one horned goat?

[Gussychick]

Hi all! I have 3 six week old goats that were debudded at the dairy farm I bought them from. One of the Oberhasli babies has one horn that seems to be growing quite a bit compared to the other. Is it normal to have uneven growth as kids or any growth at all after debudding? It seems so whole, could it be a scur? And if she does end up with one horn, can that cause her issues(beyond getting stuck in fences)?

 

[PattyNH]

Yes. If not done correctly they can repeatedly grow spurs - smaller horn growths that can be anything from a horn shell to a horn that grows at an awkward angle and risks digging into the skull, eye, etc. and needs to be trimmed regularly to prevent injury. When a goat has one horn that grows after disbudding, or has a single horn, perhaps as a result of an injury or to the second horn, they are affectionately called "unicorns" Same with other horned animals.

 

[Gussychick]

Yes. If not done correctly they can repeatedly grow spurs - smaller horn growths that can be anything from a horn shell to a horn that grows at an awkward angle and risks digging into the skull, eye, etc. and needs to be trimmed regularly to prevent injury. When a goat has one horn that grows after disbudding, or has a single horn, perhaps as a result of an injury or to the second horn, they are affectionately called "unicorns" Same with other horned animals.

I think the kids will enjoy a unicorn in the pasture
Thank you

 

[PattyNH]

I think the kids will enjoy a unicorn in the pasture
Thank you

I bet they will! There are a ton of awesome goat sites on FB - if you are interested a couple, just PM me. Also, bsckyardherds.com has some good info but they don't see the traffic this site has. Best of luck with your babies!

 

[cassie]

Hi all! I have 3 six week old goats that were debudded at the dairy farm I bought them from. One of the Oberhasli babies has one horn that seems to be growing quite a bit compared to the other. Is it normal to have uneven growth as kids or any growth at all after debudding? It seems so whole, could it be a scur? And if she does end up with one horn, can that cause her issues(beyond getting stuck in fences)?

The horns are coming back. I would take them back where I got them from and have them disbudded again.