When is a calf to old to to use castrating rings?

[aggieterpkatie]

John is right about cutting or banding at 10 days not helping. I would guess that the calf is just playing, and it is being interpreted as being mean. As to the horns, if he's a Holstein, he's got them, they are just not emerged yet. I'll bet they are there under the skin.

I asked the dairy farmer where we got him if he had horns and they said he didn't. I was concerned about this so I asked them twice. Once on the phone and once when we where looking at him. Both times they told me he didn't have them... ahhh I sure hope he doesn't because that would be a whole new set of problems! Is there a way we can look or feel if he does? Grrrrr I wanted just herefords.... but the DH calls the shots.

At 5 weeks you'd be able to feel horn buds.

 

[jhm47]

I guess it's possible. I checked and found out that there are a very few polled Holsteins.