DEHORNINU OF CATTLE

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 352, 12 February 1918, Page 4

DEHORNINU OF CATTLE

By A. R.Young, M.R.C.VB., Veterinary Supervisor, Wellington. (From the "Journal of Agriculture.') It is claimed by the advocates for dehorning cattle (l)that a herd of cows settle down better after dehorning, thereby increasing the quantity and quality of the milk yield to an appreciable degree ; (2) that a large amount of bruising, especially in fat* stock sent for slaughter, would be avoided by it; (3) that horned cattle inflict unnecessary cruelty upon each other; and (4) that many fatalities to human beings would be prevented by dehorning. \ The first two arguments cannot be considered upon their merits alone, as dehorning adult cattle solely for the sake of profit to the owner would be an act of cruelty which could not be recommended from that viewpoint. Neither does the writer favour compulsory or indiscriminate dehorning, for there are many herds where the docility is such as to make this operation unnecessary. The same may be said of single animals whose timidity of nature prevents them from using their horns as an offensive weapon. There is also the question of purebred animals appearing in the show ring complete according to their breed. When dehorned these cattle would lose their characteristic expression.

We have ample evidence, however, of horned cattle cruelly attacking each other, and also often causing serious injury and sometimes death to humans. The matter of this article is therefore advanced in the spirit of assisting stocfcowners who desire to prevent such occurrences.

Before dealing with the methods ef dehorning, the horn itself may be briefly described. The horn is composed of two parts; the true horn, or outer shell, which is a non-sensi-tive structure like the human fingernails, and the core, or inner structure which is very sensitive, like the quick underneath the nail, but, unlike the latter, consists of bone freely covered with nerves and blood vessels which supply the outer covering with its nutriment and also act as a strong support to it. This core is hollow for a considerable extent of its structure, the hollow, or sinus, commencing in the bones of the head and being prolonged well up the horn. The sinus is fairly large, and is often divided into two, and may exceed lin. in diameter. offers, after dehorning, facilities for the access of dirt into the head, where there would be no outlet for the suppuration which would subsequently form there and give considerable trouble to get rid of. Its presence there would also- cause the animal great pain, as evidenced by constant shaking of the head, holding it to one side, and rubbing it against something which, instead of relieving the animal, may contribute more dirt. HORN-PREVENTION IN CALVES

In calves the undeveloped horn can be felt as a small round body loosely attached to the head just underneath the skin, and resembling a button. When this is felt, as it generally can be when the animal is a week old, is the best time to dehorn, and by the most humane method.

The procedure is as follows: First tecu# a supply of caustic potash in stick form. Clip all the hair off the part to be operated upon, then brush or wash and dry, so as to remove all dirt. Next moisten the end of the stick of caustic in water, taking care to keep the fingers protected from contact, and rub gently all over the button only. The caustic penetrates through the skin and destroys the outer covering of the budding horn, thereby interfering with its nourishment and subsequent development. This operation should not be attempted in wet weather, as dampness interferes with the caustic in its local action, and has a tendency to make the application spread beyond t{ie part to which it was applied. After treatment is not required, but the animals should be periodi cally examined to see whether the operation has been successful. If not, it can be repeated after the scurf has been effectually removed. Another method for dehorning calves, which is sometimes employed in cases of calves developing horns in a breed which should be hornless, is to clip the hair from off the " bud " and wash and disinfect the part. A sharp knife is then used to cut an incision through the skin sufficiently large to admit of a small sharp gouge, with which the bud is scooped out. The skin heals very quickly, and the scar is very difficult to detect once the hair has grown. DEHORNING OK ADULT OATTLE

The best time to dehorn adult cattle is in cold weather, when there are fewer flies about to " blow " the stamp than would be the case in Bummer. For cows the most suitable time is when they are about dry and not far advanced in pregnancy. If heavy in calf there is always a danger of them aborting, due to the excitement or crushing. The operation of dehorning can be performed with a pair of specially made shears, but as theso are clumsy to handle and, when the horn is old, have a tendency to fracture the bast-. of the horn remaining upon the head, which would cause bad after effects, a good bone saw is preferable. This is a very handy instru-1 ment, and a little practice will soon | make one expert enough to do the | work quickly and neatly, fn select-1 ing a saw get one deep enough to go | through a large horn without the i Lack coming into contact with tinhorn, otherwise a clean-cut undersurface will not be obtained. No \ grease or oil is required, as the horn I will provide this. i When a number of cattle are to be I dehorned it will be to the advantage i of the operator to make special ar- j rangements for holding animals while being operated upon. An , ordinary race can be used for this j purpose, with certain alterations to ; the breast-bars, one to have a I J-

shaped notch in the toiittu big enough to hold the winipipo and gullet. This prevents injur)* to these parts when the top-bar, which is fixed upon a bolt at one end is brought firmly down upon the upper part of the neck to keep the head steady. The cross - bars behind should be arranged to firmly press upon the hind - quarters of the animal, so that it cannot move backwards even a few inches. This saves the fingers of the operators as also his saw, from damage. Having everything satisfactorily fixed up, grasp the horn with the left band, and, after selecting the part where the dehorning is to take place, begin to saw- quickly until a tract has been made for the saw. There is no pain at this stage, as only the non-sensitive part of the horn is being gone into. Then drive quickly, but do not press the horri downwards more than just enough to relieve the saw, as a clean underneath cut is desirable. The other horn is now and and the animal yarded for observa-; tion. Where only a bull is to be subjected to dehorning, this can v be done by securely fixing him to a tree, and using the saw in the same manner. ,

The correct distance from the head to take off a horn is l}in. If cut shorter than this a very large hole is left exposed on the head ; if longer, the animal will still find a use for the stump as an offensive weapon.

The operation being finished the yarded animals should be examined, and any case oi excessive bleeding attended to by the application of tar. After-treatment is seldom required unless in hot weather, when, in all cases, tar should be applied to the stump. Where it is found that dirt has got into the head, causing suppuration, the cavity should be syringed out with water to which has been added some disinfectant. OBSERVATIONS

In milking herds the result of the dehorning operation has been observed by the writer in ten thousand cases. None of the animals died as a result, three slipped their calf, and a few delayed healing up. The milk supply dropped od average 31b the first day, regained 21b the second day, and was back to normal the third day. There is no record of a subsequent additional quantity or nuality of milk due to dehorning, only a general remark that the loss was more than made up, so that no definite information can be given upon this point If, however, general observation is to count for anything, many dairymen dehorning their cows several years ago have not continued the practice—the writer is not able to state why. There is no doubt about the efficacy of dehorning for the prevention of cruelty and injuries.