CARE OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS 505 



The advantage from the presence of an attendant may 

 result from various occurrences. These include an abnormal 

 presentation which may call for assistance; feebleness in 

 the progeny such as may require aid without which it would 

 succumb ; and in rare instances a viciousness on the part of 

 the dam which would result in harm to her offspring. In 

 inclement weather, the necessity for the presence of an at- 

 tendant is proportionately increased. The profits that oc- 

 cur from keeping live stock are probably influenced more 

 by the results at the time of parturition, than by those oc- 

 curring at any other period. 



The condition of the dam at parturition is always more 

 or less fevered. This fever creates thirst. To relieve this, 

 water should be supplied to the extent of the desire of the 

 dam to take it. But in no case should the water be cold. 

 In all instances the chill should be removed from it to pre- 

 vent a chill being given to the system, which, at such a time, 

 would almost certainly prove fatal. This caution should be 

 observed for some time subsequently to parturition. 



No harm is likely to result from allowing dams to eat 

 all the dry fodder they will consume after the birth of their 

 progeny. But in no instance should they be given large 

 quantities of concentrates for several days after parturition. 

 Feeding them thus freely at such a time tends to produce 

 disturbances in the udder which may readily prove fatal 

 to both dam and progeny. Any excess of milk in the udder 

 should be taken from it by hand milking, where this is 

 practicable. The time required to put dams on a full grain 

 ration subsequent to parturition varies from one to three 

 weeks, according to the conditions present. 



Amount of exercise. Live stock cannot be grown to 

 maturity with highest success unless they are given the op- 

 portunity to exercise according to their needs during the 

 process of development. The necessity for exercise varies, 

 as also the amount of the same : ( I ) With the age of the 

 animals ; (2) with the class of the same 5(3) with the object 

 for which they are kept, and (4) with the nature and 

 amount of the food given to them. 



