What equipment is commonly used to dehorn a newborn calf?

The use of a caustic stick for dehorning newborn calves is a common practice because it is a chemical method that effectively destroys the developing horn buds without causing significant injury to the animal. The caustic stick typically contains a caustic agent that, when applied to the horn bud, encourages the tissue to necrose and prevents horn growth. This procedure is often preferred for very young calves, as it can be done without the need for anesthesia and is less invasive than surgical methods.

In contrast, other equipment, such as clippers, saws, or scissors, are not ideally suited for dehorning calves because they either pose a higher risk of injury or are not effective in removing the horn buds at such an early age. Clippers might be used for trimming purposes but do not remove the horn tissue, saws and scissors can lead to excessive bleeding or pain, and are generally used for older animals where removal of fully developed horns is necessary. Therefore, the caustic stick is the most appropriate and commonly used tool for this procedure in newborns.