34 BETTER DAIRY FARMING 



Where a calf is alone a ease of scours will be noticed at once and 

 the feeding modified accordingly. Separate pens keep the calves 

 from sucking each other's ears. A pen four by six feet will be large 

 enough. It should have a feed box for grain at such a height that 

 the calf can reach it without straining and it should have a slat 

 feed rack for hay. The partitions between pens should be three 

 feet high. Where more than one calf must be put in a pen, larger 

 pens will be needed. In this case, it is a good thing to have 

 stanchions with a feed manger wide enough to hold the milk pail. 

 The grain can be fed right after the milk and then the calves can 

 be loosened from the stanchions. 



In summer calves are much annoyed by flies and do not do as 

 well on that account. During the times when the flies are espe- 

 cially bad, spraying with a good fly repellant is worth while. 



62. Scours. — The most common trouble that will be met with 

 in rearing calves is scours. We have previously referred to it in 

 connection with the change to skim milk. It is most likely to 

 occur during the first two months. When scouring occurs it 

 indicates that the food is not being handled properly. In addition 

 to its resulting from a change of food, the most probable causes 

 are too much food and lack of cleanliness and regularity in feeding. 

 When the trouble occurs the feeder should satisfy himself that his 

 utensils are being cleaned property and that the skim milk fed is 

 sweet, clean and at the proper temperature. If the trouble does 

 not clear up in a day or two he should next cut down the amount 

 of food temporarily, or even omit a feeding or two entirely. 

 Scouring must not be allowed to continue. Not only will growth 

 be hindered, but the longer the condition exists the more difficult 

 it is to overcome. Do not be afraid to cut down the feed under 

 these conditions. Food which is not digested properly not only 

 is of no use to the animal, but also forms products harmful to the 

 system. Most feeders are apt to err on the side of overfeeding 

 rather than underfeeding, particularly in the early months. It is 

 a good thing to remember in connection with all materials fed 

 that the calf will do better if he does not get quite enough to 

 satisfy his appetite than if so much is given that a part is refused. 



