Dehorning questions
- Thread starter Dusty Britches
- Start date
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thanks for posting...i have never dehorned cattle but have 2 cows/fine producing cows, 5 year old cows, that need it...they are decently tame...any recomendiations on tools i need..have a head gate and know it will be fun/not....thanks for any info....wish i could spell..i used to could
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Ideally it's best to do over the fall/winter when flies are not a problem.
It's funny, I bought these fancy cutters, and while I was working these calves I noticed TWO sets of tree pruners hanging above the work bench. They looked like they had seen plenty of use. Ive seen what pruners do to trees. I prefer the proper de-horning tools.
A good blood stop powder applied afterwards is a must. These 2 had pretty much quit bleeding by the time they were unloaded about 12 miles away. After the blood stop/coagulant.
Silver
Well-known member
I've never worried about the bleeding and have never lost one to it.
SBMF 2015
Well-known member
I could start a photo album with all my botched dehorning jobs. 
They are like snowflakes, there are no two the same. It's almost become a game to see how the horns will grow after I dehorn them.
Last year I decided I'm just going to start tipping them when they get some size like Murry's bull so they get those stubs on each side. Give them that rowdy look.
They are like snowflakes, there are no two the same. It's almost become a game to see how the horns will grow after I dehorn them. Last year I decided I'm just going to start tipping them when they get some size like Murry's bull so they get those stubs on each side. Give them that rowdy look.
Travlr
Well-known member
If you cut them off there is a vein that usually spurts blood, and you can use a needle nose pliers to go down into it and get ahold, and stretch it out until it breaks down inside. That solves the problem of most of the bleeding. There will still be seepage but not like an arterial gusher...
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
@Travlr
Need a face shield, apron and gloves.
And prepare to get covered in it.
I watched my vet do that too. He got the one side alright. By the time he got to the other side to get that bleeder he had enough and let that side go....
Even with nose tongs and a helper, those calves still wiggle and squirt everywhere.
Need a face shield, apron and gloves.
And prepare to get covered in it.
I watched my vet do that too. He got the one side alright. By the time he got to the other side to get that bleeder he had enough and let that side go....
Even with nose tongs and a helper, those calves still wiggle and squirt everywhere.
cant get video to play..but looks like what i would like to know about dehorning...thanks
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
That just picture of putting a square cut rubber band on the horn base. I've never done it, but I've heard people have some kind of success with it.
Takes a while for the horn to fall off. But it's supposed to work as long as the band stay put...
@gcreekrch how long did it take for them to disappear?
@Brute 23 if ya tip em at a downward angle they look even "kooler"
You are right, only a screen shot of a video showing the tool in use.
The bands worked 100% as compared to limited success using the green cheerios a few times before. We put them on 6 mature cows that went from a full set of hookers to botched dehorn jobs we had purchased. All were off within 4 weeks. Used them on several yearlings with same success. All of them moped around for a day or two until the initial bother went away and never looked back after that,
kenny thomas
Well-known member
Who makes the square shouldered bands? Dont think i ever seen any. For years i bought bargains because they had horns and dehorned them. I have gotten weaker and it wears me out to use the wire to saw them off.
SBMF 2015
Well-known member
That's why I suggested a reciprocating saw. I used to use saw wire but it's a workout. Sawzall is pretty quick.
Travlr
Well-known member
Those look like some serious bands.
I bought some sheep last Monday and two were still rams. So I whipped out my bander and was worried about the cheerios since I've had them for years. I'd gone by the local IFA to get fresh ones but they were sold out. But I didn't realize that the bands are not the old rubber ones that deteriorate and crack/break, they are latex. They seemed okay, so I used them. The nuts were so large I had to work them into the band one at a time. Fingers crossed.
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I was wondering what kind you were using. That's the regular bander for castrating.
