Horns

Originally, among domestic animals, there were animals with knobs and horns. In the wild, wild animals usually have horns (often at least the males) because they are able to defend livestock with the help of horns. When domestic animals became domesticated animals, horns were seen as more harm than good. In Finland, there are still horned native sheep (mainly rams) and there are also rarely horned native cows. Horns are common among the native sheep of Åland. Horned animals are often born with small horns. They then grow quite quickly already during the first year. The age of the animal can also be determined from the horn by counting the annual rings. 

Do you have a ram or a cow with small horn? You can favor the horn gene by mating animals that both or one have the beginnings of horns. Little by little, the horn genes are getting stronger. An animal can also have the gene for horns, even if it has no visible horns. This is how a horned ram and a ewe with no horn can have a horned lamb. Or a horned lamb can be born even though both parents are hornless.

When we keep native animals, we prefer horned animals because they are the most endangered. We understand that there is more work and also dangers with them. Our goal is to preserve genetic diversity for future generations and one part of that is animals with horns. You can also specialize by keeping horned animals. Do you have a horned native sheep ram or a horned native cow? Share your photos with us! Send a photo to: annika.michelson@hamk.fi

When the horn gene is regressing errors start to appear at horns. The horns can be too thin and thus break easily. A common error is that the growth direction of the horns is wrong - the horns can grow on the cheek, eye or back. No need to slaughter the animal! The horn can be sawed off so that it is not a pain or a nuisance to the animal (if there is very few with horns and you want to get them back). The horns are sawn enough and as little as possible with a hacksaw blade (usually it is easiest if you saw just holding the blade; no handle at all). Saw so that the corner (the sharpest end) faces outwards, not towards the head. Sawing takes place in such a way that the lower side of the horn is further away from the head and the upper side remains closer to the head.