Scurs: Banding vs... a saw?

995 Views 7 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Boer Mama, Apr 6, 2022

FarmerDad

Discussion Starter · Feb 20, 2022

I just got a buck, a very pretty buck. He's got scurs. The breeder said something like, "you know, you can just use a wire saw if they're an issue". Wire saw? So I come to the fount of all goat wisdom and search. Sure enough, people talked about wire saws, but they also talked about banding. So if I wanted to get rid of these scurs, which is the best way? The scurs themselves don't bother me but we are thinking about showing him which, from what I understand, means even the scurs have to go. Best case is if the scurs don't come back, but it sounds like that's random chance. So, which is best?

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happybleats

· #2 · Feb 20, 2022 (Edited)

We used horse nippers to keep our guys scours down. It depends on their shape and size. You don't want the scars to grow into his head or face so trimming is needed. A wire saw works.. got to secure him well and be fast. Nippers were quick but we did often so never to hit blood and he got used to it some what.
To show you can have scurs.just trimmed I believe

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FarmerDad

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 20, 2022

happybleats said:
We used horse nippers to keep our guys scours down. It depends on their shape and size. You don't want the scars to grow into his head or dance so strumming is needed. A wire saw wirks..works.. got to secure him well and be fast. Nippers were quick but we did often so never to hit blood and he got used to it some what.
To show you can have scurs.just trimmed I believe

scurs dance? Does that mean "be loose"? Also, I'm going to assume "strumming" was spell check's way of saying trimming?

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happybleats

· #4 · Feb 20, 2022

Ugh..I really hate my phone thinking it knows what I mean!! I fixed it..sorry.

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Goats Rock

· #5 · Feb 20, 2022

To get rid of the scurs, unless they are loose and wiggly- only held on by the skin, ( yank off with a pair of channel locks),
you will have to band them. They will either not come back or grow really slowly. But, the banding may make the buck lose
a bit of condition, depending on how stressed he gets. (just in case you plan to show really soon).

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MellonFriend

· #6 · Feb 20, 2022

I've used a wire saw (also called an OB saw or a camping saw), but it takes a lot of effort to saw them off. I much prefer to use a lopper like one you use for pruning a tree. Just one quick cut and it's over. You have to be sure to really secure the buck's head so he doesn't move around while you are cutting. The goal would be to cut off just enough to keep it from growing into his head, but sometimes you'll get down to the quick and it will bleed. If you go this route definitely have some sort of blood stop ready.

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Jessica84

· #7 · Feb 20, 2022

I use tree loppers. I like over and done with not drawn out

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Boer Mama

· #8 · Apr 6, 2022

Good to know- I’m getting a buck later in the year and he’s got some scurs growing back so I’m glad to have found this thread with info from all of you knowledgeable people! 🍀🍀🍀

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