Best calf dehorner/debudder

[An Gof]

Ive used one of these for last 4 years. Does a grand job

http://m.molevalleyfarmers.com/h5/r/molevalleyfarmers/mvf/store/products/express-gas-dehorner

 

[Hummin-Cummins]

We use one of these with no problems at all.

Don't forget your adrenacaine

H-C

 

[Henery]

I've got a Ritchie type, brilliant, light it up 10 minutes or so before you want to use, and keep gas topped up.
Revolutionised the job for me. Very hot and very reliable.

 

[Gulli]

Little Calor propane gas cylinder and one of these:

I've tried them all. The Horn Up is about the best of the mini portable ones, but vastly expensive and less versatile. I'd consider it with small numbers and working alone, otherwise go with my suggestion.

+1 we've always used one of these. All our dehorning is done in the same place so no need for a portable one and all the electric/handheld ones I've ever used for other people don't last or hold their heat long enough

 

[Curious consumer]

Why do you do this? Does it hurt them?

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Why do you do this? Does it hurt them?

It would hurt more if you didn't remove them (damaging each other)
No pain to the animal with anaesthetic

 

[Curious consumer]

It would hurt more if you didn't remove them (damaging each other)
No pain to the animal with anaesthetic

Ah ok that's fair enough thank you.

 

[Henarar]

View attachment 493498

We use one of these with no problems at all.

Don't forget your adrenacaine

H-C

we have one like that for 10 or 15 years it wasn't new then so most likely 20 years old, its needed one new tip in that time

 

[Henarar]

Why do you do this? Does it hurt them?

they don't feel it as much as they do when we put the ear tags in them

 

[Alicecow]

Why do you do this? Does it hurt them?

It hurts my boys every time they reverse out of the feed rail at the moment as they have horns approximately 6 inches long growing out like handlebars, which squishes their ears between the horns and the metal bars of the feeder rail. Ouch!
If I had dehorned them shortly after they were born (as in under a week old) they wouldn't remember it; it wouldn't bleed when it was done; I wouldn't be faced with a big struggle trying to restrain animals of 250kg plus who haven't consented to the procedure and who don't like the smell of blood. Although it's not something anyone enjoys doing it is much better for all concerned to do it sooner rather than later.
Cattle know when then have horns and don't mind who they use them on. One cow I had had a bent horn which she used to great effect on other peoples ribs, like a xylophone, so she could get to best place at the feed barrier. Once the horn was removed her manners improved no end.

 

[Henarar]

It hurts my boys every time they reverse out of the feed rail at the moment as they have horns approximately 6 inches long growing out like handlebars, which squishes their ears between the horns and the metal bars of the feeder rail. Ouch!
If I had dehorned them shortly after they were born (as in under a week old) they wouldn't remember it; it wouldn't bleed when it was done; I wouldn't be faced with a big struggle trying to restrain animals of 250kg plus who haven't consented to the procedure and who don't like the smell of blood. Although it's not something anyone enjoys doing it is much better for all concerned to do it sooner rather than later.
Cattle know when then have horns and don't mind who they use them on. One cow I had had a bent horn which she used to great effect on other peoples ribs, like a xylophone, so she could get to best place at the feed barrier. Once the horn was removed her manners improved no end.

they also grow/do better with no horns IMHO

 

[Hummin-Cummins]

Out of curiosity how many of you not using LA?? We always use it and wouldn't have it any other way, but know plenty who don't !!!!!

H-C

 

[Henarar]

Out of curiosity how many of you not using LA?? We always use it and wouldn't have it any other way, but know plenty who don't !!!!!

H-C

always use it

 

[sodbuster]

Hornex paste everything. Never fails

 

[M-J-G]

I re light mine each time, I think I'm on my third now.

You're not supposed to re-light it, you let it go out and just turn the gas back on.

I have used one for 5 years without a problem, the end is pretty much red hot.

It is very handy and is less cumbersome than the horn up.

But nothing beats a polled calf, there will be a day where horned cattle will be a thing if the past.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

But nothing beats a polled calf, there will be a day where horned cattle will be a thing if the past.

Regrettably I think it'll take decades though

 

[S J H]

Biggest problem with these is that the gas won't burn properly if outside temperature is below about 8 degrees, I always put it in house overnight and keep in pocket when dehorning- that's the gas not the iron

You're not supposed to re-light it, you let it go out and just turn the gas back on.

I have used one for 5 years without a problem, the end is pretty much red hot.

It is very handy and is less cumbersome than the horn up.

But nothing beats a polled calf, there will be a day where horned cattle will be a thing if the past.

How long do you have it lit for before turning off? I thought it was on for 5 seconds, turn off then turn back on? I flick the spark because I can't see how there's enough heat there to re ignite itself

 

[slackjawedyokel]

We usually have a handful to do each year (bought a polls South Devon bull last year so hopefully no more). We didn't get on with a gas dehorner, so went back to the old fashioned one (lump of shaped copper-type stuff on a longish handle and separate gas burner) which worked fine for our purposes. always use ligno.
https://goo.gl/images/vFWe8D

 

[simmy_bull]

Those are shite, the jet blocks up all the time and lugging the bottle about is a ball ache

And the wind blows it out if your crush happens to be outside.

 

[Billy Sugger]

If you have enough to do ie block calving .
Get the vet to knock them out with general and local. Easy and calves dont miss a beat.All done in a day.