Head shape job

[jconner2088]

Needing to have two steers heads done dehorned and shapped. And recommendations. Steers are located in central tx.

 

[CRS]

Make sure they have a lot of experience and they suture well. This is what a cosmo should look like. Unless you looked for the scar you never would have found them.

 

[Shebet21]

Bret Cody of Cody's Cattle Service. He has a facebook page with contact info. He's good.

 

[jconner2088]

Ok thanks. Cody's might be the way to go. We usually have them done before they leave the place but with the wqy it has been this sale season things got crazy

 

[knabe]

Get a battery powered dehorner and nip it “in the bud”

Works good.

 

[jconner2088]

Get a battery powered dehorner and nip it “in the bud”

Works good.

Yea and ive seen ppl that have dont that to show cattle and man it sure didnt nip nothing in the bud for looks. Looking to dehorn and shape, cosmetic. Have learned over the yrs its an art. I have watched some vets try it and they butchered it.

 

[knabe]

so you want to shape the head rather than get the button before 1 week old and not use paste either?


not following.


those two techniques are insufficient for head shape?

 

[knabe]

also, dehorning, if done late, makes cattle sensitive around their head, scared of chutes, etc.


i get it, paste is annoying, you have to shave it first, and battery de-budders are spendy, but then so is dehorning, especially if you pay to do a few, the de-budder more than pays for itself quickly.

 

[jconner2088]

You and I are talking two different things. Hense my first response......... Read OP

 

[Chuck Wagon]

Wharton Vet Clinic does a real good job if that is a closer option

 

[WT]

Not sure where you're located in Central Tx but Dr. Pohler in Wharton is right at the top of the list. It's probably a good haul but if you've want them to look really good he's worth it.

 

[jconner2088]

Thanks guys, I was able to get em to shane meier. Only bout a 2 hr trip so not bad.

 

[CAB]

Jconner, you are right, I think you and Knabe are talking about two different things. I think what Knabe is suggesting or asking is why not dehorn them one way or another on day one? I've dehorned 100 plus calves over the years with a scissors, a tongue depressor, and a $10 bottle of dehorning paste. Once in a great while the cow will lick the paste off but not very often and you would not be able to tell that they were born horned hardly ever. I have never used the other method that Knabe was referring to but I'm sure it would give you similar results. what do they charge for a surgical dehorn/head shape job these days if you don't mind sharing? Thanks.

 

[jconner2088]

Usually cosmo runs about 100.... i understood where k abe was going however even just doing paste or scoop from day one when calves get bigger i have had to still go get a head shaped. So not really any better. Especially with shorthorn calves here in texas you just dont get the look by just nipping horns off.

 

[Gargan]

Do people shape heads on polled cattle to make their heads more appealing?

 

[jconner2088]

Polled hereford angus no...... a polled shorthorn yes we still shape.

 

[knabe]

Ugh

 

[jconner2088]

?

 

[knabe]

?

ugh. a polled head is perceived as needing to be further shaped.


at some level, it's a shame that show bulls aren't all homo polled at this point.


i get it that the polled gene can supposedly make them appear weaker in their rear end.


still, it's sad that as an industry that after all these years, polled isn't more pervasive.


hardly anyone uses old continental import bulls which are mostly horned and it's been 40+ years since they were imported.


obviously also, the polled herefords have struggled to make their cattle look as good and powerful as the horned ones as a whole.

 

[jconner2088]

Other than the polled hereford that just onee hereford and really several polled herefords here in texas. Ill leave it with this texas show do things different. I appreciate the folks that tried to help and get me to someone that could help get these calves to fave heads dehorned and shapped. However as usual turned into something totally of topic.