Lost horn

[Singing Shepherd]

Last week one of my rams, a month shy of one year old, lost his left horn for the second time. It bleeds a lot and definitely hurts...he acts "off" for a day and doesn't make it easy for me to get near him to apply BluKote. But otherwise he is fine and is back to himself soon. My question is why does this keep happening? The other horn is growing normally. I have taken to calling him the One Horned Wonder! The first time he knocked the horn off while rubbing his head on the field cultivator. I retrieved the horn and observed that it was a sort of cap, not solid. I learned from reading up on horns that young rams in some breeds go through early growths n regrowths sometimes. If this is it, why does the other horn not suffer the same fate? His new nub seems more tender and prone to bleeding than last one. Is the fact that he's a cross with a polled breed be a factor here? Thanks for your responses.

 

[promiseacres]

Polled breeding is a definate factor. Can definatly cause horns that are prone to breaking and poor growth.

 

[Singing Shepherd]

I noticed today that his nub is easily brought to bleeding (just slightly) with the play between him n his brother. He doesn't seem to care but I wonder: should I keep treating with BluKote or something each time I see blood, or just let it go til eventually it heals on its own?

 

[Four Winds Ranch]

It is up to you! I leave mine and have never had a problem!!! Sometimes they look pretty ugly for a bit, but they seem to heal up fine! I have found, as they get older, the horns are less likely to get rubbed or smacked off! ( Might be just mine though!!)

 

[L J]

I was scrolling through threads to see if anyone else had this problem besides me. I have the sheep/goat hybrid, who is now 6 months old today. However yesterday one of his horns, about 2 inches long- just fell off. I have no idea where, but its gone. Some bleeding. I treated it w an antiseptic spray (for livestock). I guess its not as abnormal as I thought it would be.

Anyone else have this issue? His mom is Katahdin (not sure what breed the goat side is)

 

[Roving Jacobs]

My jacob lambs knock off growing horns pretty regularly. It bleeds like crazy but generally isn't an issue. Mine get some fly spray and are sent on their way most of the time. When the big boys lose a horn then it gets serious