Skip to main content

Docking Lambs Tails





Docking is the shortening of the lambs tail. A high percentage of farmers dock their lambs tails.
The sheep's tail protects its udder and vulva from weather extremes.
Some buyers do not like a docked lamb they prefer undocked especially some ethnic buyers.
Not all breads of sheep need to be docked, some breads have short tails such as the Icelandic and Shetland.
The docking of the lambs tail prevents fecal matter gathering on them.Docking the tail reduces the occurrence of wool maggots.
A lambs tail should be docked before they are 6 weeks of age.
You should not dock a wet lamb or in wet conditions to prevent infections.





The most popular and known as safest way to dock a lamb is to use RUBBER RINGS known as Banding

  • The lamb will experience some pain for 10 to 20 minutes
  • It is the best method for lay people
  • You use rubber rings and an elastrator tool to apply the rings
  • Be hygenic and do the procedure in a clean area to prevent infection
  • The tail is pulled through an open elastic band,it is released and then tightened on the tail cutting of the blood supply to the tail
  • The tail falls off after a week or two
  • Do not dock a wet lamb
  • The lambs can be given lidocaine to reduce the pain
  • The use of the rubber rings is called banding
  • The lamb needs to be protected against tetanus before docking





It is important not to dock the lambs tail too short as it could lead to the death of the lamb. It is reccomeded to leave enough tail to cover the ewes vulva and the rams anus.
If the tail is too short it will cause rectal prolapse because the musles and nerves of the anus of the lamb are damaged. It is also thought that vaginal prolapse can occur with too short a tail.



Comments

  1. MATINAJune 12, 2021 at 4:19 PM


    I started on COPD Herbal treatment from Ultimate Life Clinic, the treatment worked incredibly for my lungs condition. I used the herbal treatment for almost 4 months, it reversed my COPD. My severe shortness of breath, dry cough, chest tightness gradually disappeared. Reach Ultimate Life Clinic via their website www.ultimatelifeclinic.com . I can breath much better and It feels comfortable!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Electrolyte For Sick Lambs

Electrolytes are responsible for keeping the body hydrated so that the muscles and nerves can function properly. Electrolyte solutions help restore electrolytes lost by the lamb during sickness due to dehydration. Its best to feed electrolytes 30 minutes before or after feeding as electrolytes slow down the digestion of milk. You can purchase electrolyte tablets and solutions from your vet or you can try home made electrolyte. Commercial electrolyte solutions are preferred over homemade. A well made fluid electrolyte will be able to replace the fluid and electrolytes lost during scouring. It will prevent excessive dehydration which is a leading cause of death in sick lambs. A dehydrated lamb is an almost dead lamb. Home Made Electrolyte Recipe 1 Quart Water 2 Ounces of Dextrose(corn syrup) 1/2 Teaspoon of Salt 1/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda Before you give the lamb the electrolyte ensure that that the lamb is not chilled. Mix the electrolyte with warm water. Try to g
44 comments
Read more

Sheep Lambing Signs

In the hours before the ewe gives birth there are some noticeable signs that she is in labour. The ewe will be uneasy and show signs of sickness. No two ewes show the exact signs but there are many common traits. Its vital that you are aware of the signs so that if there is need for intervention you are on site. Check your ewes every four hours so that if a ewe is having difficulty she is not left to struggle too long on her own. Some ewes can be quite dramatic in the hours up to the birth and some can be quiet relaxed. I have seen a ewe that every year would clear the rest of the ewes out of the shed while she was in the process of lambing.   Signs of Lambing   The ewes udder will be bagged out a few days or a week before she is about to give birth. It becomes bigger and harder the closer to birth. The teats will stand out about a day before lambing. The belly sinks also around the day before birth. The vulva will get pinker and more swelled. Hollow area a
2 comments
Read more

Bloat In Lambs

The main cause of bloat is thought to be a bacteria sarcina ventriculi. Warm milk entering the stomach creates perfect substrate for fermentation. From the fermentation of the bacteria excess gas is produced causing the expanding of the stomach. This aggressive bacteria lives on lactose. This bug is everywhere and is easily picked up by the lambs. The bloated stomach of the lamb can rupture killing the lamb. The other organs can also be crushed. Abdominal bloat in young lambs is clinically diagnosed by dissension abdomen especially the right side. Bloat can also be caused due to a lack of colostrum and over feeding.   Prevention You should really try to prevent this terrible loss by good farm management. Most farmers seem to loose their bummer lambs to bloat when they are 4 weeks old. Don't feed the lamb too quickly every 10 seconds you should stop and resume feed. The hole in the teat should not be too big. The strong sucking of t
72 comments
Read more