Too Late to Dehorn Again? - Pictures

[ericnovak]

I had the bright idea to dehorn my cow myself - I've got no big animal vets in the area and the closest person I know is almost 2 hours away. Figured for 40 bucks I can get the iron and do it myself plus then I'll be able to do cows in the future.

Long story short the cow didn't like the feeling of having his head burned (I think he was about 2 months at the time) and having someone basically lay over him did little keep his head from moving around. I burned it good but I don't think I burned deep enough. A few weeks later the cow looks like this:





Anyway, any hope? He's exactly 66 days old. Can I get a Novocaine shot or something to make him quiet down? Where would I get one anyway?? If I can get one from farm and fleet what other stuff should I grab while I'm there to keep mr. meat cow healthy and safe?

On another note the elasterator castration went PERFECT.

[copperhead46]

I don't think you can re-burn at his age. You're supposed to use the iron before the horn ever comes through the skin. If he's going for meat, I wouldn't worry about the horns.
P.J.

[agmantoo]

I doubt that the horns will amount to more than a scur. Scurs are a partial horn growth. They are not full horns, but some of the horn bud was left, and this grows some horn

[Karin L]

Just leave him be he'll be fine. Like copper said, it's no use worrying about doing a perfect job on the horns if he's going to go into the freezer in a while.

BTW, a cow is not a "he". He, being that he was banded a short time ago, would be nothing more than a steer, or steer calf, seeing he's only a couple months old. Cows are, in an actual sense, mature female bovines, not little steer calves. Just wanted to clear that up for you.

[randiliana]

First off, scurs and horns are 2 different things.

Scurs are a bone like growth, which develop in the same location as horns do. Generally, they are not attached to the skull, and often do not grow very large. Usually they do not appear until an animal is several months old.

Horns are a bony growth, which is attached to the skull. They start development while the calf is still in utero and continue to grow for the life of the animal (if left alone).

I wouldn't worry too much about your calf's horns, especially if you plan to put him in the deep freeze. They won't grow so much that they will affect that, and it looks to me that you did a reasonably good job. They may develop some, but it will be slower than normal, and they may be deformed.

[NICC08]

You don't eat the horns! He will be fine.

It doesn't look like they will fall off by the looks of it. You need the iron red hot and hold it over the horn for 8-10 secs while twisting the burner back and forth. If you've done a good job there will be a gold ring around the horn base and the horn will be cracked.

He didn't like being burnt??? What did you expect? Would you like it if I held your hand on the stove coil???

Next time throw him down on the ground and hog tie him. Then put your knee across his neck and burn the horn. Flip him over and repeat for the other side.

[ericnovak]

Thanks folks. We'll see what happens here.

Randiliana - I figured I had better take them off early so I don't have to worry about them later on. Just heard a story about someone who's cow was nice and tame but had big horns. She got spooked one day and took her horn right through the persons face 0.o Now he may be headed for the deep freeze but I figured he would fit places better and be easier to handle without points on :P

NICC08 - He didn't kick around very much just threw his head back and fourth even with a kneed on his neck. I didn't want to burn his face or anything so I was a tad shy for the first time :S

[topside1]

Eric see my thread titled "disbudding 101". Next time you'll be a pro....Topside

I'd build a head catch and do it again...

[topside1]

Calf Disbudding 101 w/Pics

[ericnovak]

Haha, thanks Topside.

[JK-Farms]

if they grow out, just cut and burn them, or take to a vet, and like copperhead said if its going to be sold for meat, dont worry about it.