Three ram lambs were bought by people who would like them to look beautiful in their fields. Today was the last day for them to be full boys. They will be much easier for the new owners to handle and keep if they loose their ability to create testosterone.

So out into the field to bring in all the ram lambs, finding the ones that the new owners have chosen.

Ram Lambs Penned on the Lane to Sort

Ram Lambs Penned on the Lane to Sort

It is a very hot day so we don’t want to stress the lambs out too much so try to do it as easily as possible in a shady part of the lane.

Lambs Gathered into the Shade to Check Ear Tags

Lambs Gathered into the Shade to Check Ear Tags

We soon catch the 3 lucky boys placing them into the trailer.

Apollo, Ambrose & Aloysius

Apollo, Ambrose & Aloysius

Once we double check their ear tag numbers against those that are on the sales docket the rest of the ram lambs are let back out into the field.

Ram Lambs Trotting Back into the Shade

Ram Lambs Trotting Back into the Shade

I bring the 3 boys up into a small shady paddock to await the vet.

3 Boys for Castration

3 Boys for Castration

Apollo Peering through the Temporary Trailer Roof.

Apollo Peering through the Temporary Trailer Roof.

Ambrose Giving Me the Eye

Ambrose Giving Me a Questioning Eye

Aloysius Forever Smiling

Aloysius Forever Smiling

They are released for a few hours before the vet comes to settle them into their temporary paddock.

Released into shady Paddock

Released into Shady Paddock

Why you ask, do I call these 3 boys lucky to get castrated? Well the long and short of it is, those that are not sold for breeding are sold for eating. I only save the very best ram lambs for selling on to breeders. So these 3 boys were destined for the deep freezer, but are now going to have a wonderful long life grazing in green fields.

Collecting in the Boys for the Vet

Collecting in the Boys for the Vet

The vet has arrived so now it’s time to say good by to potential fatherhood.

Trotting off to Castration

Trotting off to Castration

To castrate lambs as late as this you need a tool called a Burdizzo Castration Forceps or what some people call the nut cracker. This tool is used for the emasculatome method which is the least painful and bloodless way to castrate ram lambs. This tool is used to crush and rupture the spermatic cords which must be done one side at a time. With this technique, the scrotal sac will remain on the animal but the testicles will atrophy with in it.

The first thing to do is to flip the lamb and hold him firmly in a relaxed position. The vet or assistant then pulls down the testicles finding the 2 spermatic cords under the skin.

Once found you separate them so you can do one at a time.

Finding the Spermatic Cord

Finding the Spermatic Cords & Separating them

Place the clamp over the spermatic cord one-third of the way down the scrotum.

Hold Cord in Place While Placing Forceps in Position

Hold Spermatic Cord in Place While Placing Forceps in Position

Always check the position of the spermatic cord before and after each clamping.

Once Cord is in Position Close Forceps

Once Spermatic Cord is in Position Close Forceps

 Clamp down and hold for 15 to 20 seconds.

Release the clamp, reposition it over the spermatic cord one-half inch lower and repeat the procedure, hold for another 15 to 20 seconds..

Hold for 15-20 Seconds

Hold for 15-20 Seconds

When you have crushed spermatic cord twice on the one side you then do the same again on the other side of the scrotum.

The pinching of the Burdizzo Castration Forceps does not draw any blood as you can see from the photos below.

The Markings Left Behind from Emasculatome Castration

The Markings Left Behind Directly After a Emasculatome Castration

This photograph I took a few minutes later and still no blood.

The Markings Left Behind from Emasculatome Castration

The Markings Left Behind a Few Minutes After a Emasculatome Castration

Just to Keep the Flies Away We Spray the Pinch Marks

Just to Keep the Flies Away We Spray the Pinch Marks

All 3 ram lambs get an injection of  long acting antibiotic as well as some anti inflammatory pain killers. They will feel very sorry for themselves for about 24 hours but should be looking quite themselves by late tomorrow. There might be a bit of swelling in the area of castration but that is to be expected.

3 Very Sad Boys With Tails Between Their Legs & a Humped up Behind

3 Very Sad Boys With Tails Hanging Low & Humped up Behinds

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