When dehorning autumn calves with a gas dehorner, calves under two weeks of age will not require an anaesthetic.

But once calves pass the two-week-old mark, it is a legal requirement to use anaesthetic before you dehorn calves.

Inject the anaesthetic into the cornual nerve which is a soft spot on the calf's head just the side of the eye.

Give between 2mm and 5mm into each side of the calf's head and work it with your finger up to the horn area after giving the injection.

Allow the anaesthetic to settle for a few minutes.

Calves should be securely restrained in a dehorning crate when carrying out the task. Make sure that the burner is very hot before using. If it’s not hot enough this can lead to bleeding.

Clip hair around the bud to expose the bud properly and apply the dehorner over the bud and twist in a circular motion.

Apply terramycin spray or aluspray after removing the horn bud.

Removing horns at a younger age is less stressful on calves but there will be calves that do not show horn buds until they are one month old.

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