DEHORNING OF CALVES

Southland Times, Issue 23948, 14 October 1939, Page 14

DEHORNING OF CALVES

ALTERNATIVE METHODS Most dairy farmers are familiar with the methods employed with young calves to prevent horn growth. The most popular is to clip the hair from around the horn-buds before the calf is a week old, and rub the bud with a dampened caustic soda or potash stick until the surface is red. The calf must .then be kept under shelter from rain for two or three days, otherwise the caustic may run down the face, causing severe burns and blemishes. Another method of dehorning young calves is to apply a hot iron, such as a soldering iron, to the bud, after which it will come off in the form of a scab in two or three days’ time. A third method, which can be used when the calves have been allowed to grow older without dehorning, is first to clip off the hair around the horn bud, then raise the bud and skin with strong forceps and make a clean cut with a very sharp knife, removing the entire bud at its base. Stockholm tar, hot, is then applied to stop the bleeding and prevent infection of the wound.