When to disbud?

When Is the Right Time to Disbud? One of the biggest questions during kidding season...

Kidding season brings a lot of excitement—and a lot of questions. One of the most common ones I get asked is: "At what age should I disbud my goat kids?”

Here’s the truth: we don’t go by age. Every goat is different. Some are born with horn buds already peeking through. Others take a week or even a month to show signs. The key isn’t the calendar—it’s the bump.

You’re looking for a noticeable bump, something like the size and firmness of your knuckle. If the horn has already broken through the hairline, then generally, it’s too late to disbud effectively.

Disbudding is a time-sensitive task. When done correctly, it’s quick and to the point. I personally don’t believe in sedation or numbing the area. What I do believe in is preparation and good technique.

Here’s my routine:

• I make sure the kid has had a tetanus shot.

• Then I go ahead and disbud.

• I finish with a light spray of AlumShield on the area.

• And that’s it.

Usually, by the time we set them down, they’re already bouncing back to the bottle or running to momma. It’s often the owners who are more upset than the babies themselves.

Now—just to be clear—I’m not here to debate the pros and cons of disbudding in this post. That’s a different conversation. This is simply about how to know when the time is right.

So keep your eyes on those horn buds. Watch for the bump, not the birthday. And trust your timing—because with disbudding, it matters.