Purdue University
Agricultural Experiment Station
Lafayette, Indiana
Mimeo DH-31
July 1952 (3M)
Dairy Field Day
EFFICIENCY OF THE ELECTRIC CALF DEHORNER
Department of Dairy Husbandry
In the spring of 1950, it was decided that an electric dehorner would be put in use on calves in the Purdue University herd and its performance observed.
The development of the electric dehorner is credited to Professor LaMaster of the dairy department at the Agricultural College, Clemson, South Carolina. It is based on the principle of applying intense heat to the small horn buttons, thereby destroying the horn tissue development. The instrument is similiar to the soldering iron except for the small cup-like end which is placed over the horn button.
Data on the first 21 heifer calves to be dehorned with this instrument follow. The age of the individual calves at the time of dehorning varied from 1 to 4 weeks, depending upon the time a distinct horn button was formed. Nineteen of the dehorning treatments were successful on first application. Two calves received a second treatment when it did not appear that the horn button was going to slough within 2 to 3 weeks. The second treatment was effective in both cases.
The recommendations for use of the instrument called for having the heating element on for 5 minutes before use and then apply to the horn button for 10 seconds. It was found that looking for a deep copper color around the base of the horn button was a better guide than relying upon a definite time period.
When several calves were dehorned at one time, accumulations of burned tissue on the dehorner increased the time required on subsequent calves unless the instrument was carefully cleaned after each use. The time required for effective dehorning varied from 10 to 15 seconds per horn.
This method of dehorning required less time and appeared less painful to the calves than other methods commonly employed for dairy calves.
The use of this dehorner has been continued in the Purdue University Dairy Herd. About 80 calves have been successfully dehorned by this method. A second treatment has not been necessary on any calf after the operator started using the appearance of a deep copper color at the base of the horn as a guide for effective dehorning.
Under modern systems of dairy management, horns serve no useful purpose.
In fact, horns have been responsible for many ruined udders; and sometimes painful and serious wounds are received as a result of cows hooking one another.