Animal Health & Welfare

Furthermore, the use of a rubber ring, or other device, to restrict the flow of blood to the scrotum or tail, is only permitted without anaesthetic if the device is applied during the first week of life.

Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, as amended, only a veterinary surgeon may castrate a lamb which has reached the age of three months.

These laws can be found in the Code of Recommendations for Welfare of Sheep provided by the Scottish Government (see link on right).

The Code of Recommendations also advises against the use of surgical castration by the stockperson in preference for one of the other methods and highlights that castration by any method should only be performed by an experienced handler.