Castration

• Surplus males are castrated to check indiscriminate mating, to make the males more docile and to make mutton of superior quality.
• Castration is usually done by using a castrating knife, Burdizzo castrator/emasculatome or elastrator.

1. Burdizzo/emasculatome method:

• Secure the lamb and place it on its rumps with tail placed along the floor.
• Manipulate the testes and slightly pull out the scrotum.
• Hold the spermatic cords tightly on both sides making sure that it does not slip.
• Apply tincture iodine at the site.
• Place the jaws of the emasculatome over the spermatic cords and press the handles completely; hold for a few moments before releasing.
• Repeat the process about 1 cm below the first crush.
• Apply additional antiseptic and watch the animal for infection for a few days.

Precautions :

• The emasculatome must be clean and disinfected, and its jaws must be clean and smooth.
• The testes must be protected from injury.
• The scrotal skin folds must not be crushed.

2. Elastrator method

• As this method is bloodless and painless, it is the most preferred.
• Secure the lamb and make it lie down on one side.
• Place the rubber ring with the help of the elastrator over the spermatic cord, a little above the testes.
• The constant pressure shuts off the blood supply to the testes and causes testicular atrophy and sloughing off in about 2-3 weeks.

3. Incision method

• Secure the lamb on a clean floor and make it lie down on one side.
• Disinfect the surgical site and make an incision on the lower side of the scrotum with a sharp knife.
• Remove the testes and as much of the spermatic cord as possible.
• Disinfect thoroughly and take adequate post-operative care.