Methods for Disbudding Dairy Calves

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The practice of dehorning or disbudding dairy calves has been implemented on modern dairy farms to prevent injury from horns to caretakers and other animals in the herd. Horn removal also helps prevent problems with horns catching in head locks or chute systems when cattle are being worked. Although often used interchangeably, the terms disbudding and dehorning have different meanings. Disbudding is the destruction of the horn-producing cells of the horn bud, typically in calves less than 8 weeks of age. The horn attaches to the frontal sinus of the skull at about 8 weeks of age. Dehorning takes place after this attachment at 8 weeks or older. Dehorning is more invasive and should be done by a veterinarian, while disbudding is a management practice that can be done by dairy producers.

Removing horns when a calf is at a younger age can be less traumatic to the animal because they are not yet attached to the skull. Dehorning at later ages may negatively affect the animal’s performance due to the associated stress and trauma. Methods for disbudding and the process of restraining younger animals are also typically easier compared to older animals and dehorning methods. Because of negative animal welfare and management implications, all calves should be disbudded before 8 weeks of age. Disbudding before 8 weeks may also be required by animal auditing programs like Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program.

You can also contact state Extension specialists or your local Extension office for answers to specific questions.

Publication 3835 (POD-02-26)

Reviewed by Jessica Halfen, PhD, Assistant Professor, Animal and Dairy Sciences, from an earlier edition by Kevin Braman, former Graduate Research Assistant, and Amanda Stone, PhD, former Associate Professor, Animal and Dairy Sciences.