DEHORNING CALVES

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20911, 16 September 1939, Page 23 (Supplement)

DEHORNING CALVES

BIMPLE METHOD ADVOCATED At this season, when a new batch of calves is being reared, the question of dehorning crops up. It is advantageous especially among large dairy herds to have the cows without horns as there is less likelihood of them injuring one another, and further, they can be more readily managed. Dehorning adult animate is quite an operation and it can be avoided by using foresight and preventing horn growth in the young calves which will be th* cows of the future herd. A method of preventing the growth of horns nn young calves is as follows: When the calf is a few days old, the horn buds can be easily felt with the fingers. The hair should be clipped off around the bud. and the rubbiug of a moistened caustic soda or potash stick over and around the base of the bud will effectually destroy the horn-secreting tissue and prevent horn growth. In wet weather the caustic may be weakened, and may run over the face; otherwise the operation should be quite successful. If in any doubt, a second application should be made at the end of a week After a few* years’ treament of heifer calves to be used for replacements in the herd the entire herd will be polled and Ihe necessity for periodical dehpming of milking cows will be avoided.