Kalfarm have made modifications to the head of the HornUp dehorner.
The new design is more robust, has new instructions for use and is now recommended for calves of up to 20 days of age.These changes ensure the HornUp is still very quick and easy to use and will also produce consistently ‘clean’ results.
A key difference from other dehorning tools is that the HornUp does not physically remove the horn bud. Instead, the blood vessels surrounding it are cauterised leaving the bud to die without needing to be gouged out. This method is more humane and less stressful for the animal than traditional dehorning methods.
However, as the process is based on cauterisation and not physical removal of the horn bud, the HornUp is only recommended for use on calves under 20 days old – the younger, the better.
The cauterising head of the device heats up to 700°C within the first second of being switched on, and this temperature is maintained throughout the process. To de-bud a calf, the device is positioned firmly over the horn bud, switched on and held under gentle pressure while rotating 45° to the left and right. The device beeps after 7 seconds to signal completion. For successful ‘clean’ results, a further 7 seconds of pressure may be needed with some calves to achieve a full 5mm deep circle of cauterisation. With a fully-charged battery, the HornUp will dehorn 40 calves.
