The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-28
Dishorning CnttIe.

o. ]. Vine: While the majority of farm
ers and dairymen are reconciled to the
practice of dishorning, and have proved
their faith by having their herds dishorn-
ed, yet there are still few who oppose
it, as evidenced by letter received from
a correspondent some time ago, in which
he asked my opinion after expressing some
doubts as TO the advisability of dishorning
The advantages of dishorning are so many
and so manifest that | can scarcely under
stand why any one should oppose it. Cat
tie are so much more peaceable and con-
tented after being dishorned; there is no
disposition on the part of any of them to
boss or domineer over the others. They
are all on an equality, and are not quar-
relsome. 1 have seen one COW stand half
an hour at the watering trough TO prevent
the others drinking, but after being dis
horned she never attempted it. When de-
prived Of their weapons they become very
peaceable Cattle were wild originally
and needed horns for defense against other
wild animals. In their domestic state
horns are not needed, and are a source of
annoyance and danger.
Dishorning has been opposed by some
on the ground of its being inhumane. This,
however, is a strong argument for rather
than against it, The little pain an animal
suffers from being dishorned is very small
compared to the suffering inflicted on it by
the other members of the herd if they
have not been dishorned. When done by a
skillful operator the pain attending dis
horning is very little and of short dura-
ton. They viii invariably commence eat
ing as soon as turned loose, which they
certainly would not do if the pain was ex-
cesstve, as some claim. Judging from ap-
pearance the pain maybe compared to
that of extracting a tooth-severe for
moment only. The bleeding has tenden-
cy to make it appear more barbarous than
it really is. The bleeding seldom continues
long if the animal is kept stabbed and
quiet. 1 never knew OF but one case that
bled to death. That was young bull that
had been turned into the field Immediately
and not looked after A young animal will
usually Deed more than an older one In
case the bleeding does not stop in half an
hour or an hour at most, an application
of equal parts of -four salt and finely
pulverzed alum win be found effective. In
extreme cases ii may be necessary to sore
the wound with hot iron In one in
stance in my experience this had to be
resorted to. 1t is undoubtedly best to
breed polled cattle for future use but
swith those already in existence, the horns
must be sawed or clipped off; of the two
>
cumbersome rack is needed, and the opera
ton is more quickly performed. An ex-
pert will clip the horns off almost before
the animal knows what is happening.
With a herd dishorned, there are no hook
ed or injured cows nor any danger of
abortion from the same cause.
The losses from abortion, directly and
indirectly caused by the useless and dan
gerous horns, is enormous in the aggre-
DC Tho lnScpnfror Of ~ ha nj
tendants is an important factor in favor
of dishorning. Scores of accidents have
occurred where persons have been badly
injured or killed by cattle, not always
bulls either, but young cattle and even
mich COWS have been known to turn on
their attendants and injure them severely.
II is unwise to run any risks when the in
struments of danger can be so quickly and
easily removed. In the matter Of saving
of space in stabling there is much in favor
of dishorning cattle. Mich cows need no
stalls, even when fastened with chains,
and certainly not If fastened with stanch-
ions. As they do not quarrel, they can be
placed close together. Young cattle can
be turned into a stable loose, and will be
as peaceable as so many sheep. The same
may be said of fattening cattle. l have
seen over a car load of fat cattle averag-
ing LOO pounds each. eating peacefully
egNOSANAAANAA
are beginning to see the advantage In
handling dishorned cattle. Dishorned
feeders and fat cattle sell higher than
horned cattle of like quality. While il is
advisable to have all cattle dishorned, it
certainly is much more necessary to have
all bulls dishorned. When thus disarmed
there is no danger in handling them They
| become obedient and tractable. A horned
bull is a dangerous animal, always liable
to be treacherous. He may be safe one
| moment, but angry and furious the next.
Calves can be dishorned very easily when
a week or two old. Trim the hair from
where the horns are beginning to grow.
wet it and apply caustic potash. This will
| blister 1t and kill the embryo horn. If
carefully done, no scar will be noticed af-
forwards. The potash comes in sticks.
and should be handled carefully to pre-
vent injury 20 the hands. If the blistering
is done during the summer, apply pine
tar to the wound to heal it quicker and
keep the flies from 1t.
A Farmer to Farmers.