Removing Baby Goats’ Horns Is A Divisive Issue On Homesteads

Goats can wreak havoc around the farm with their horns, breaking through fences, impaling their ungulate brethren and even violently butting unsuspecting farmers. The decision about whether to prevent goats from growing their horns by “disbudding” them is not one that farmers take lightly, but ultimately comes down to what is best for the animals’ safety. Disbudding is the process of removing the tissues that will form horns on goat kids — also known as “buds” — before they get a chance to implant on the skull.