53 



AGRICULTURAL STATIONS. 



The Results of Dehorning Experiments Conducted in United States 



Experiment Stations. 



Following will be found the results of dehorning experiments conducted at 

 the Wisconsin, Arkansas, Minnesota and Cornell University Agricultural Experi- 

 ment Stations, and as the effect of the operation upon the health of the ani- 

 mal as well as its effect with regard to the milk flow and the weight were care- 

 fully noted, the conclusions arrived at will be found of value. An interesting 

 article is also appended, showing the effect of a chemical compound on the 

 buddino- horn. 



Effect of Dehorning Milch Cows on the Production of Milk and Butter. 



In the fifth annual report of the Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment Station, 

 Mr. F. G. Short gives an account of some dehorning experiments on March 16, 

 1888, from which the following is taken : 



Twelve cows, in groups of four each, were selected from the herd and con- 

 fined by themselves. As it was natural to suppose that the change in the milk, 

 if any, would be most marked with cows giving rich milk, the cows selected for 

 the first experiment were grade Jerseys giving milk with an average fat content- 

 of between four and five per cent. 



The cows were led into the stable one at a time and secured in a common 

 stanchion, as though they were about to be milked. A halter was put on, the 

 head drawn up as high as possible and turned to one side. With a sharp saw 

 the outside horn was removed ; the head was then shifted and the other horn 

 taken off. 



All of the animals struggled, but not violently; and in no case did a cow 

 throw herself, or make any cry as of pain. As soon as the horns were off the 

 animal was released and bran was immediately offered them to see if they would 

 accept food. Sylvia was the only one who refused to eat. The loss of blood was 

 very small, especially with the older cows. Daisy 2nd was the only animal from 

 whose horns the blood spurted. In her case a fine stream of blood spurted from 

 her left horn, nearly two feet, the flow lasting about fifteen minutes. The rest 

 of the cows did not bleed enough to cause it to drop from the head. 



To prevent irrit tion to the wound by the animal striking her head against 

 the side of the stanchion, the cows were afterwards tied with halters, the 

 stanchion being left open. Four days after the dehorning, March 20th, there was 

 a slight discharge of pus from Sylvia's left horn ; also from Jessie's right horn. 

 Aside from this discharge, the wounds healed rapidly and at the present time 

 are perfectly healed. 



It is a well known fact that comparatively slight causes will have a marked 

 effect on the milk production of the cow. We might expect therefore that de- 

 horning would have an immediate effect on the quantity and quality of milk 

 produced, after the operation, when compared with that produced before dehorn- 

 ing. In this case, with one exception, the average daily yield, the weekly yield 

 per cow and the total amount of milk given by the twelve animals is less in the 



