MANAGEMENT OF DAIRY CATTLE 



83 



po^ed to severe cold weather. Cold rains and snowstorms 

 arc especially to be avoided. The most favorable temper- 

 ature has not yet been experimentally determined, but ob- 

 servation teaches that a barn temperature around 40 or 50 

 F. is as favorable as any. In cold climates the cow should 

 remain in the barn during the cold season except for a few 

 hoars during the middle of the day while the weather is 

 mild. On stormy days or during extreme cold she had better 

 be kept inside constantly. Many barns in such regions are 

 kept too warm. In warm climates it is not necessary to 

 house the animal so closely as this. An abundance of fresh 

 air is as necessary for the health of the cow as for any 

 other animal. This should be supplied by proper venti- 

 lal ion and not through the walls 

 of an improperly constructed 

 barn, or by leaving the cow out- 

 doors exposed to severe weather. 

 Excessively warm weather is far 

 more injurious to the cow than 

 moderately cold. There is no 

 practical means of making the 

 animal comfortable when it is 

 too hot. For this reason hot 

 weather and warm climates are 

 not favorable for high milk pro- 

 duction, especially if accompanied 



by a high humidity. FIG. 27. Teaching a calf to 



63. Milking the Heifer. If the lea( J. : good training for both 



parties. 



young cow is properly managed 



before she has her first calf, there is little difficulty in 

 teaching her to be milked. Calves should be accustomed 

 to being tied when small, and if this is done there will be no 



