Calf Health: How To Dehorn
08/20/2009 01:52PM
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The easiest method for producing calves without horns is to use a homozygous polled bull. This means that the offspring from that bull does not have the genetic capability to grow horns. However, there are several ways to remove horns or horn buds from nonpolledcattle. This should be done with the goal of preventing re-growth. To accomplish that, a 0.25 to 0.5 inch wide ring of skin should be removed at the base of the horn. As previously mentioned, that band of skin contains the cells that produce the horn material.
Dehorning methods include: chemical, knife, tube, hot iron, saws, Barns dehorners, wires and keystone dehorners. Chemical dehorning uses a caustic material that is applied to the horn bud and immediate surrounding skin. A few days after application, a scab forms and falls off to leave a bare area of skin. Some things to consider with chemical dehorning are that it is most effective on very young calves; care should be taken to let the chemical dry before the calf is put back with the cow and the calf should not be exposed to rain so that the chemical does not wash into the eyes.
A knife, tube or hot iron is most effective on calves less than two months of age and with horn buds less than an inch long. A knife can be used to surgically remove the skin around the base of the horn and move under the horn bud to cut it away from the base tissue. Proper restraint is necessary to prevent personal and calf injury in all dehorning methods but it is especially crucial when using an open blade. A tube is essentially a circular blade that is pushed into the skin around the horn bud and then tilted to cut under and remove the tissue. A hot iron cauterizes the horn bud and surrounding skin to prevent further growth.
A Barns dehorner is a hinged set of sharp scoops with long handles. With the handles closed, it is placed over the horn to the base and surrounding skin. When the handles are opened, the scoops cut through the skin and under the horn to remove it at the base. Barns dehorners come in different sizes and work well for calves from two months to yearling.
Saws, obstetrical wire and keystone dehorners are used on older cattle with larger horns. Keystones come in several sizes and are operated with two handles that, when opened, move a blade downward against a stationary plate or blade similar to the action of a guillotine. These methods create the greatest amount of bleeding and require more care after the procedure. It is also important to remember that the skin at the base of the horn should be removed to prevent re-growth.
Tipping horns should also be mentioned even though it does not effectively reduce carcass bruising and blunt-force injury. Tipping removes the points of the horns and usually only includes the portion with fewer nerves and less blood supply. This method is most often used to prevent irritation from horns growing back toward the head or eye in older cattle.
During dehorning is important to have a good handling facility, sanitize the equipment between each calf and to make sure bleeding has stopped before turning the calf out. Use blood coagulation powder and fly spray. Low-stress animal handling practices are important and will help keep the calves blood pressure in check to reduce bleeding. Continue to monitor dehorned cattle for at least ten days and re-treat for flies and infection or contact a veterinarian as needed.
Removing horns is a low-cost way to increase the value of calves throughout the beef production chain. When done early and correctly, it is simple and will have a limited effect on performance. For more information on dehorning cattle, please feel free to contact your local office of the Mississippi State University Extension Service.
Source: Justin Rhinehart – Beef Cattle Specialist; Mississippi State University Extension Service