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C. DETERMINING AGE OF AN ANIMAL
Determining age of the animal is important while purchasing a new animal since the information
provided by the seller may not always be reliable.
I. DETERMINING AGE BY DENTITION
At birth to one month, two or more temporary incisor teeth are present. By first month all 8
temporary incisors appear.
The central pair of temporary incisors are replaced by
permanent ones which attains full growth by 2 years (thin
arrows).
Dentition of a 3 year old cattle with 2
pairs of fully developed incisors
Dentition of cattle aged around 4-5 years
with 4 pairs of permanent incisors.
The third permanent incisor
erupts at around 30 months
of age (thick arrow)
The fourth permanent incisors
erupt after 30 months.
The second pair of incisors is
fully developed at 3 years.
By the 4-5 years the animal
has a full set of permanent
incisors. (In buffaloes by 5-6
years)
By the sixth year, the central
incisor shows wear and
leveled top.
The wearing progresses steadily after the sixth year and by the
tenth year, all the incisors show significant wear and space in
between them.
II. DETERMINING AGE BY HORN RINGS
This is not a good guide and may give only a very rough idea. The first horn ring appears at 10-
12 months. One ring is added approximately in a year. But at the fifth year, the first three rings
may not be visible and after 8 years, none may be visible.
Determine the age of animal before purchase
Dentition at 30 months
Dentition after 30 months
Dentition at 3 years
Dentition by 4-5 years years
Dentition by 6th year
Dentition by 10th year