MANAGEMENT OF DAIRY CATTLE 81 



60. Dehorning. There are many reasons for dehorning 

 the animals in the ordinary business herd. Horns are 

 responsible for frequent injuries and serve no useful pur- 

 pose. Dehorned cattle may be housed in much smaller 

 space and are fed and watered together with much more 

 convenience. As a matter of safety it is well to dehorn 

 bulls. There is no reason for believing that any bad effects 

 follow. It is not advisable to dehorn animals that are to 

 be used for exhibition purposes. While animals without 

 horns are occasionally found in the show ring, they are at 

 a disadvantage. 



Calves may be dehorned successfully by using caustic 

 poiash (potassium hydrate) when they are a few days old. 

 The hair is clipped away from the small buttons which later 

 develop into horns. The caustic potash is moistened and 

 rubbed on the spot until the skin bleeds slightly, or is just 

 ready to bleed. Care should be taken not to use too much. 

 If sufficient potash has-been applied, a dent will be left in 

 the skull after a few days and no horns will ever develop. 

 Persons who have had considerable experience sometimes 

 usc^ this method on calves that are nearly a month old, but 

 it is best done during the first week, after that more skill 

 is required. A few cases have been reported where so much 

 water was used that it ran down into the eyes and put them 

 out. One man used so much potash that holes were eaten 

 through the skull and the calves killed. Such accidents are 

 inexcusable. In using potassium hydrate wrap paper around 

 the end of the stick to prevent injuring the fingers. 



After an animal is at least one year of age, it may be de- 

 horned by using the saw or special dehorning clippers. De- 

 horning with the saw or clippers should be done in cool 

 weather in the spring or autumn. 



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