CARE AND FEEDING OF DAIRY CATTLE. 



27 



Cows are very subject to retention of the after-birth. When the cow is in good 

 condition the after-birth is usually expelled a few hours after the calf and often 

 immediately. Cows in a low condition are liable to this trouble. Giving cold water 

 to drink soon after calving may cause it. All water given the first day should be 

 warm, and a warm bran-mash is also beneficial. When the after-birth comes away 

 it should be removed. Otherwise the cow will eat it. Directions for the treatment 

 of retention of the after-birth are given in a later section, as also is the treatment 

 for milk- fever. 



CARE OF COW AFTER CALVING. 



The vitality of the cow is low following calving, and hence she needs special 

 treatment. She should be away from cold draughts, and in cold weather covered 

 by a light blanket for a few days. The water should be warmed, and a warm bran- 

 mash is also good, with some good hay or green stuff. She should not be put on full 

 feed for about two weeks, gradually increasing the amount of grain. The udder will 

 likely be hard and inflamed and remain so for some days, but this condition will 

 gradually subside and the udder will be all right if the milk can be drawn. Such 

 an udder is better milked three times daily to allay the inflammation. 



A Jersey model, " Bosnian's Anna." 

 WATER FOB THE Cow. 



An abundant supply of good water is exceedingly important for the cow in milk. 

 A dry cow does not require much water, but when milking the consumption increases 

 enormously. A cow milking 30 Ib. daily will drink about 90 Ib. of water in winter. 

 If this water is very cold, digestion is stopped until it warms up in the stomach, and 

 the warming process takes so much away from the milk yield. Water should be at 

 least 60 Fahr. when drunk by the animal, for the maximum production. Dry cows 

 in winter do not need watering more than once a day, but cows in milk should be 

 watered twice daily. It will pay to pipe water some distance to have the trough 

 handy for the cattle. They will drink more and give more milk. Pond-water is 

 usually very unsanitary if the pond is small and the cattle can wade in it. Such a 

 water-supply may easily taint the milk, besides causing muddy udders. If the pond 

 is fenced and there is no objectionable drainage into it, such a supply may be all 

 right. For watering cattle in the barn the continuous cement manger is often used, 



