Chapter 10 - Guidelines for Sheet & Goat Husbandry

Question 1

What light level should sheep and goats be housed at?

Answer 1

220 lux

Question 2

When should tail docking in sheep be performed? When is it not necessary? Where should docking be performed at? Should goats be tail docked?

Answer 2

Before 2 weeks or age, or with local anesthesia after that time. Necessary unless life span is limited to season when fly infestations are unlikely. Tails docked at site of attachment of the caudal folds to the tail. Goat kids have erect tails, should not be docked.

Question 3

What are the three methods of castrating rams and bucks? When should castration occur? If castration or tail docking is performed in sheep older than 3 months of age, what special precautions should be taken?

Answer 3

1. Rubber rings; 2. Crushing spermatic cord with an emasculator (Burdizzo); 3. Surgical removal of testes
   Castrate lambs and kids between 24 h and 7 days
   If >3 months, major surgery and requires use of analgesia and anesthesia

Question 4

When should dehorning be performed in goats? What is recommended for adults? Should sheep be dehorned?

Answer 4

At less than 1 month, using cautery when possible. General anesthesia or sedation and local anesthesia for adults. Not recommended in sheep

Question 5

What is mulesing? When should it be done?

Answer 5

Surgical procedure in merrino sheep to remove wrinkled, wool-bearing skin and reduce fly strike. Common in other countries, not the US, and should not be done.

Question 6

Name sheep and goat euthanasia options. What additional options exist for neonatal kids and lambs?

Answer 6

Overdose of anesthetic or injection of a euthanasia solution, penetrating captive bolt and exsanguination, or careful lethal gunshot to head.
Nonpenetrating captive bolt for neonatal kids and lambs.