Calf dehorning: at what age do they do it and top 3 ways, means

There are polled breeds of cattle whose horns do not grow. In other breeds, for some reason, they try to get rid of the horns. This is a common practice on a livestock farm, and cows have their horns removed in the household as well. After the operation, the horns of calves do not grow back, dehorning is also carried out for adult animals. Consider the reasons for dehorning calves, why it is carried out, what are the ways and how to do it correctly.

What are they doing this for?

Horns are being removed from cows to be raised on free-stall farms. Since the animals are free to roam the premises, contact is inevitable, which can lead to conflicts, fights and injuries from horns, sometimes serious.

It has been proven that where cattle are kept without horns, productivity increases by 10%. Without horns, cattle become calmer, as they are deprived of the opportunity to sort things out, cows are busy eating feed, as a result, there is an increase in meat and milk. Hornless cows cannot injure not only relatives, but also a person, it becomes more convenient to work with them. You can also remove horns from calves on your farm if you invite a specialist for this.

At what age?

Dehorting can be done at different ages, it all depends on the method of processing. For example, calves can be removed by chemical means as early as 3-5 days old. At the age of 2-3 weeks, the horny tubercle is cauterized with thermal cautery. At 1-2 months of age, the calves' horns are excised with a tubular knife. When they are 3-6 months old, the horns are excised with secateurs. It is recommended to remove the horns of calves before 2 months of age. The younger they are, the easier it will be for the operation.

What are the ways?

Horns are removed in several ways, using different materials and devices. For example, thermal, chemical and surgical methods are used.

Thermal

This method is considered simple and safe. Around the rudiments of the horns (horny tubercles), the wool is first cut off, after which each tubercle is cauterized with an electric apparatus. Exposure time - 10-15 min.

After cauterization, the tubercles are smeared with antiseptic preparations; in the summer months, repellents are additionally used to repel flies.

Chemical

The method is suitable for processing small calves. The same preparation is carried out, that is, first the hair is cut around the tubercles. Then wipe with alcohol, apply small scratches with a metal brush. After the tubercle is smeared with a caustic mixture of antimony trichloride (28%), collodion (65%) and salicylic acid (7%).Treatment options: nitric acid, caustic soda, caustic potash. There are also ready-made ointments that are used to treat horns to prevent growth.

Surgical

The effectiveness of the method is based on the fact that the base of the horn and the germ are not firmly connected. The operation is carried out using a metal tube, which is pointed on one side. Removal sequence: determine the center of the horny tubercles, cut the hair around, treat the skin with an antiseptic or alcohol. Anesthetize with novocaine.

The skin adjacent to the tubercle is cut with a tube, reaching the bone of the head. By tilting the tube, cut the base of the horns. If there is blood, the site of injury is treated with hemostatic agents.

The method requires practice, so only specialists can perform it. The result and normal healing can only be obtained if the operation and subsequent processing are performed correctly.

Dehorning agents

An ointment that prevents the growth of horns is used on 2-3 day old calves. The agent is rubbed into the area with the rudiments of the horns with a thin layer, capturing an area of no more than 2 cm. After a week, you need to check the result. You need to work with the paste in rubber gloves. Apply the ointment only to calves up to 2 months of age, in older animals the effect may be unsatisfactory: the horns will grow and become deformed. The same is observed when applied incorrectly.

For the first week, pasta-treated calves should be kept separate so they don't lick each other. The ointment may cause tongue burns.

Another way of dehorning is thermal cauterization. The device works from an electrical outlet or a gas cartridge, the second option is preferable due to mobility. The horns are cauterized with a thermocautery when they are just identified. The exposure time is about 5 seconds. It is important to keep the time right, deviations in one direction or another will lead to the fact that the horns will grow deformed or there may be skin burns.

How to dehorn a cow

The horns of adults are sawn off, they do it with hacksaws, special saws, scissors or electric jigsaws. Anesthesia is carried out with anesthetic drugs, for example, Novocain solution. It is necessary to choose the right time for the operation. Pregnant animals should not be dehorned, especially in the 2-1st half of pregnancy, stress can cause an abortion.

Suitable time for processing is autumn, at this time there are no insects that could carry infections. With an error in the technique, bleeding, trauma to the bones of the head are possible. Height sawed off - 3 cm from warping. If cut below, bleeding, infection are possible. After the end of the operation, treat the cut with antiseptics.

Dehorning calves and cows is a standard procedure on many cattle farms. The procedure has a positive effect on the behavior of animals, reduces the risk of injury, which as a result leads to an increase in the productivity of cows. A skilled specialist performs the procedure quickly and professionally, painlessly for calves, animals tolerate it well.

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