Elastration

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Elastration is a method of castration commonly used for livestock. Elastration is simply banding the testicles of the male until they drop off. In particular, it is the most common method used for sheep and goats, ^[1], but is also common in cattle.^[2] This method is favored for its simplicity, low cost, and minimal training requirements. Elastration simply involves restraining the animal, without the need for anaesthesia or sedation (unlike most other castration methods), in a position that provides access to the genitals. A special tool is then used to place a tight elastic band, called an "elastrator", gently around the base of the scrotum. The blood supply to the scrotum and testes is cut off – the scrotum shrivels within a few days, and usually drops off within a week or two. Elastration is not normally used for castrations done after the first few weeks of life, nor for animals which do not have suitably shaped scrotums, such as pigs or horses. It is of course not effective for individuals in whom both testes have not descended properly.

Practitioners usually try to elastrate as soon as possible, once the testicles have descended, to reduce the amount of dead tissue, infection, and accompanying complications.^[3] However, with some animals such as goats, castrating too early increases the frequency of kidney stones and urinary problems due to reduced size of the urethra, so elastration may be postponed. ^[4]

If bull-calves are castrated too early by this method (within the first one or two days) the testes may sometimes be small and soft enough to be drawn up through the band, and they then continue to develop above the scrotum – surgical castration then becomes necessary. Care is needed with bull-calves at any age to ensure that both testes are properly inside the scrotum, and to avoid including the rear two nipples within the band.

[edit] Lambs' tails

The same tool and bands are also used to dock part of the tails of many breeds of sheep, to prevent dung building up on the tails (which can lead to fly strike). This is usually done at the same time as castration of the ram lambs.