a question about horns

mary,tx · #1 07/25/11, 06:03 PM

One of the little heifers, at 10 weeks plus whatever she was when I brought her home, has some symblance of horn buds. But they are loose and I can wiggle them around. I'm hoping this means they won't grow into real horns. What do y'all think?

G. Seddon · #2 07/25/11, 06:15 PM

Here's an article from the ADCA (Dexter) website that may help you, but note the 2nd paragraph (under Classification) about heifers at pre-weaning age.

http://www.dextercattle.org/genpolled-scur.htm

mary,tx · #3 07/25/11, 07:35 PM

Thanks. Interesting read. I guess I just have to wait and see if I don't want to burn.

Ronney · #4 07/26/11, 06:23 AM

I think you have nothing to worry about if you can wiggle them. Over the years I've had a few cattle from polled/horned crosses come through with scurs and they remain as buttons that can be moved. A true horn cannot be wiggled and if it can, there is a problem with it in that they have knocked it and are about to lose it. A friend breeds Angus and has had several scurred calves, the best being one that had scurs grow to about 3" long and then they dropped off. The "horn" wasn't the smooth hard surface of horned cattle, it was pitted and sort of soft - like it wouldn't have been hard to mark it with your nails or a screwdriver.

Cheers,
Ronnie

mary,tx · #5 07/26/11, 11:46 AM

Thanks, Ronney, that's what I was thinking. Seems like if they don't feel solid they won't be a problem. I'll keep checking them.

postroad · #6 07/26/11, 11:50 AM

I had a heifer calf like yours. The horns did eventualy grow but not as large as usual.

mary,tx · #7 07/26/11, 02:32 PM

Thanks. I think I'll let them be. It took a lot of effort to tame her.

haypoint · #8 07/26/11, 05:09 PM

IMHO, burn it off and be done with it. The longer you wait, the bloodier and more painful it will be. I'm against horns for two reasons: dangerous for me and my other livestock. Also, in the event I have to sell, the horns take value. Many auctions will saw off horns and it is a bloody mess.
So, if you aren't sure, just do it and save the trama later. If you do it and it wasn't needed, at least it was done early, so less pain and I'll bet you could use the practice.
It shouldn't be a setback in your "taming" efforts.

mary,tx · #9 07/26/11, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haypoint

It shouldn't be a setback in your "taming" efforts.

I'm not convinced. I disbud kid goats at under a week, and they quickly forget and forgive. When I have had to redisbud later, they have not been so quick to forget. This calf is already about 3 months old. I think I'm willing to take a wait and see approach.

Ronney · #10 07/27/11, 08:34 AM

Mary, personally I think your taking the best option. If these buttons can be wiggled around she's got scurs and they are very unlikely to develop into anything much to worry about and probably won't develop into anything at all. I don't believe in fixing something that ain't broke.

As a matter of interest, all my milking cows have their horns and they dispute the theory that they damage their milker or each other - they don't. The Jersey/Simmental would have had a beautiful spread had she not broken one half way down. Cattle know they have horns and make allowances for them. They are at their most dangerous when they are yarded and that should be understandable - like people, they don't like others crowding their space and when we yard them that's exactly what we're forcing them to do. The only time mine get close to using their horns is when I've got them yarded for drenching or TB testing. Their milking yard is large enough for them to not be crowded. That isn't to say that there are not circumstances where dehorning shouldn't be performed. Large dairy herds are a good example. But for the smallholder with a little Jersey cow it should be no big deal. And remember than the horns are actually very sensitive so a smart smack (not hard) on the horns with a stick, or even your hand, will make a cow think twice if she's being bolshie and having you on.

Cheers,
Ronnie