Docking
Docking means the removal of a tail. Although it is a useful practice and is carried out in several countries have developed the sheep industry, yet so far it is not vague in this country. In large animals such as buffalo and cattle, docking is not normally practiced unless the tail becomes diseased or seriously wounded. The chief reasons for docking are- Docking lambs are cleaner.
- Long and fat tails interfere with breeding ewes.
- Docked lambs and sheep present a rather blocky appearance.
- The dressed carcass has a more attractive appearance.
- The use of a knife.
- The use of a hot iron.
- The use of an elastrator.
Procedure
The use of an elastrator is not only simple but it also constitutes a bloodless method. The principle involved in its application has been discussed earlier under castration. Lambs to be docked should be 7 to 14 days old. The animal is held in a sitting position. A specially made rubber ring is stretched by sitting it over the jaws of the elastrator and placed around the base of the tail. The rubber ring cuts off the blood supply and atrophy follows. Within about two weeks the tail drops off.Docking of lambs having fat-tails has been successfully achieved. It is, however, recommended that steps should be taken to develop such sheep breeds in which fat-tail has been eliminated.
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