Dehorning is the process of removing the fully grown horns of livestock. Cattle, sheep, and goats are sometimes dehorned for economic and safety reasons.
Benefits of Dehorning
- Horns are removed because they can pose a risk to humans, other animals and to the bearers of the horns themselves (horns are sometimes caught in fences or prevent feeding
- Increased space at the feedbunk
- ease of transport, both through a facililty and during shipping
- decreased trauma by caused by dominant and aggressive animals
- decreased risk of injury to personnel
NOTE 1:- Dehorning is normally performed with local anesthesia and sedation,dehorning is not routinely performed, since it is a difficult and painful process for the animal
NOTE 2:- dehorning under the age of 2 weeks is strongly recommended:
1. Technically easier procedure
2. Ease of handling resulting in decreased stress
3. Decreased risk of hemorrhage
Potential Complications
- Hemorrhage
- Pain
- Horn regrowth
- Infection / Sinusiti
Techniques
The mechanism behind dehorning is to permanently destroy or remove the horn-producing cells at the base of the bud, to prevent further growth
1. Electric or butane hot dehorning
2. Disbudding tube/spoon
3. Barnes dehorner/scoop
4. Dehorning paste