DEHORNING CATTLE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 14 June 1924, Page 10

DEHORNING CATTLE.

(To the Editor). Sir, —I have read with interest the different opinions on dehorning cows through the columns of your valuable paper. On reading these opinions, 1 am tempted to offer you my experience about dehorning and the proper time. I have dehorned a large number of cows for myself and for the public. At the present time I have been asked to dehorn several herds, but am sorry to say I am unable to do the jobs as I am very busy v/,d cannot get the time; My method is to dehorn about October, always instructing the owner of. the herd to shut up a paddock SO' as to have a good flush of grass to turn the cows on as soon as they have been dehorned, thus ensuring the milk returns will not be affected to any extent, and also helping the cow over her fernpor ary pain. I have not used a- saw for dehorning many years. I have a good dehorning machine, one that I earn recommend. The proof of its success is that wherever I have dehorned with this machine I have been asked to return when dehorning is required. This machine can be procured in Hawera. I strongly advise anyone getting one to be sure and learn the proper -way to .use it. I ask anyone using the saw whicli way ha would like his finger.cut off, by sawing or by one clean cut with a sharp instrument. I also use boracie powder mixed with ofdiriary flour about half and half in proportion. This makes a nice coating over the affected part, sheltering it from the weather, heat, frost or wind. Hoping these remarks will be of benefit to both animals and . owners, arid thanking you, sir, —I am, etc., W. T. BAILEY.