Castrating Ram Lambs - Wethers

There are several methods for castration of lambs and for the few time a year I might need to do this I prefer using bands.

Why castration?

The reason for needing or wanting to castrate rams is simply to prevent them from breeding while letting them run and foriage with the ewes waiting for a time to cull them for meat. When managing a strict breeding program the shepherd will generate about the same number of rams as he does ewes. And since a single ram can service as many 25-30 ewes, there are few reasons to keep more than a couple rams to preserve several genetic lines and prevent inbreeding. And these rams can be kept in a small pasture away from the flock until needed.

Banding is a method by which a tight rubber or latex band is placed around the rams scrotum containing the testicles. Once applied the testicles and scrotum loose blood flow, wither, and fall off while the skin above the band mends and pulls tight once again. The band does present a certain amount of pain initially but after a few minutes the nerves deaden for lack of bloodflow and the ram settles down.

Banding does have some risk of infection caused by the withering scrotum. Growth of an anaerobic 

bacteria Clostridium tetani produces a toxin we commonly know as Tetanus. Untreated, the toxin can cause animals to become stiff, have labored breathing, increase pulse rates, suffer sensitivity to heat and light, and spasmodic contractions over the entire muscular system and closing the jaw tight; hence the term "Lockjaw". This eventually leads to death. Unlike humans, this antitoxin is only effective for 7 to 14 days in sheep and is normally only used when an animal suffers a large wound - and such is the case with castration. 

To prevent a tetanus infection, banded rams must be first vaccinated with Tetanus Anitoxin (equine origin) subcutaneously (beneath the skin). These vaccines are generally packaged and sold in 1,500 unit doses (approx 3 ml) ranging in price from $3.25 - $4.00 each. This is a single dose. With the accompanying syringe and 22 gage needle, each injection costs about $3.75 - $4.50 which is quite expensive for larger operations.

Green bands are sold in packaged of 100 for about $3 and the applicator sells from $13 - $35 depending on the quality and material the tool is made; stainless being the most costly.