The process of cutting a lamb’s tail is followed by many farmers, most commonly for hygiene reasons, but it is not always necessary in all breeds. However, the process is regulated by law, so it is important that farmers follow the necessary regulations to avoid prosecution.

Most ranchers will dock a lamb’s tail to prevent a build-up of fecal matter which, if left, could cause health problems, a costly veterinary bill, or even death. It is therefore a process that is done regularly, although some breeds will not require docking and the law states that tail docking can only begin if failure to do so could cause problems in later life.

To reduce the amount of stress and discomfort the animal will experience, which is very little, farmers will cut off a lamb’s tail as soon as possible after birth. The law states that a rubber ring, the most common method, can only be used without anesthesia for the first week of life, so this is the method that many will use. And at this stage it is extremely important that the farmer is aware of the position of the ring: it must be placed in such a place that there is enough tail to cover the vulva of the sheep and the anus of a male lamb. Most farmers will have a great deal of experience doing this, but some may choose to have veterinary assistance when they first do it.

After the first week of life, an anesthetic should be used when using a rubber ring or similar device. If the process is left until the lamb is three months old, it is illegal to do it without anesthesia and it is also illegal to do it yourself; in this case, a vet should do it. It is vital that farmers or anyone who has livestock is aware of the various rules and regulations, as any mistakes could result in legal proceedings.

How to cut the tail

The tail docking process is relatively easy – all that is required is a castration ring and, if necessary, a castration tool.

1. Place the castration ring over the tool, allowing it to stretch so that the ring fits over the tail.

2. Place the band in the necessary position, following the regulations discussed above.

3. Make sure the band is tight enough to restrict circulation and then let your lamb return to normal.

At first, the lambs may not be aware of it, but after a while they may feel a little discomfort and act a little different than usual. However, they will soon forget about it and after about 10-14 days the glue will fall off and the process will be complete.