The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1888-03-30
Dehorning Cattle.

all ages last April, and am satisfied
that it is of great advantage for the fol
lowing reasons: Dehorned cattle take
only about one half the shed room to
afford protection for the same number
of stock. The underlings Of the herd
(Which need protection the mosD crowd
in without fear among the older ones
Dehorned cattle will stand or lie down
as close together as a flock OF sheep.
Thus punched, the animal heat pass
ing off will raise the temperature Of
the stable very preceptibly; this we all
know means saving Of feed and also
adds greatly to their comfort and
growth. Iu this Western country
where lumber is SO high, the decreased
amount of material used in providing
shelter is an important item. My shed
is boarded up all around with four
foot opening every sixteen feet in front.
Doors for the closing of these openings
in times of extreme cold or during
blizzards, would be advisable. My
feeding steers crowd around the troughs
without fear. All feeders know no W
boss steer with horns will often 60
from trough to trough keeping the rest
in a turmoil. Undue excitement Of
the COWS of the dairy will decrease the
flow of milk. Taking off the horns,
thus taking away the weapons of warfare,
will do more to make the herd quiet
than any one thing I know Of. Many,
through ignorance, think dehorning a
cruel practice ; yet when one considers
the advantages gained, and the suffer
ing from horn thrusts, but one conclu
sion can be drawn, that it is most
humane act, an act Of mercy to the
horned brutes. / was the FIRST person
in this section of country to dehorn,
and some were ready to "bounce me off
the claim.' The loudest takers,
though. were those who never have.
and probably never will, own an ami
NAL with horns. Now, within radius
Of FIVE or SIX miles, there are about
twenty of my neighbors who have de-
horned, and all laud the practice.
HOW TO DEHoRN.
I have several animals with one horn
growing, while the other side is per.
fectly smooth, showing that the one
was not sawed close enough. 1t was
my first experience, never having seen
the Job done, at that time. Follow
closely the following directions, and it
will insure you herd of smooth
muleys. On young growing stock the
horns should be sawed SO as to take of
from one.fourth to one half inch OF
hair all around, and on older stock lit.
tie hair should be taken. There will be
less bleeding if sawed closely, than il
sawed further from the head, and there
is less solid horn to saw through. Tie
animal in strong stachion, as in nc
other way can it be SO easily confined
The head must, of course, be held rig
idly. Have rope twenty feet long with
ring at least two inches in diameter
attached to one Of the ends Run rope
through ring. Place loop over head
of animal, draw up moderately tight
with ring on size Of neck close to jaw
Run second moose through ring an d
over nose of animal. Now you have q
rope halter. Pass rope over top Of
stanchion, draw head to one side
and as high as possible. Take of
horn next to stanchion first. Put
nothing on the horn. There is but little
nerve exposed, and wound heels quick
y. Animal will eat as soon as turned
loose, and will not be off feed.
There will be no decrease in flow of
milk after first milking, if at all. No
animal will bleed to hurt, and the old
ones will bleed but little, if at all. The
actions of the animal abundantly prove
that dehorning is in no respect as pain
ful as branding. Use fue, sharp saw.
II. H. Hanff's dehorning saw is best,
but good meat saw, or stiff backed
carpenter saw does very we'll. The
horn is nothing, unless a weapon of