CHAPTER Xll, 



Common Farm Operations 



DEHORNING 



Dehorning is a surgical operation usually performed on cattle, by 

 which they are rendered more tame, and consequently more easily 

 handled. Aly experience is that if properly done bad results are very 

 few. Cattle will often go right to eating; some cows will not even show 

 any appreciable shrinkage in their milk ; for the control of bulls this 

 operation is indispensable. The operation is best performed during 

 cool weather, so as to avoid flies, during the period from October until 

 April. Best results are obtained in yearling and two-year-old cattle. 

 The instruments in general use are the slippers or saw. I prefer the 

 former as being handier, calling for less restraint of the animal, and if 

 kept in good shape, well-oiled and sharp, do just as good work, only in 

 a great deal less time. Bleeding from the operation is rarely serious. 

 In heavy milking cows it may sometimes need attention. 



Smear the hair at the base of the horn with vaseline and turn it 

 back; then secure the animal to a strong post by means of a chain or 

 rope, so that it can be quickly released. A stanchion might be used. 

 Insert the bulldog (a nose forceps) into the nose and draw the head 

 around to the flank. The operator then applies the clipper over the 

 exposed horn and brings it as close to the head as possible, the object 

 being to remove about one- fourth inch of the skin along with the horn, 

 thus destroying the horn matrix and preventing the growth of unsightly 

 stubs. To make a nice-looking head be careful to so apply the clippers 

 that the cut will slope inwards from the bottom of che horn base ; thus a 

 pointed poll, resembling that of the Angus, will result. Calves may be 

 dehorned by caustics, of which several varieties are on the market. 

 A cheaper method, just as good, is to buy caustic potash in the stick 

 form at the drug store. It will be necessary to wrap cloth about it 

 when using or the fingers will also be cauterized. It is applied around 

 the base of the horns, just where they join the skin. 



