TO REMOVE HORNS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 559, 14 July 1909, Page 10

TO REMOVE HORNS.

HOW TO USE CAUSTIC POTASH.; ;. The calving and dehorning season will soon be here, and some dairy farmers may be inquMngwhat is the right way to dehorn the young calves with caustic potash. Here is the method used by Mr. G. C. Humphrey, Professor of Animal. Husbandry at the University of Wisconsin:— : The caustic;" potash should be applied as soon as the "button-like" horns can be felt, after the calf is three days 01d.'.-. If postponed the operation niay give unsatisfactory results. To apply the potash the hair is removed from about the horns close to the skin. The potash is, moistened slightly and rubbed over the skin which covers the point of the horns until the skin-is white. It is not necessary to rub' the skin: until blood comes, as this will cause unnecessary soreness. . / One such, treatment'.. is. usually,' sufficient to nrevent, the ,gfowth of the horns. ; The following precautions should be taken: —The caustic should be wrappeo. m heavy papers to protect the hands of the operator; the caustic should nqt be moistened too much, so that the liquid will not run down the side of the calf's head, for this will cause unnecessary pain'; tho calf must be securely fastened so that the head may be held still to avoid applying, the caustic anywhere except over, the horns. One stick of caustic potash if preserved in a tightly corked bottle will servo to dehorn many calves.