THE DAIRY HEIFER.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18203, 2 March 1929, Page 10

THE DAIRY HEIFER.

SELECTION AND CARE. All young heifers should he handled as much as possible before calving (suvs the Department of Agriculture). A docile and contented animal is a better producer than a very nervous and excitable one. Some weeks before calving the heifers should be put into the dairy herd and going out and in with the herd will enable them to soon become accustomed to their attendants to the new surroundings and especially to the bails in the milking shed. If a 8 is the case .in a number of herds today, the majority of the cows are dehorned, there is not much danger from goring from the older animals in the herd; otherwise it is a wise precaution to allow the heifers to pass through the bails when the cows have been dealt \Hth. It occasionally happens that firstcalving heifers have very much swollen and oedematous udders especially if n good condition. This usually appears about ten or fourteen days before calving. Such a condition need not cause any alarm and gradually disappears in the first few Weeks after milking has started. If the swelling extends far along the abdomen brisk massage considerably relieves the condition and the young animal thus becomes more easily handled. The care and attention and handling given at this period renders first calvers docile, and in no case will it pay to roughly handle and frighten young dairy heifers. Necessity for Condition. The young heifer requires to be well fed and in good condition during this period. Any extra condition acts as a reserve upon which the animal can draw during the milk period. There is seldom any danger of young heifers being too fat as rarely if ever do firstcalving heifers become affected with milk-fever. Good ensilage or hay and roots with pasture will supply the roughage; about two to four pounds daily of some concentrate is also desirable during the last month of pregnancy. Flushing during the last week of pregnancy until bran mashes also enoeurages the milk-flow. Such a practice cannot be carried out unless the young animals are used to the bails or within easy reach of the homestead. If the animals are some distance away from the homestead a daily

inspection is necessary to see that each animal is in good health and condition. Should any animal calve prematurely it is advisable to at once remove it to an isolation paddock in case the animal is infected with the organism of contagious abortion. Seldom is there much difficulty at parturition if the heifers are well grown and have been well fed. Undersized and ill fed animals often experience trouble and may require assistance at time of delivery. Such animals require to be kept under observation and timely assistance given by an experienced attendant, otherwise if the presentation appears normal the animals are best left by themselves in a sheltered paddock.

It is a good plan to leave the calf with the mother for the first three or four days. If left too long some difficulty may be experienced in getting the animal to give her milk in the usual course in the first four milkings. The more handling and care the better. During the first few milkings perhaps a good deal of patience will also be necessary if the udder is swollen. The application of vaseline is useful to soften inflamed and swollen teats and renders the first few milkings easier.