Calf Disbudding 101 w/Pics

[topside1]

I usually disbud my calves at 3-4 weeks old simply because I feel they are old enough to deal with a little stress. Below are photos of the tool and steps that I use.

First trim away hair from the horn bud using scissors or clippers. Now you can clearly see the horn bud tip and darker horn bud color. I used to mark the bud tip with a colored marker to always see the target before the burn.


This is the iron I use for calves and goats (Rinehart X-30). Heat the iron until the hot end is cherry red.


Next secure your calf in some type manner. I use a miniature head catch.


Now burn the outside of the horn bud for 10 seconds, not a quick 10, a real ten seconds with moderate pressure. While burning rotate the hot iron in a circle pattern achieving a copper ring around the bud. I burn 5 seconds on one side, shift to the other side then back to the original side for the added five seconds and so on equaling 10 seconds each side. The photo will show the copper ring, the yellow color is a spray coating.


Spray with a anti-bacterial coating if desired.


Once completed release the calf and determine who need the nerve medicine the most, usually I do....Hope you enjoyed the thread....Topside

[Cheryl aka JM]

Thanks Topside. If you get a chance could you get us a pic of a horned calf and a polled calf where the horn bud would be at that age sometime? Mine were supposed to be polled and I looked at and felt their heads several times. The had knobly heads but I thought that was normal as I could not see any protrusion or growth until they were at least 3 months old. At that time I started suspecting they were horned but when I had others (amateurs like me) feel their heads they said it was my imagination until they were almost 5 months old when the horns started to actually grow and you could feel the pointy ends.

[freedomfrom4]

The polled calf I had his hair was smooth

[copperhead46]

Great tutoriol topside, makes it very plain and easy to understand, thanks !!

Cheryl, if the calf has horns, the hair will make a swirl where the horns are under the skin, if it's a polled calf the hair will be smooth. Also, you should be able to feel the nubs when the calf is really young.
P.J.

[myersfarm]

thanks topside;;


still looking forward to meeting in person

tjm

[topside1]

TJM, give me a heads up if you decide to head to the Smiths Grove sale barn this fall...Topside

Thanks copperhead, I hope the photos help new folks to calves...Topside

[mary,tx]

On the head catch, are the boards stationary? Is there a latch for his head, or do you just hold the head down? When you do the burning, are you on the head side of the catch? If so, how are you holding him down? Are you facing him when you burn his head(maybe with his head on your knee?), or straddling him somehow? Sorry for the stupid questions, but I guess I'm one who has to see things done.

[topside1]

Mary the horizontal 2" x 12" boards are stationary. The vertical 2" x 2" boards pivot on bolts. Adjust the boards to fit the calves head with the holes in the top of the 2x12's. The latch is just the inserting of the bolts and the boards squeezing onto the calves neck. The calves head and eyes would be looking at the camera; I stand in the pen, on the butt side of the calf. Then while straddling the calves’ body I lean over hold the nose and begin burning....Great question, hope I helped.

[mary,tx]

Thanks. That does make sense, although I'm imagining that being easier for someone taller than me.