Animal Health & Welfare

Surgical removal of the testicles is the most certain method of castration, but the risk of infection is present at all stages.

[NB. Prior to beginning castration, the operator must cleanse his/her hands in antiseptic solution and the castration instruments should also be kept in antiseptic solution before use and between each calf. The scrotum of the animal must be washed in antiseptic solution before castrating].

Method

• Using a sharp knife, the outside of the scrotum is slit in the side adjacent to the leg
• The incision must extend around the end of the scrotum to ensure adequate drainage
• In very young calves, the testicles can be pulled from the body with tension breaking the spermatic cord
• In older calves, an emasculator is applied to the cord to cause a crushing action which arrests haemorrhage and a cutting action which allows the testicle to be removed
• Repeat the procedure on the other testicle

Advantages

• Castration is irreversible because the testicles are removed
• Post-castration discomfort is normally not as long as with other methods

Disadvantages

• High risk of infection due to open wound
• High levels of aftercare required

To see how this compares with other methods of castration currently in use, use the 'Comparison of Castration Methods' tab to the left.