STOCK AND STATION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 8281, 24 October 1905, Page 2

STOCK AND STA TION.

Handling Cows.

Cows usually occupy a high position upon most farms, and therefore should be given thoughtful treatment. There are very many breeds of cows to be met with, but no matter what the breed on hand may be, the main object on view is the milk yield. Age, strain, individuality, feeding, housing and local climate, all tell upon the milk yield, but there is another stronger factor that should not be overlooked, and that is the handling of animals. It is a well-known fact that a cow that has been regularly milked by one certain person will yield less milk to a strange operator ; which proves that cows have, comparatively speaking, sensitive natures, and that, therefore, their handling should receive a good deal of consideration. A person placed in charge of cows should have a genuine interest in the animals. Cows have a good deal of individuality about them, and this needs to be allowed for, the animals are to do their very best. <4fc The best way of housing the cows is that which provides a separate stall for each animal. Very many cows are tied up in other fashion, but a stall gives a timid animal freedom from menace by other animals that can be assured by no other means of quartering, where other beasts have to share the same interior. A stall also assures each animal getting its allotted share of food, for when placed in common rack or manger some animals will reach most of the hay, and sometimes some of the animals get less food than others. The ordinary coiv-chain, sliding up and down a bar, has not yet been improved upon for tho actual tying up. See that the sliding is easy, and that the chain, though not tight round the neck, will not slip over the head. The cows that are best to do with are those that have been accustomed to handling right away from birth. This is clone in some districts, and in such districts it is rarely that an unhandy cow is to be met with. Tie the young heifers up for a time, at any rate, so that when tied up after calving they may be quite settled and comfortable. When going up alongside a cow speak to her kindly, and if you have a hand at liberty give her a friendly pat. Some cows have an awkward habit of tossing up their heads when anybody alongside them is them food or water. If the animal is a fresh one take no notice of this at first, otherwise than to keep your head clear, and when settled down the habit may be dropped. A cow that is an old offender in the matter should be spoken to sharply when she offends, but not beaten, for the use of a stick will but aggravate the offence. Some cows work their feet about nervously when approached. This usually means unkind treatment in the past, and can generally be cured in the course of time by being treated with systematic kindness. Few cows kick on being approached, but with an old offender there is rarely any cure. An animal that has but lately been taken in hand, unless abused, will generally drop the habit. A cow that kicks when being milked should at first be scolded. Should this not mend matters, the legs should be tied. Some kickers may be prevented by having food to eat whilst being milked. The stick should rarely be seen inside a coiv-house, for its use only upsets the cows, and generally aggravates an offence against which it may be pitted. The thrashing of the cow also tends towards nervousness in the others that may be near her. When out of doors cows that are on hand should never be dogged. A steady old dog may be permitted about them, but as for being chased or hurried by one this should never be permitted. When cows are being driven about they shoulf always be allowed to go gently along, for hurry is to check the milk flow. It is not advisable to walk the .cows far to daily pasture, for cows are not good walkers, and some become foot-sore during hot, dry weather. The voice should be a great factor in the management of cows,, and rightly used is far more effective and satisfactory than the stick, which latter might, in ordinary cases, be entirely dispensed with.— J. T. Bird in " Live Stock Journal."