CALVES SUCKING EACH OTHER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 8, 7 December 1935, Page 5

CALVES SUCKING EACH OTHER.

SOME REMEDIAL MEASURES.

When calves are reared together they sometimes indulge in tho practice of sucking each other. This is a vicious habit Lid when once acquired is difficult to break off When one animal starts, others seem to'follow the bad example Consequently wo have often heard complaints of calves being unthrifty without the owners being aware that this practice was responsible for the falling off in condition. It is hard to know which animal is most harmed by the habit tho sucker or the sucked In the case of the sucker, tho continual'drawing of air causes flatulence and indigestion, while in the case of tho sucked the effects arc sometimes even more disastrous. # The real remedy, when possible, is to feed calves separately and keep them apart until all taste of milk has disappeared from their mouths. Phis may be helped bv placing a little fresh hay within their reach. Other remedial measures consist ill keeping a head-stall on each, the nose band of which has been studded on the outer surface with sharp points, so that when sucking is tried the irritation caused bv tho points will frustrate the operation. Dressing the parts selected for sucking with a strong solution of aloes is another plan which sometimes gives good results.