THE NEW-BORN CALF

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 23 August 1911, Page 7

THE NEW-BORN CALF

There are two distinct ways of treating these. Where milk-selling is the pressing work, and the nonrearing of calves the rule, the cow and the calf have no association from the time of delivery. The calf is picked up and taken right away. It is almost surprising how kindly the cow takes to the separation ; many hardly give one bellow; and this is fortunate, as they are better not upset. But there is only one way of keeping them happy, and this is to never allow the cow to fondle the calf. The calf does not fret either, and it is all accepted as a matter of course. In this case, the new calf should be picked up and put in a new dry pen by itself, and well rubbed over with soft straw. Do this gently and well; it is a substitute for the mother's care. Do not be in a hurry to rush the calf on its feet; let it rest in ease, and rise when inclined —it will soon strive to get up, and will succeed. In an hour or so after being born, draw a pint of mi)k out of the mother,, and give it to the calf. Give it whole, hot, and newly extracted; put it in a bucket that has previously been warmed. Put the calf's nose into it, and the first and second finger in its mouth; it will naturally suck. Persist in getting it to do this; it will soon learn, and, indeed, may take to it straight away. For the first three days give it a pint of new milk, taken from the mother, three times a day; increase this to three quarts, still from the mother, and in a week or two put it on the usual young calf rations. Do not insist on giving it milk substitutes too early, and keep all extremely clean and sweet. There are many conditions to the contrary that are tolerated, but never without injury to the calf. When the calf has to be suckled on the cow for a few weeks more or less, if the cow is at liberty when she calves, let her follow her first inclination by licking the calf. When this is completed, let it rise, if it will, and suck. If it.falls and is very tottery when one hour old, stand it up to the udder, and then insist in putting a teat into its mouth, and keep it there until it sucks and enjoys its first meal. Nothing is more bracing than this; all are set up by it. Feeding should then be regulated to the admission of the calf to the cow, morning, noon, and night, and on each Dccasion it should be allowed to satisfy itself. In some cases the calf remains continually with the 3ow, but I prefer penning them comfortably elsewhere, and only associating to feed.