COVERING OF COWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20263, 24 May 1929, Page 19

COVERING OF COWS.

"Old Dairy Fanner" writes: In iTie interests of the cows, and the owners of the cows likewise, I should like to remark that cows are better without covers, especially as they are at present used, or abused, bv a largo number of people at any rate. Firstly, it is common to put the covers on much too early, usually at the first sign of winter or the first cold snap Three or four weeks of cold weather is just what is wanted to allow nature to assert herself and provide a thick coat of fur, which she invariably does, and then a cover may be of some value, if used intelligently. To cover too early means that the animals retain their sleek summer coats, and definitely will not grow a winter one. I have proved conclusively that the covered cows are much more sensitive to cold than the uncovered ones. It is obvious that a thin cotton coat is colder than a heavy tur °"e. I really think economically that cow covers should be dispensed with except in the case of sickness. One word to those wlio are using covers—do not leave them ori during the clay, or at least on hot days. Let the sun and fresh air get into their hides.. The abuse 1 of covers breeds 2ice, matty hair and dirty, greasy skins.