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Dexter calves wearing their duct tape. Some people prefer
to cut ear holes in the tape, one calf is shown each way. Photo by
Sally Schwuchow
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Cut the hair around the horn, put a SMALL dab of the paste on each side, and place
a single piece of duct tape over both horns, over the head, (like an
Alice-In-Wonderland headband). Then put the calf back with Mom. He will not rub
it into his eyes, and he will not rub it on Mom. If he's young enough, he'll
think he was born with it and will leave it on for a month! The tape needs to
stay on
a day, so avoid doing it on rainy days, or lock the cow/calf in the barn for the
day. Usually the tape will stay on for some time. If you are worried about
a scab falling off somewhere, you can remove the tape yourself in two weeks and
the scabs will be attached to the tape.
The possibility of re-growth should be the major criterion for deciding what
method to use. When re-growth occurs, its removal is often necessary, not only
for esthetics, but, for some reason, re-growth likes to grow backward into the
head. It may take five years for a dehorning scur to grow into the head,
but our Dexters live a lot longer than that, unlike commercial steers. Novices
(and even veterinarians) often botch iron dehorning and this results in
re-growth. Or, breeders wait until they get a few calves together and call a
vet.
This means that at least some of the calves will be older and will need a more
elaborate and painful dehorning, (usually cutting the bud off before burning the
area). The scoop method is gruesome, and when used alone it almost always
results in re-growth in Dexters. It also leaves the animal vulnerable to flies
until it heals. The paste method is simple, and I have demonstrated this method
to everyone who has purchased cattle from me. Because it is so easy, calves are
dehorned in the proper time period, when it is most humane, and the incidence of
re-growth has been zero.
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