Disbudding

[Silver Marten]

We are getting a calf soon. How old is about the oldest we can expect to successfully disbud him? It is Dexter bull calf, now 6 weeks old.

[Callieslamb]

I use the paste on mine at about a week old.

[Silver Marten]

I have never used the paste. We have done several baby goats in the past and one calf last year. I think she was 8 weeks old and turned out well. I want to leave this bull calf with his momma as long as possible but I don't want to miss the time I can use my disbudding iron on him.

[Carol K]

I think it's already too late to use an iron on him, his horns are probably already through the skin. I'd advise having the vet do it. I'm pretty sure if you are going to use an iron you need to do it before they come through the skin, and it's also too late to use paste.

Carol K

[sammyd]

6 weeks shouldn't be too late if the buds will fit in your iron.

[topside1]

Why not buy the calf, disbud now, and leave it with the dam until the agreed upon pick up date...Topside

[Silver Marten]

Had not thought about disbudding there. Will see if we can work that out. If not, the vet may end up doing it because he is going to stay with his dam for at least another month. Thanks for the replies.

[springvalley]

I rarely burn my calves buds, even though I have several burners. And you can burn them off older than yours is, if you have a larger burner. > Marc

[bigbluegrass]

You can dehorn them all the way until they are full grown. It is just a much bigger job the longer you wait. I like to do mine at a week or two old, then you don't need much help. I burn them with an electric burner. I have done 6 week old calves the same way, you may just need some more help holding him down. Might want to just go ahead and make him a steer while you have some help holding him down. At least that is what I would do.

[KOHL HAWKE]

I just debudded my holstein calf when I did the goats. We "burn" with eletric debudder and can be done up till aprox 1/4 inch according to the instructions with our iron...the later the more apt to get scurs...works for us..sometimes the FFA or 4H instructiors have one or maby can network you to some one, I do the goats for someone for $5. Just some ideas to thow out there

[ozark_jewels]

I have successfully disbudded heifer calves up to three months of age. But it should be done much younger if possible. I agree, I would pay for him now and disbudd him now. Stress would be much eleviated by him still being on his dam anyway.