LECTURE XLVI. 



STABLING SUITABLE FOR DAIRY CATTLE. 



In the proper care and management of the dairy cow, 

 one of the most important points to be considered is suitable 

 stabling. Other classes of stock are able to withstand more 

 or less exposure to cold, but the dairy cow must have warm 

 quarters. She is, in a large degree, an artificial animal, 

 more delicate than the beef animal. This is especially true 

 of those breeds which belong to the so-called special purpose 

 dairy cattle; such as the Jersey, Guernsey, Holstein and 

 Ayrshire. Any exposure to cold will seriously check the flow 

 of milk. It will also increase the cost of production as the 

 feed which should be used for milk production will have to 

 be used to supply heat for the animal body. 



In beef cattle the ration is of a fattening nature, which is 

 closely associated with heat production. Such feed stuffs as 

 corn and barley are useful for this purpose. The ration of 

 the dairy cow is of a more nitrogenous nature, thus not so 

 well adapted for heat production. This being the case it is 

 very important to supply the necessary heat by artificial 

 means in the way of warm stables. Beef cattle will do nicely 

 in stables with a temperature ranging from 40 to 45 F. 

 Dairy cattle should have warmer quarters; from 50 to 55 or 

 F. is about right. 



The dairy cow is a hard worked animal and should do 

 service for several years. Many cows are profitable at fifteen 

 years of age. This being the case we can readily see the 

 necessity of taking every precaution possible to protect the 

 health of the animals. Since milk is used so largely as a 

 food by the human race, it is very important that the animals 

 which produce the same are in perfect health. This calls 

 for plenty of sunshine and pure air in our dairy stables. The 

 majority of our dairy cattle barns are sadly deficient in this 

 respect. Too many are dark, dirty places with no means of 



