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Make sure all dehorning is up to date with autumn calves. When it comes to dehorning, there is a range of methods to remove the bud or horn casing.
There are merits to each method, so opt for the technique which inflicts the least stress on calves and you have the most experience in carrying out.
Anaesthetic
Always use an anaesthetic before carrying out dehorning. Also, make sure you use an appropriate syringe and needle gauge.
Talk to your vet if you are unsure about locating the correct injection site in the groove running from the calf’s eye to the horn bud.
The volume of anaesthetic will vary depending on the size of calf, so check the product recommendations.
Always make sure the calf is properly restrained in a handling crate. Once you administer the anaesthetic, clip the hair around each bud so you can see the area clearly.
Method
Leave between five and 10 minutes from freezing the horn nerve until you attempt to disbud.
If using a heating iron, make sure the de-budding end is sharp. It should also be piping hot before applying to the calf’s horn. A quick test is to press the iron on a piece of wood.
If it is at the correct working temperature, it will burn a continuous ring on the wood surface. Apply the de-horner to the calf’s bud.
The calf should not move if the anaesthetic is working properly. If it does, wait for another five minutes and try again.
Rotate clockwise and anti-clockwise around the base of the bud. Do so for approximately 10 seconds, then scoop the bud out. Seal the open bud to prevent bleeding and apply an antibiotic spray.
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