How to Band a Market Lamb's Tail

Removing the tail from a lamb decreases the amount of dried fecal matter on the tail and hind end. This improves the overall health of the sheep health, according to the website Sheep 101. Banding is a method that uses an Elastrator to place a tight rubber band below the tailhead, cutting off blood circulation to the tail. The tail dies and falls off in seven to 10 days.

Things You'll Need

  • Elastrator
  • Rubber bands
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Instructions

  1. Banding Tails

    • 1
      Prevent illness and disease in your flock by banding the tails of your lambs.

      Purchase an elastrator and a bag of rubber bands from a farm or animal health store. The rubber bands are very small and specific for banding tails and for castration. You can also borrow an elastrator from a neighboring sheep or cattle farmer.

    • 2
      The ideal age for banding is 1 to 2 weeks old.

      Place the rubber band on the four points of the elastrator. Make sure the rubber band is pushed all the way down and will not come off when you squeeze the handles together.

    • 3

      Recruit a friend or family member to hold the lamb while you band the tail. The ideal age for banding is 1 to 2 weeks old.

    • 4

      Squeeze the handle of the elastrator, opening the rubber band to its maximum size.

    • 5
      The pain from banding is short-lived.

      Pull the tail through the rubber band until it is 1/2 or 1 inch below the tail head. Gently loosen your grip on the elastrator and slide the rubber band off. If the rubber band is too high or too low, carefully slide it in the desired direction.