LECTURE XXXIX. 



FEED, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE DAIRY 

 HEIFERS. 



The young heifers are taken in from the pasture in the 

 pink of condition. They should not be fat, but they 

 should be growthy and thrifty looking, with bright eyes and 

 large nostrils. Their coats should be sleek and glossy. A 

 large, roomy abdomen will indicate a large digestive tract 

 in which to make good use of large quantities of roughage, 

 such as corn stalks, hay, alfalfa and silage. 



Provide good, comfortable quarters and feed good 

 muscle and bone forming ration made up of clover hay, corn 

 silage, roots, a little bran or ground oats, with some corn 

 fodder and straw once in a while for a change. Bear in 

 mind that the heifer, like the calf, must not acquire the 

 habit of putting on fat; so beware of corn or other fat 

 producing foods. Silage and roots will take the place of the 

 succulent pasture grass and will tend to keep them in good 

 health. 



When to Breed Her. The heifer should be bred at from 

 15 to 20 months, so that she will freshen (drop her calf) for 

 the first time at from 2 to 2% years of age. Let her begin 

 her life duties at an early age. Giving birth to her first 

 offspring is a trying time in the life of the young heifer. 

 Comfort and kindness should not be spared her. Up to this 

 time she should be handled and made entirely familiar with 

 her attendant, the cattleman, whoever he may be. Even 

 then she will be timid at this time. Place her in a comfort- 

 able box stall when she shows signs of parturition, so that 

 you can be near to show her such attentions as she may 

 require. A couple of days before parturition reduce her 

 ration somewhat and give her a dose of salts as a drench. 

 This will have a tendency to prevent milk fever and other 

 troubles which might arise at this time. 



After calving do not allow her to have any cold water 

 for 24 hours. Give her a little tepid water to drink, and if 



