CARE AND FEEDING OF DAIRY CATTLE. 19 



cannot keep any record of the date of breeding, as he should do. The heifers are 

 liable to be served far too young and be stunted in growth. Another bad feature of 

 the practice is that the bull exhausts himself until he becomes an uncertain breeder. 



The bull should be kept away from the herd, but he should be able to see what is 

 going on around him, and not kept in solitary confinement. The best way is to run 

 two bulls together, and let them work off surplus energy in friendly fights. 



A dairy bull has much more nervous energy or " steam " than the lethargic beef 

 animal, and this must be worked off in some way. An open shed and paddock are 

 best best when available. Some have the bull's ring attached by a chain to an extra 

 strong wire stretched tightly from post to post above the animal. He can travel 

 from end to end of this cable at will. One prominent dairyman of the Province uses 

 the herd bull on a tread-power to run his milking-machines. 



The open-air treatment is best except during severe weather, although it causes 

 the animal to appear somewhat rough owing to the long coat of hair he grows. 



DEHOBNING. 



Dehorning is best done while very young. If a mature bull has horns, they are 

 better removed. All bulls are dangerous, but they are less dangerous without the 

 horns. Get a veterinarian to dehorn the bull with a special dehorning instrument. 



A typical Guernsey cow. 



It should be understood that it is never safe to trust any bull. He should be 

 treated firmly but kindly. Bull calves should never be petted or teased. 



CALF-RAISING. 



Holstein calves at birth are the largest of any breed, often weighing over 100 Ib. 

 when born. They average about 90 Ib., Ayrshires 65 Ib., and Jersey calves about 

 55 Ib. Heifers' calves are smaller at birth than calves from mature cows. 



The cows are an important part of the herd. If care is taken in the choice of 

 a sire and in raising the calves, the dairyman who is compelled to start with a herd 

 of ordinary quality may in a few years raise the production of his herd greatly. 



