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Stakeholder views on treating pain due to dehorning dairy calves

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

JA Robbins ,
DM Weary ,
CA Schuppli  and
MAG von Keyserlingk
JA Robbins
Affiliation:
University of British Columbia, Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
DM Weary
Affiliation:
University of British Columbia, Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
CA Schuppli
Affiliation:
University of British Columbia, Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
MAG von Keyserlingk*
Affiliation:
University of British Columbia, Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: [email protected]
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Abstract

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A common and painful management practice undertaken on most dairy farms is dehorning young calves (also called ‘disbudding’ when done on calves less than about two months of age). Despite much evidence the practice is painful, and effective means available to mitigate this pain, it is frequently performed without pain relief. The overall aim of this study was to describe different stakeholder views on the use of pain mitigation for disbudding and dehorning. Using an interactive, online platform, we asked participants whether or not they believed that calves should be disbudded and dehorned with pain relief and to provide reasons to support their choice. Participant composition was as follows: dairy producer or other farm worker (10%); veterinarian or other professional working with the dairy industry (7%); student, teacher or researcher (16%); animal advocate (9%); and no involvement with the dairy industry (57%). Of 354 participants, 90% thought pain relief should be provided when disbudding and dehorning. This support was consistent across all demographic categories suggesting the industry practice of disbudding and dehorning without pain control is not consistent with normative beliefs. The most common themes in participants’ comments were: pain intensity and duration, concerns about drug use, cost, ease and practicality and availability of alternatives. Some of the participants’ reasoning corresponded well with existing scientific evidence, but other reasons illustrated important misconceptions, indicating an urgent need for educational efforts targeted at dairy producers and dairy industry professionals advising these producers.

Keywords

animal welfareattitudescalvesdehorningdisbuddingpain
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 24 , Issue 4 , November 2015 , pp. 399 - 406
Copyright
© 2015 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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