124 Animal Castration 



CHAPTER IX. 



CASTRATION OF THE RAM. 



Objects and Indications — The operation is rarely ever per- 

 formed upon aged rams. Its greatest application is to lambs. 

 Castration hastens growth and development and improves the 

 character of the mutton and fleece. Castrated rams and lambs are 

 known as "weathers" and "weathers" command a much higher 

 market price than rams. If male sheep are to be raised to full 

 maturity for mutton purposes they should always be castrated as 

 lambs. 



Age— From a week to 10 da} T s old is a popular and safe age at 

 which to castrate. However, some prefer operating later. There 

 is no doubt but what the mortality rate following castration 

 rapidly increases with age. For that reason if for no other the 

 early operation is most advantageous. 



Season — Winter and early spring. Weather conditions play 

 an important part in the success of the operation. Cold rains and 

 sudden drops in temperature should be avoided as much as possi- 

 ble. Make an extra effort to select seasonable weather. 



Preparation— Limited diet for 24 hours before operating. 



Restraint and Position— A favorite method— both as regards 

 restraint and position— is for the assistant to grasp the legs and 

 place the animal on its rump as shown in Figure 95. 



Figure 96 illustrates a satisfactory method of confining large 

 and heavy rams for castration. Both fore and the right hind legs 

 are fixed together by means of a cord (E). The assistant grasps 

 left hind leg (F) and flexes it against the body. With right hand 

 (G) he controls the head. With a ram in this position the scrotum 

 is readily accessible. 



Instruments — 1. Williams' castrating knife. (Fig. 2.) 

 2. Swine and sheep emasculator. (Fig. 80.) 



