Many people perceive that cows don’t have horns, but this belief is actually false. All cattle, male or female, naturally grow to have horns.
People often think female adult cows don’t have horns because they were removed when the cows were young. This practice, known as dehorning, uses specific tools to remove the horns from the cow’s head.
Scientists have made a hornless cow using gene editing. Buri, created by researchers in Japan, shows a future without dehorning. However, a discovery revealed the cloning failed due to a plasmid, a small bacterial gene, found only in the cloned cow.
Why Do Cows Have To Be Dehorned?
Cows are dehorned for safety. Their horns can be dangerous to humans and other animals when agitated. Horns can also injure other cows and damage buildings and fences.
Dehorning cows when they’re young is the easiest and most humane method. They’re sedated during the procedure, which takes a few days to heal.
Is Dehorning Necessary?
Cows can be managed without dehorning. Proper handling and training make this possible. It requires effort to ensure safety for both cows and workers.
The choice to dehorn cows depends on how you manage your herd and your risk tolerance. Ultimately, it’s your decision as a farmer whether to dehorn them or not.
