TRAINING HEIFERS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4803, 28 June 1939, Page 3

TRAINING HEIFERS.

QUIET HANDLING NEEDED,

EDUCATION BEFORE CALVING

First-calving heifers are at times extremely troublesome when first brought into the milking-shed. A good idea is to put the young heifers through the yards and bails three or four times, during the six or eight weeks before they are due in. Preferably bring them up in company with a few old cows (winter milkers are generally on hand). Treat them quietly but firmly. Allow them to stand a while in the yard and watch the older cows bailed up and milked. Then put the heifers through the bails, doing this with door open and giving them a straight run through and out, on the first occasion.

Gradual Education.

On the next, bail them properly, leg-rope and chain being affixed. Keep the machines running and just give them a touch of the cups. Then massage the udder for a few seconds. Do it all as quietly as possible.

Heifers so treated before calvingknow that the shed is not a place to be frightened of. They are used to it and come to milking quietly. A great amount of fuss and trouble is saved. The strain of calving and the loss of a calf taken from a heifer puts her into a greatly excited state. That is the worst possible time for her to be introduced to the strangeness and bustle of a milking shed in full operation. As heifers as a rule calve later than the older cows, the milkers are really busy when the heifers come in. To have to battle with heifers is exceedingly trying. Better get that trouble over within the coming four or five weeks.