List of the specific animal welfare issues in dairy animals and calves. Discuss the supporting and against arguments in disbudding, dehorning and horn tipping in dairy animals.

 Dairy animals: -

Dairy animals are the animals reared for the aptitude to produce large amounts of milk, from which dairy goods are made. The dairy animals can be generally classified under the following two categories:

a.      Common Dairy Animals

·         Cattle

·         Buffalo

·         Goat

·         Sheep

·         Camel

b.      Less Common Dairy Animals

·         Yak

·         Mithun

·         Horse

·         Reindeer

·         Donkey

The number and composition of dairy animal herds differ considerably among regions and countries.

Animal welfare issues in dairy animals and calves: -

India is the world’s foremost milk producer, with 22 % of worldwide production, followed by the USA, China, Pakistan and Brazil. By more animals rather than a rise in efficiency per head, India has enlarged its share in global milk production.

The general restrictions faced by dairy animals in India with associated implications to animal welfare are:

·      Unfavourable environments - hot and /or humid (Freedom from suffering, thermal and physical distress).

·         Low-quality feed sources (Freedom from starvation, thirst and malnutrition).

·         Diseases and partial access to amenities (Freedom from discomfort, injury and disease)

·         Low inherent potential for milk production and resultant cross-breeding (Ethical breeding).

·         Dairy farm management performs (Freedom from discomfort, distress and expression of usual behaviour).

The cross-bred animals give extra milk but need improved production management, feeding, housing and veterinary care. Most milk is produced by small-scale native / cross-bred cattle and buffaloes under extensive or semi extensive production systems. The human-animal bonding is positive, economics are secondary and welfare concerns are generally taken care within the available resources.

Disbudding: -

Disbudding is the removal of the undeveloped horns/horn buds from a young dairy animal. The horn buds are cauterised and destroyed before they are grown into horns. Initial age disbudding is favoured, rather than the older animal.

Most commonly used methods are: -

·         Thermal cautering of the horn bud by a trained worker using an electronic dehorner.

·         Elimination of the horn buds with a blade or scoop when the calf is under two months old.

·      Application of chemical paste or corrosive to cauterise the horn buds when the calf is under one week old.

Dehorning: -

Dehorning is the procedure of eliminating the horns of mature dairy animal. It contains the removal of the horn by cutting or sawing through the base of the horn near to the skull.

Horns are detached mainly due to two reasons:

·         As part of treatment.

·          As part of dairy farm management processes to avoid injuries to supervisors.

Horn Tipping: -

Horn tipping is cutting of horn’s pointed end in developed dairy animals that were not dehorned. It is less worrying on the animal as there is no blood loss and lack of nerve endings at the tip. It decreases the risk of eye loss and perforation wounds.

Supporting and against opinions in disbudding, dehorning and horn tipping

a.      Supporting arguments

·         Horns may cause injuries to trainers or other animals.

·         Horned animals take up more space for nourishing, watering, transportation etc.

·         Injuries cause harm to hides.

·         Horned animals may need particular equipment, such as feeders and angulate crushes.

·         In some strains, horns may grow towards the head, ultimately causing self-injury.

·         Horns may develop broken, affecting blood loss and latent for infection.

·         Horned animals may develop trapped in fences or vegetation, producing self-injury.

b.      Against arguments

·         Dehorning and disbudding without anaesthesia is very painful to the animal.

·         Horns are the usual defence instrument to defend self and calf from predators.

·         Horns deliver a secure point for fastening or holding the animal’s head.

·         Horns are old-style and breed standards may require their existence (e.g., Hallikar cattle breed in Karnataka).

·         Horns are of social significance, often being decorated or even trimmed into odd shapes.

·         In very hot climates, horns are beneficial for thermoregulation and freezing.