Saturday, April 9, 2011

Update on dehorning Victoria

After an uncomfortable night with her head wrapped in duct tape, this morning we relieved poor little Victoria of her burden.


Once we chased an annoyed and protective Ruby out of the barn, it was a simple matter to catch Victoria and snip the duct tape off her head.


With the duct tape peeled away, the ugly wounds were revealed.


But truly, this is as bad as it gets. Her head will heal beautifully after this, though it will take several months for the scabs to fall off. But as I said before, if her behavior is anything to go by, the pain is minimal. Finally sprung free from the confines of the barn, Victoria spent the rest of the day bouncing around and looking adorable, testing out her legs and making friends with Polly and Thor.


Another successful dehorning!

4 comments:

  1. Victoria has a look on her face that says..Do you think I am finished? Kind of defiant and curious at the same time.

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  2. Many years ago, I watched a traditional dehorning procedure and it was a bloody mess. The cows and calves were bawling, the horn stubs bled profusely, the stubs then had to be cauterized - it was really a frightful process. This chemical dehorning procedure is by far more humane, less stressful, and a lot less likely to lead to infection. I think of it as similar to having warts removed chemically - not too bad if done early on.

    You've chosen the most humane way to dehorn your calves. Kudos to you and Don.

    Anomymous Patriot
    USA

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  3. Girl if you keep it up with these heifers we're gonna hafta start calling you Dairy Queen!

    A.McSp

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  4. Patrice, I just received my copy of Backwood's Home and noticed that your article on Dehorning Calves is in this issue on page 51!
    Well Done!


    notutopia

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