FEEDING AND EXERCISING THE HERD BULL 135 



his power to bring about improvement. This cannot be so. All 

 bulls should be dehorned for safety and convenience in handling. 

 A long wire, to which he may be hitched so that he can walk 

 back and forth, may help. An empty beer keg in his pen will give 

 him something to butt around. Probably, the best way is to drive 

 him or to use him in a tread power. Certainly a bull will breed 

 better if he is kept down in weight and is exercised regularly. It 

 is an axiom that all animals will be improved in their breeding 

 powers, if regularly worked or exercised. 



205. Housing. — Except in severe weather the bull needs 

 nothing more than an open shed that will protect him from the 

 wind. A bull pen off from his paddock with the door open at all 

 times will keep him in better physical condition than if penned or 

 tied in the barn. 



The objection to this is that he will look unkempt and shaggy. 

 It is better for him and we can forgive him his looks if he will give 

 us good daughters and sons. Judge the looks of a proven sire in 

 his daughters and sons, and not through his own appearance, 

 particularly if he is a little thin but good and lively. Much time 

 is lost through the use of impotent bulls. 



206. Have the bull examined. — If your cows are not getting 

 with calf easily it may be that the bull is impotent. If there is 

 any serious delay, or cows have to be served more than once, it 

 is certainly good practice to have the semen of the bull examined 

 to see if the spermatozoa are alive and motile. The trouble may 

 all be in the bull even if he does appear to be lively and serves 

 the cows promptly. 



Lastly, do not overlook the importance of the bull. He is 

 entitled to more care than just the care of one individual in the 

 herd. His care is all-important because improvement cannot go 

 on without him. 



