Removal of horn buds in goats is called which procedure?

• A. Disbudding
• B. Dehorning
• C. Debudding
• D. Trimming

Answer: (A)

Disbudding is the procedure of removing the horn buds in young goats to prevent horns from developing. The horn buds are the growth points on the skull, and removing them while they are still buds stops horn tissue from forming, which helps reduce injuries to goats and handlers. This is a preventive step done early, often with a hot iron or chemical cautery. Dehorning refers to removing horns after they’ve formed and attached to the skull, which is more invasive. Debudding isn’t the standard term used for this preventive procedure, and trimming is simply cutting or shaping horns that are already growing. So the correct term for removing horn buds to prevent horn growth is disbudding.