In this article concerning goat health, we’ll take a look at common problems encountered with kids ears and a possible solution provided by one of our experienced goat keepers. If you have any good tips or advice, we’d love to hear from you.
Correcting kids ears
From time to time kids are born with folded or buckled ears. They will not correct themselves so assistance is required. The sooner the problem is addressed the better. In our experience the problem usually occurs with multiple births and sometimes after disbudding. We always dry the newly born kids ears, using kitchen roll, as quickly as we can and then the rest of the kid as well.
The problem is often at the very top of the ear causing it to fold together. Sometimes the ears are so badly affected they will cross backwards above the head. To correct this, you will need some card, we use cereal packetand find that to be a good weight. Also required is a roll of Microporous tape (from Boots or likewise). Bring your kids into the kitchen and hold firmly on a lap. Using the kids ear as a template, lay it over the card and draw round the outside. It is not necessary to encompass the whole ear and we have found just going half way down is enough. You now cut out your card shape and fit on the inside of the ear. Some kids are not happy when you fit it to the very top. Once you are happy with the fitting cut, another shape to go on the outside of the ear. Using the tape to hold the card in shape, make an ear sandwich taking care not to fold any part of
the ear which may be showing around the edges. We find this method very successful. The degree of the defect will determine the time the patches need to stay on. Keep a careful eye on them as the kid grows. Often after two or three weeks, you will find the ear has been corrected. Any longer and you may have to make bigger patches and re-apply.
By using Microporous tape you will find removing the patch very easy and causes no pain to to the kid.
