DEHORNING CALVES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19959, 17 November 1934, Page 15

DEHORNING CALVES

ADVANTAGES OF SURGICAL METHOD The dehorning of dairy stock has now become a widespread practice and, excepting in the case of pedigree herds, one seldom sees cows which have not had their horns removed, says the "New Zealand Dairy Exporter.” Often this is done at the calf stage by the wellknown caustic pencil method, but there are three strong objections to this. In the first place, the operation, if delayed much after the third of fourth day of the calf’s life, is often not entirely successful, and unsightly “snail” horns will develop. Another obpection is the very unsightly appearance of the calf for a considerable time after the operation, and until the hair grows over the burned patches. The third objection, and the one which weighs heaviest with most dairymen, is that cows which have been dehorned with caustic as calves always present a very “poley” appearance. The width across the top of the head, a point which we have accustomed to look for in dairy animals, is completely spoiled, and the big tuft of hair which accentuates the sharpness of the poll, adds to the disfigurement. In view of the importance of dehorning as affecting the beef industry in Australia, Mr Henry, chief veterinary surgeon of the New South Wales Department of Agriculture, was asked to advise as to the best ways in which the operation could be carried out. Mr Henry was not disposed to condemn the dehorning of adult cattle, provided the job was quackly and efficiently done with a minimum of pain to the animal. At the same time he favoured dehorning at the calf stage, and said: “In calves the undeveloped horn can be felt as a small round body loosely attached to the head just underneath the skin and shaped like a button. The time to examine the calf for this is from the time it is a week old, as if there is to be a horn the sooner it is removed the better. If this stage is allowed to pass the horn shows through the skin, and the operation should then be delayed for dehorning, whenever the growth is sufficient for the purpose.

“The best and most reliable method of horn prevention is the surgical one, and the only instruments necessary are a sharp knife, a pair of claw forceps, and a pair of curved scissors. Hold the calf in a steady position, feel for the bud, and remove the hair from the part sufficiently to leave a clear field for operation. With the forefinger and thumb the bud is raised till the skin is tense. A cut is then made with a sharp, clean knife over the centre of the bud; the claw forceps are next used to pull the bud sufficiently far up to get underneath and clip the bud out. No after treatment is necessary.