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Dehomed animals require less space in feeders. The danger of serious injuries from horns is also avoided.
Methods of dehorning cattle, water buffaloes and goats
Hot iron
This method is commonly used to dehorn older animals (4-5 months old). It is quick and bloodless.
1. Restrain the animal.
2. Select a capped-head dehomer that
fits the horn to be removed.
3. Heat the capped-head in fire until it is
cherry-red in color.
4. Fit it to the here of the horn
Things needed
- Cappedhead dehorner
- Fly repellent like pine tar
5. Turn the handle around to completely encircle the hoary.
Remove the horn and bum also the tip of the horn bud with the same red-hot
dehomer.
6. Apply a fly repellant, either Pine tar or Negasunt or Gusanex.
Hot iron
Chemical
Things needed
- Caustic potash stick
- Vaseline or vegetable oil
-
Scissors
- Vinegar
- Plastic/rubber gloves. if available. If not, take
extra care in applying potash.
Important
DON'T use caustic potash stick if:
- It is raining. It could burn the face or other parts of the animal.
- Several calves or kids run together.
- Young and mother are together.
A caustic potash stick is used to disbud animals, 4-10 days old.
1. Remove hair from and the base of
the hoary.
2. Apply oil abaft one-half inches
around the base of the horn.
3. Wearing rubber gloves, dip one end
of the potash stick in water.
4. Rub stick around the base of the
horn until it starts to bleed. Then, stop rubbing.
If burning occurs on the side of the head, wash the area with a solution of I part vinegar and 3 parts water.
5. Follow same procedure with the other horn bud.
6. Place
disbudded animals in an individual
pen.
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