Dehorning Cattle:

[mikey]

Doc,I wish to have a bull calf dehorned because we want him for a breeder when he is old enough,dehorned bull(s)would be easier to manage. We are now planning to dehorn all bull calfves and castrating them also because they are only raised for meat,dehorned cattle cause less injuries to other cattle.Here all bull calves are castrated to help them put on more weight gain over a shorter time period.This seems to be something new for our area. My in laws think this is crazy,no other person does this in our area.In Canada,have been told that dehorning between 2-3 months old is better than on a older bull calf,less stress.Whats your opinion?

[nemo]

Dehorned animal is much easier to handle.

It is better to dehorn at 2 months of age because the horn bud is not yet fused with the skull.

If you dehorn older animal taking care of it would be much difficult.

in most provinces they do not dehorn / seldom dehorn animal because of fear that it might die.

[mikey]

Thanks Doc,will dehorn at 2 months old.At what age should we castrate the calves?
Thanks:

[nemo]

you could castrate at 2-3 months of age.

[mikey]

Thanks Doc,will dehorn and castrate at the same time.
mikey

[acores]

Is there a place in our country where this know how is thought the dehorning and castrating

[nemo]

Go to  MAO ( municipal agricultural office) in your area they might help you.