CHAPTER X 



THE HEIFER 



T T pays in more ways than one to be on friendly 



terms with our animals. You must pet and talk 



to the young heifer so as to gain her confidence 



and afiection. 



Place her early with the herd of milk cows, and 

 watch that no harm befalls her. A sudden fright 

 from a dog or an unusual sight may cause her to 

 lose her calf. 



Go through the process of milking her to accus- 

 tom her to being handled. 



See that her calf is removed unknown to her, 

 twenty-four hours after birth. Go into the stall 

 soon after the calf is taken away, groom and caress 

 the young mother; and if she gets the idea that you 

 are the baby, so much the better for the milk pail. 



The heifer's udder for a few days after calving 

 is swollen and inflamed and often painful. She is 

 nervous and excited. If you have been in the 

 habit of handling her, she will allow you to gently 

 rub her udder and draw a little milk. The relief 

 thus given will further instal you in her affections, 

 and her last thought would be to lift a foot to kick 

 you. The kicking cow is not born; she is made 



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