Correct Methods and Technical Key Points for Castrating Sheep

Male lambs not intended for breeding should be castrated 2 to 3 weeks after birth. There are roughly 4 methods for castrating sheep:

1. Surgical removal method

During the operation, restrain the male lamb on a wooden stool in a half-lying, half-crouching position, use the left hand to push the lamb's testicles to the bottom of the scrotum, and hold a sterilized scalpel in the right hand to make an incision at the bottom of the lamb's scrotum. The incision should be long enough to allow the testicles to be squeezed out. Gently squeeze out the testicles on both sides and tear off the spermatic cord. An incision can also be made at the lower side of the lamb's scrotum. After squeezing out one testicle, cut open the scrotal septum from the inside, then squeeze out the other testicle. Then disinfect the wound with iodine tincture or sprinkle it with sulfonamide powder and let it heal on its own.

2. Ligation method

First push the male lamb's testicles to the bottom of the scrotum, then tightly tie off the upper part of the scrotum with a rubber band or thin rope to block blood circulation. After 10 to 15 days, the testicles and scrotum will atrophy and fall off on their own. This method is simple and easy to perform, with no bleeding and no infection.

3. Castration clamp method

Use a specialized castration clamp to crush and sever the spermatic cord at the upper part of the male lamb's scrotum, and the testicles will gradually atrophy. This method is fast and effective, but the operator needs some experience.

4. Chemical castration method

With one hand, the operator pushes the male lamb's testicles to the bottom of the scrotum and disinfects the area at the top of the scrotum corresponding to the testicles. With the other hand, holding a syringe filled with testicle-castration injection, insert the needle parallel to the long axis of the testicle from the top of the testicle, piercing into the testicular parenchyma. When the needle tip reaches the lower 1/3 of the testicle, inject slowly. Inject while withdrawing the needle so that the medicinal solution remains in the middle 1/3 of the testicle. Perform the injection into the other testicle in the same way. After injection, the male lamb's testicles will be swollen, so do not squeeze them, to prevent the medicine from spilling out. The injection dose of the medicine is 0.5 to 1 milliliter per animal. It is best to use a size 9 needle for injection.