Delve into the literature concerning the care and keeping of livestock, and you’ll soon start reading through chapters on removing parts of them deemed problematic, such as spurs on roosters and horns on goats. When I was new to my back-to-the-land life, preparing for my first animals, I took these admonitions seriously as the “official” path to follow.
But now that I’ve spent years with my own flocks and small herds, I understand there are far more choices than the single course recommended in the conventional literature. Every farm, homestead, and backyard has a different set of beliefs, animals, and infrastructure. The best course of action for the people and animals involved may not be the same from one place to the next.
Now, I confess I’m biased toward leaving my animals intact: I don’t disbud or despur. I do understand, however, that sometimes it’s in the best interest of the humans or animals involved to remove potential threats. My goal with this article, therefore, isn’t to convince you one choice
