Cattle dehorning
Encyclopedia
Dehorning or disbudding is the process of removing or stopping the growth of the horns
of livestock
. Cattle
, sheep, and goats are often dehorned for economic and safety reasons. Horns can pose a risk to humans, to other animals, and to the bearers of the horns themselves (horns are sometimes caught in fences
or prevent proper feeding). The procedure is most commonly performed early in an animal's life, along with other actions such as docking
and castration
. Dehorning is considered by some animal rights activists to be unnecessary cruelty. Many breeds of cattle and sheep are naturally polled
, and so do not need to be dehorned. Most other livestock species cannot easily be bred to lack horns naturally – for example: the polling gene in goats is closely tied to hermaphrodism
.
or a trained professional. It is most commonly done during the spring and the autumn when the flies are not abundant.
Cauterization
is the process of killing the growth ring of the horn using heat. This process is done when the calf is very young, no more than three or four weeks old—that way the horns are not very big and have not had time to grow attached to the skull. The earlier in the calf's life cauterization is done, the less pain and stress is inflicted on the calf. Cauterization is usually done with a dehorning hot iron.
A curved knife can be used to cut the horn off when the calf is younger than a couple of months old. It simple procedure where the horn and the growth ring is cut off to remove the horn.
An ABC News report found that most cattle in the U.S. are dehorned without the use of anesthesia. U.S. Department of Agriculture figures show that more than nine out of ten dairy farms practice dehorning, but fewer than 20 percent of dairy operations that dehorned cattle used analgesics or anesthesia during the process. While animal welfare groups, like the Humane Society of the U.S., condemn dehorning practices, there is no organized movement to end it.
For older calves, usually under eight months of age, the horns are starting to grow attached so a cup dehorner or a saw is used. There are several different types of cup dehorners, but they all serve the same function of removing the horn and growth ring. Since the horn is tougher it takes more force to remove it so tools that provide some leverage are need. A bone saw is used on horns of older calf’s horns that have grown too large for the cup dehorners.
The most recent development in dehorning technology is the dehorning (caustic) paste. The paste is used on calves at a young age before the horn gets very big, usually within the first two or three months of the calf's life. The hair around the horn is trimmed back and then the paste is spread all over the horn bud and around the base of the horn on the growth cells. The paste kills the growth ring of the horn and then the horn falls off like a scab when it is healed. However, this method bears a risk of the paste causing injury to the animal's eyes or other tissues, especially during periods of rain.
The animal to be dehorned is usually restrained using a dehorning table. This ensures that the dehorning procedure can be done safely and properly. Young calves are run through a head gate to ensure the safety of the calves and handlers. Calves more than a few months old are held in a head gate and their head restrained with a dehorning table or chin bar.
For mature cows that were not dehorned when they were young, it is common practice to just cut off the pointed end of the horn. This practice is called horn tipping; it is less stressful on the cows because there is no blood loss and the horn is cut off where there is no longer any nerve endings. This practice does not eliminate the bruising damage done by the horns when cows fight, but it does eliminate the risk of puncture wounds and eye loss from pointed horns.
If adult cattle are dehorned, it is usually done using local anaesthetic (Cornual Nerve block).
Horn (anatomy)
A horn is a pointed projection of the skin on the head of various animals, consisting of a covering of horn surrounding a core of living bone. True horns are found mainly among the ruminant artiodactyls, in the families Antilocapridae and Bovidae...
of livestock
Livestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
. Cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
, sheep, and goats are often dehorned for economic and safety reasons. Horns can pose a risk to humans, to other animals, and to the bearers of the horns themselves (horns are sometimes caught in fences
Fences
Fences is a 1983 play by American playwright August Wilson. Set in the 1950s, it is the sixth in Wilson's ten-part Pittsburgh Cycle. Like all of the Pittsburgh plays, Fences explores the evolving African-American experience and examines race relations, among other themes...
or prevent proper feeding). The procedure is most commonly performed early in an animal's life, along with other actions such as docking
Docking (animal)
Docking is a term for the intentional removal of part of an animal's tail or ears. The term cropping is also used, though more commonly in reference to the cropping of ears, while docking more commonly—but not exclusively—refers to the tail. The term tailing is also commonly used...
and castration
Castration
Castration is any action, surgical, chemical, or otherwise, by which a male loses the functions of the testicles or a female loses the functions of the ovaries.-Humans:...
. Dehorning is considered by some animal rights activists to be unnecessary cruelty. Many breeds of cattle and sheep are naturally polled
Polled livestock
Polled livestock are livestock without horns, of species that normally have them. The term refers both to breeds or strains which are naturally polled through selective breeding and also to naturally horned animals which have been dehorned...
, and so do not need to be dehorned. Most other livestock species cannot easily be bred to lack horns naturally – for example: the polling gene in goats is closely tied to hermaphrodism
Hermaphrodite
In biology, a hermaphrodite is an organism that has reproductive organs normally associated with both male and female sexes.Many taxonomic groups of animals do not have separate sexes. In these groups, hermaphroditism is a normal condition, enabling a form of sexual reproduction in which both...
.
Dehorning
- Horns may cause injuries to handlers or other cattle.
- Horned livestock take up more space.
- Horned livestock may require specialist equipment, such as feeders and cattle crushCattle crushA cattle crush , squeeze chute , standing stock, or simply stock is a strongly built stall or cage for holding cattle, horses, or other livestock safely while they are examined, marked, or given veterinary treatment. Cows may be made to suckle calves in a crush...
es. - In some breeds and in some individuals, horns may grow towards the head, eventually causing injury.
- Horns may become broken, causing blood-loss and potential for infection.
- Horned livestock may become trapped in fences or vegetation.
Remaining horned
- Horned livestock are better able to defend themselves and their young from predators such as wolves and dogDogThe domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
s. - Horns provide a secure point for roping or holding the animal's head.
- Horns are traditional in some breeds, and breed standardBreed standardA breed standard in animal fancy and animal husbandry is a set of guidelines which is used to ensure that the animals produced by a breeder or breeding facility conform to the specifics of the breed....
s may require their presence (for example, Texas LonghornTexas longhorn (cattle)The Texas Longhorn is a breed of cattle known for its characteristic horns, which can extend to tip to tip for steers and exceptional cows, and tip to tip for bulls. Horns can have a slight upward turn at their tips or even triple twist. Texas Longhorns are known for their diverse coloring...
, HighlandHighland cattleHighland cattle or kyloe are a Scottish breed of beef cattle with long horns and long wavy coats which are coloured black, brindled, red, yellow or dun....
and White ParkWhite ParkThe White Park is a rare breed of horned cattle with ancient herds preserved in Great Britain.-Description:...
cattle). - In some areas horns are of cultural significance, often being decorated or even trained into strange shapes.
- Some types of yokes used by draught oxOxAn ox , also known as a bullock in Australia, New Zealand and India, is a bovine trained as a draft animal. Oxen are commonly castrated adult male cattle; castration makes the animals more tractable...
en require the presence of horns. - Dehorning takes time and costs money.
Processes
Dehorning is normally done by a veterinarianVeterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
or a trained professional. It is most commonly done during the spring and the autumn when the flies are not abundant.
Cauterization
Cauterization
The medical practice or technique of cauterization is the burning of part of a body to remove or close off a part of it in a process called cautery, which destroys some tissue, in an attempt to mitigate damage, remove an undesired growth, or minimize other potential medical harmful possibilities...
is the process of killing the growth ring of the horn using heat. This process is done when the calf is very young, no more than three or four weeks old—that way the horns are not very big and have not had time to grow attached to the skull. The earlier in the calf's life cauterization is done, the less pain and stress is inflicted on the calf. Cauterization is usually done with a dehorning hot iron.
A curved knife can be used to cut the horn off when the calf is younger than a couple of months old. It simple procedure where the horn and the growth ring is cut off to remove the horn.
An ABC News report found that most cattle in the U.S. are dehorned without the use of anesthesia. U.S. Department of Agriculture figures show that more than nine out of ten dairy farms practice dehorning, but fewer than 20 percent of dairy operations that dehorned cattle used analgesics or anesthesia during the process. While animal welfare groups, like the Humane Society of the U.S., condemn dehorning practices, there is no organized movement to end it.
For older calves, usually under eight months of age, the horns are starting to grow attached so a cup dehorner or a saw is used. There are several different types of cup dehorners, but they all serve the same function of removing the horn and growth ring. Since the horn is tougher it takes more force to remove it so tools that provide some leverage are need. A bone saw is used on horns of older calf’s horns that have grown too large for the cup dehorners.
The most recent development in dehorning technology is the dehorning (caustic) paste. The paste is used on calves at a young age before the horn gets very big, usually within the first two or three months of the calf's life. The hair around the horn is trimmed back and then the paste is spread all over the horn bud and around the base of the horn on the growth cells. The paste kills the growth ring of the horn and then the horn falls off like a scab when it is healed. However, this method bears a risk of the paste causing injury to the animal's eyes or other tissues, especially during periods of rain.
The animal to be dehorned is usually restrained using a dehorning table. This ensures that the dehorning procedure can be done safely and properly. Young calves are run through a head gate to ensure the safety of the calves and handlers. Calves more than a few months old are held in a head gate and their head restrained with a dehorning table or chin bar.
For mature cows that were not dehorned when they were young, it is common practice to just cut off the pointed end of the horn. This practice is called horn tipping; it is less stressful on the cows because there is no blood loss and the horn is cut off where there is no longer any nerve endings. This practice does not eliminate the bruising damage done by the horns when cows fight, but it does eliminate the risk of puncture wounds and eye loss from pointed horns.
If adult cattle are dehorned, it is usually done using local anaesthetic (Cornual Nerve block).