LECTURE XLIV. 



CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE COW AT CALVING 



TIME. 



Cows never do so well as when they are on grass. It 

 is a good plan, if possible, to have the pregnant cow, when 

 dry, out on grass. She should be in good bodily health and 

 condition at calving time, and there is no better preparation 

 for this than out on grass. 



If a cow is confined during the latter stages of preg- 

 nancy, she should receive a ration of clover hay, roots, silage, 

 corn stalks, a little ground oats, bran and oil cake, during the 

 last month or so. Near the time of parturition the feed sup- 

 ply should be reduced and a couple of days previous to calv- 

 ing she should be given a dose of salts in the form of a 

 drench. Kindness, too, is necessary at this time. Enclose 

 her in a box stall. If it is a heifer's first time, rub the 

 udder and teats at least twice a week for a month or six 

 weeks previous to parturition. This will tend to make her 

 quiet as well as give shapeliness to udder and teats. 



After the calf has been delivered, give the cow a drink 

 of tepid water. A little oat meal put in the water will help 

 to nourish her. Do not allow her anything to eat for several 

 hours. Begin her on a light ration and keep increasing 

 until at the end of three or four weeks she can be put on 

 full ration. If she is a full grown cow, you can breed her 

 again the first or second heat, or at such time as it will suit 

 your conditions. 



Milk fever is one of the serious troubles which you must 

 try to avoid. This is best done by keeping the cow's bowels 

 in a laxative condition and by lessening the milk producing 

 ration for a time before and after calving. 



Allow the calf to take the colostrum (first milk) from 

 its mother, and wean it in not more than two days. 



