Castration, tail docking, age, methods, welfare issues By Dr Clive Dalton These procedures have been carried out for centuries, castration to reduce the number of males on the farm, and docking tails to avoid the growth of dags that attract blowflies. So the term “docking” for both these operations, done at the same time. Both … Read more
Cattle, farming, husbandry, dehorning (disbudding), castration By Dr Clive Dalton What use are horns ? A horn very close to growing into an animal’shead which needs urgent attention. Horns were designed by nature for cattle to fight with and for dams to protect their calves from predators. They damage hides, they bruise meat (which is not … Read more
By Dr Clive DaltonCastrating lambs with rubber ringsUsing rubber rings is the best way to castrate lambs in both large and small flocks. It is bloodless and research has shown that the intense pain only lasts a short time. Lambs should be castrated using rings before they are 6 weeks old – the younger the … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton Casting This is the wide sweep a dog takes around stock when sent to gather them. It’s a strong natural instinct in the Border Collie. When the dog sights its first sheep, it then takes another wider cast so as not to miss any more, and it keeps on casting wider itself. Problems … Read more