[@sheilawixon3858]

@@SageandStoneHomestead No he is agricultural and I am in a subdivision that used to be a huge farm, and we have the property where the old farm house was. I can have 4 chickens, no roosters. They made lots out of it to get more bang for the buck.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Oh I see. That's very interesting to be right on the line of agricultural farm land!

[@dianagallagher3891]

Heather amazes me in every vlog she puts out. She had so much knowledge ♥️

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Awe, thanks Diana!♡♡

[@papawnanasaveslovesnlife9530]

I kniw, I'm totally amazed with her knowledge 🗯👍❗... She's Awesome at anything we need to know 👏❤👏❗.. Thanks @Sage and Stone ~Heather for all ya do ✔💯❗

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

You guys are too sweet!! Thank you both ♡♡

[@yarngypsy5657]

I'm new to goats and inherited 11! I'm learning so much from you!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Congratulations!! I'm so glad you're here!

[@regalsurvivor3418]

Now I know where "all in a rut" comes from! :D

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Yes!!

[@GWPHomestead]

It’s time, “wether” he’s ready or not. I do not apologize for puns.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Hahaha that's perfect!! 🤣

[@sparkleflair]

Thanks for the instructional video. I don't think it will ever be something I need to do, but it was interesting! :)

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thanks for watching!!♡♡

[@janejones5362]

Something to topically numb the area would be perfect. Sounds like he was screaming "MOOOOM!!" Excellent vid 👍🏼

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I like the idea of the topical numbing agent! No idea what we would use though that wouldn't hurt the integrity of the band. I don't think anything oil based would be okay.

[@katiesimpson2580]

When do you get to put your wether with your other does? About to do this myself and trying to figure out when I can let them all together.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

We do it right away when they are babies like this. Mature bucks I would wait a week.

[@katiesimpson2580]

@@SageandStoneHomestead thank you!!!!! :)

[@0xXMagnusXx0]

Hello there, Amazing video!!! Ok, I have a huge question. I acquired my first ever goat, a 8 months old buck for breeding purposes but we were wondering that if we decided to castrate a rather old buck, what's the top age that this method would work?

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

It depends on their size honestly. I do have a video on castrating older bucks, let me find and link it, just a sec

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKOpZ5-EoLKAf6s

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

To answer your question the little green bands with the band stretcher is probably okay up to about 4-6 months old (no earlier than 8 weeks ideally), after that most bucks will have grown too large to fit.

[@janejones5362]

My friend and I used to clean for a lady that kept a house goat. No more baby aspirin sold in my area. We have "low dose" aspirin.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Oh, funny!

[@marykirn6336]

This Was Very Humane. So Happy I Watched This Video.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thank you so much ❤️🐐❤️

[@joeybaseball7352]

You eat your pets?

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

These are livestock.

[@sequita]

Thank you for uploading educational videos. God bless the farmers. ❤️

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thank you for watching!

[@merryanneadair4451]

Excellent video, Heather! I always use the banding method. Growing up I was always 'on call' to help my dad 'castrate' lambs. (The feedlot cattle too). We used the Burdizzo for many years on the lambs to both castrate & dock them. But after the first time using a bander, Dad said he'd never go back!! Definitely better!! I've even used it on young bull calves, though it doesn't take long for a calf to get too big for that! Thank you for another great tutorial! God bless!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I'm glad to hear it's what your dad preferred!!! I wondered if we'd ever want to try Burdizzo, possibly for an older buck someday.

[@realgonkulator]

We're fixin to wether a buckling for the first time, and this video was super helpful. Thank you for making this video, and hopefully our buckling will be cooperative for us.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Best of luck!

[@realgonkulator]

@@SageandStoneHomestead Thank you! It went well, and we'll have two more bucklings to wither in early August. Your video made it significantly easier.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I'm so glad to hear that!!! Thanks for letting me know!

[@highroad3580]

Exceptional video for banding. We have never had to keep goats for meat, usually selling all of our bucklings. However we realize that it could be something we want to do in the future. At what age do you harvest the wethers? Thanks!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Usually by 8-1010 months but we had some smaller goats this year from having a lot of triplet births so we are taking some out longer.

[@kabukidjoevlog959]

Hello ma'am..a blessed day... watching from Philippines @ ilocos Norte.. thanks alot for all your tips about castration. By the way I'm a new goat raiser almost 1year from now #happyfarming

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Hello and welcome!! We are so happy you are here and part of the goat-owning family!!

[@jbsprojects8186]

Thank you for your video it helped a lot and answer a lot of questions for me being a first time goat owner

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Glad I could help!

[@mandyg888]

Wow that was super simple!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Yes it's really easy and they tolerate it very well!

[@TatyPlaysGames]

me watching this living in los angeles california nowhere near goats :

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Well hello there! 😊

[@brendaflores813]

Love the info ! I didn’t see the aspirin dosage, could I get that ? Want to make my males pets asap .

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I think it is in the description of the video but if it isn't let me know and I'll dig that up for you!❤️

[@AdhikariHari]

How long does it take to transform intact male goat into wether so that the meat is not stinky…!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

30 days before butchering is what I've been told!

[@marissaumendoza]

Can you share where you purchased your tool and bands? Is it all one size? Thanks!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I got mine at our local farm store and they appeared to only have one size! I do know our neighbors have used the same bands before for their cattle.

[@kws13131]

Oh balls

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

All gone!

[@stanbattle7436]

I was glad to see you got the band on the little guy and not the bigger guy behind him.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Oh that would have been misplaced indeed lol

[@ngaoshonimikrii75]

Awesome, after 6 month we will cut or how?

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I haven't castrated a goat that age but I have friends who have and they use Burdizzo clamps.

[@madpun057]

Lol who really had the rubber band on the tool?

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

What do you mean?

[@kimberlyearly8918]

Hi Heather, I came back to this video because we are preparing to band our Nigerian soon. My brother can do it (and save me a vet fee) but he's only done it on his cattle. Are there different sizes? Clearly, a little Nigerian is not the same size as a calf so am just wondering if I need to buy a different one than what he uses. Thanks!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

No we got the bands from the farm store and they are all one size! Good question!

[@kimberlyearly8918]

@@SageandStoneHomestead Thanks!

[@tomcooke6670]

Thank you for a great video. We have a couple older males we now want to castrate. Can we still use your same procedure. Thanks

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

For older bucks use the California Bander. I don't have a video on it but there are lots out there!

[@tomcooke6670]

Thank you

[@rachaelvillatoro9080]

Thank You it was very helpful ❤

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

You're so welcome 😊

[@Scythe_Wrx]

She never put it in the pinned comments

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

It's been a while since I recorded. What was I putting in the pinned comment?

[@floraledet6973]

Omg he is adorable, I love his color. What state do you live in…do you sell to outside states? If you sell outside of local what is your procedure of how you do it? Im curious because by the Grace Of God I’ll be ready not long from now to start my herd and I’d love to start my herd from the channel’s I follow and I’d be honored to have a Sage n Stone baby and fully honored to meet you in person. Thanks in advance God Bless

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

We live in southwestern KY and I've sold out of state before! We have met people halfway (mileage fees) if the drive is a little far!

[@floraledet6973]

@@SageandStoneHomestead Awesome glad to hear…im soooo excited even more now😁

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

😍😍😍

[@marykirn6336]

I Was NOT Going To Watch This Video Because … Well I Did ! I Had A Very Good Loving Friend In Washington state Years Ago. Her Grandfather Was Genius As A Person Of Land & Animals. She knew how to band her male cat & did it with regular rubber bands. I Love You Deb !! Nobody Can Handle Being W/ Me. I Have To Be OK With That. Anyway, Heather & Deb, We Will Meet On The Other Side Soon Enough & Then None Of Us Will Be Lonely Again ‼️ 😅😊 ‘Like A Rock’ Seger Listen To This Song w/ Your HEART WIDE OPEN ♥️♥️♥️🥰😊😘😘

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Wow a cat! Did she need to put a cone on him?

[@marykirn6336]

@@SageandStoneHomestead No, Deb Did Not ! She’s Just Like You !! What That Means Is That You Two, The Both Of You Have This Wonderful Quality That I Find So Rare. Love You Heather Just Like I Love My Deb. I live up here now in NW Indiana. I have lost track of her but we are all going to the 2nd dimension soon. My primary female spirit guide has been helping me intensely since I was in utero. I can not tell more about it because, you just could not understand it yet. You’ll know when you get out of your body, like everybody else. I am so grateful to have found you on KZbin. Things Are Going To Change So Much ! IT IS GOING TO BE NOT BIBLICAL, BUT WHAT WE HAVE ALWAYS NEEDED ! ♥️

[@marykirn6336]

She knew how to very quickly perform this job. Somebody had to hold him. I saw the rubber band, in the right place ! I wish So Much that I could hang with your kind, you & Deb, such good people !

[@roberts3697]

Why can nobody handle being with you?

[@jonathanranan4925]

Full support

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

♥️

[@kimberlyearly8918]

I just got the little sister and brother to my first goats that are now almost a year old. My vet didn't want to castrate my buckling until he was beyond 8 weeks. I think we did it at 11. He said his sister wouldn't be able to get pregnant before then so it was fine. But, the little buckling I just got will be around his older sister who will now be able to get pregnant. These new babies are bottle babies just like my first ones were. Will I have to get my new one banded earlier?

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

It's definitely a risk beyond 8 weeks, if you don't want to band him early you may pen him up away from the girls at that age until he can be castrated.

[@kimberlyearly8918]

@@SageandStoneHomestead I'll see if my vet will do it at 8 weeks. I don't have a big barn where I can separate him. Just found your channel and subscribed!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Welcome to the channel!! Our vet will do it at 6 weeks which is a little early for sure and more risky. If the vet won't band the baby at 8 weeks and you don't have a place to put him at that age you can get the tools for doing it yourself at the farm store!!

[@kimberlyearly8918]

@@SageandStoneHomestead Yikes! I would be scared to do it lol. I've only had my first two Nigerian/mini nubians since last April so I feel like I might mess it up. Guess I'll have to see what the vet will do and go from there. Thanks for the replies!!

[@tomk4590]

I'd yell too, pal!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

😅

[@homeschool2homestead305]

Trying to find the "pliers" online. Can you share the kind you have? I did not see it in your storefront.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Right! I can't verify that amazon has the exact ones, these are the exact pair in the video that we use to this day www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-castrator-premium-bander

[@homeschool2homestead305]

@@SageandStoneHomestead Thank you so much!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Anytime!!

[@cindyboard7816]

In your thumbnail Levi looks quite sympathetic to the situation!! I guess it's a guy thing.😳😂 You did a wonderful job explaining and demonstrated the process perfectly. Thanks for sharing! I do have a question. Do the goats get ticks? In recent years I have been so surprised at finding ticks on my dogs during the winter months. Our Arctic Blast last month had me encouraged that at least the cold snap would kill off some of those unwanted pests. Then last week I found hatchling ticks crawling on my dogs! I grew up in this community and never remember finding a tick on my animals after a hard freeze. I have never heard you or anyone that has goats mention if ticks are an issue. Have a great week and stay safe!!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I've only seen them on Christine!! In general the goats seem to never have them besides her! Watch, this year we will have lots.

[@cindyboard7816]

@@SageandStoneHomestead That is very interesting!! I’ve even seen Pythons caught in the Everglades covered

[@cindyboard7816]

On videos that is!😂

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

WOAH that's insane!!!

[@LydiaBwalya-m8x]

Best video ❤

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thank you!!

[@trinityfarms9718]

Too young for that baby goat. It will interfere with his growth development. Disgusting and cruel !

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Vets have guided our decisions on method and timing. Thank you for your concern.

[@trinityfarms9718]

@@SageandStoneHomestead Hm’m yep also a vet would even say YES to put any health animal down by the clients request, and allow 2 year old horses to be ridden , yep . Oh did I forget for humans to get the vaccine?

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

@@trinityfarms9718 I'm not sure why you clicked this video if it's offensive to you but we appreciate the engagement anyway. I truly hope you have a happy week.

[@Heart-mv7ki]

Poor baby

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

He's such a happy pet now!

[@SoulAlmighty1660]

Cruel torturing your just doing this because you enjoy male baby’s in pain

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I'm doing it so he doesn't breed young females, and so his meat is sweet. Animal husbandry is what this is.

[@icubetutorial2523]

@@SageandStoneHomestead so causing pain to the animal just for the sweet taste for humans to enjoy

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

It has more than one purpose. Our intact bucks lifespan is 8 years because the stress if rut is hard on their body. Removing the testicles extends the lifespan of the animal if kept as a pet, they can live for 15 years. It keeps the meat palatable if they are to be eaten, and is a responsible part of breeding so animals are bred intentionally and at ages that are appropriate for their size and maturity. You can focus on whatever you want to to make the concept evil, but it's really an unavoidable part of good animal husbandry.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I want to point out too, that even veganism is full of pain and death for animals. We live next to big fields of corn And soy and the tractors do not care about the rabbit nests or baby deer in the field. The sprayers don't care about the fish in my pond or the bees on the flowers. We grow a lot of our own food and take immense pride in the fact that we take the hard parts of the task of living and eating literally into our own hands. You don't see the squashed rabbits that made the soy burger on your plate. I do. Arguably that's far more senseless than what I'm doing here.

[@icubetutorial2523]

I am in no way trying to offend you or prove you wrong . But I am a vegan and I don't promote animal husbandry economy but it is a lot of torture to the helpless animals . And the animal has not requested you to increase their lifespan by removing their organs what if someone would do that to us and without our wish prolong our lifespan , and they don't deserve the torture , the pain , vegetables , and fruits , all sorts of plants and leaves doesn't have a working nervous system or a spinal cord or any nerve tissues so they don't feel any pain at all after being cut , but that it is bare minimum a human can do to atleast survive because a human being deserves to survive . Coming to the pointers of irresponsible farming practices maybe done even by organic farmers which may disturb other life forms but that should be checked the local authorities, but it cannot be an excuse to the animal torture

[@IsmailKhan-ld7dw]

what the reason of doing this shit with the poor animals

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

They are easily sold as pets with this procedure and their meat also tastes much better. This is a farm.

[@musaibrahim2799]

I am a goats and sheeps farmer in Africa.... I can never try that on my lifestock... It not natural and inhumane

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

It's definitely a very viable option for those that need to castrate. We also like the California Bander.