DISHORNING 269 



Sheds with open courts are most comfortable for stores 

 or for feeders in very hot weather. The great objections 

 to them are (i) The loss of manure by rain- washing, 

 which, however, may be in a great measure prevented if 

 the water from the eaves of the houses adjoining the court 

 be removed, so that it is unnecessary to provide any outlet 

 drainage, and if an ample layer of litter be spread on the 

 floor. Contrary to the general belief, surplus moisture 

 tends to rise to the surface through the animals puddling, 

 and a comparatively dry layer is found at the bottom of an 

 open courtyard. (2) The extra straw required for litter ; 

 and (3) Strong cattle bullying, and consequently starving 

 the weak ones. 



Dishorning should be practised on all cattle that 

 are to be housed in this way, as they persistently torment 

 one another, and frequently inflict severe injury by horning 

 their neighbours. When the horns are well developed and 

 strong, the sharp tops are frequently nipped off by a pair 

 of powerful shears. This method is quicker, more simple 

 and less painful, because shorter in duration, than that of 

 sawing the horn ; but the bruised condition in which the 

 wounded horn-core is left is objectionable, as it is liable to 

 lead to serious after-consequences, In the case of calves 

 and young animals, the budding horns should be wholly 

 removed by a knife inserted well down underneath the 

 base of the core of the horn. Or, still better, when 

 the animals are between two and five days old, the skin 

 over the tip of the budding horn should be firmly rubbed, 

 after moistening, with a stick of caustic potash, which, if 

 properly used, prevents the horn from growing. 1 When the 

 operation is delayed for twelve months or more, a fine saw, 

 such as is used for severing the bones in butchers' meat, should 

 be employed, the animal having been thrown in the usual 

 way (Fig. 7) with ropes, and made fast. 2 The operation 

 is not a pleasant one to witness, but the pain, though 

 acute at the time, is over in a few seconds ; the tempera- 

 ture as a rule does not rise above normal, unless in the 

 case of a limited number of animals, in which suppuration 



1 See the Board of Agriculture Leaflet, No. Si, "A Substitute for 

 Dishorning." 



2 See illustration on page 243. 



