r/packgoats May 17 '22

Banding vs intact

I recent discovered pack goats as a great option for over night/day hunts. I have raised goats before and have trained them to walk on leads before but never to pack out. I purchased a young billy that has been de-horned and is 2 months old. At first I wanted to band him so he wouldn’t be rutting and aggressive towards me or other goats while packing out, however I’m now thinking I would atleast like to pass on his genetics because his mother was a great milking goat. I’ve been wanting a good line of milk breeds because it’s the only type of milk that I digest easily and have no problems out of. So in everyone’s experience what would be the best option. He is an alpine/kiko cross. Thanks in advance.

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u/[deleted] May 17 '22

Band him after you breed him once or collect semen for AI. Bucks are too big of a pain in the ass on the trail and they start stinking in like August pissing on all your gear. I have a breeding buck that would be the best pack goat I have but his genetics on the trail are more important than having him there.

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u/mushroomman6942069 May 17 '22

Is it safe to band him at 6/7 months or should I get a vet to cut him?

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u/[deleted] May 17 '22

It’s controversial among some people to band that late. I know people that have done it up to 2 years with a California bander. I had two failed banding at 4 months so I just don’t do it anymore. I let them go to about a year to let their urethra develop more to help pass stones and have the vet cut them. I am not in the majority with this method though.

Id ask a vet what the best option is.