170 Animal Castration 



of the ovaries is now located, the chain loop placed above it, and 

 by ratchet movement of handle the chain loop is closed and the 

 ovaries' attachment severed. The opposite one is removed in like 

 manner, and both are brought out when hand and ecraseur are 

 withdrawn. 



After Care and Treatment — Sanitary quarters and limited diet 

 for several days constitute the necessary after care and treatment, 



HEIFER SPAYING. 



Objects and Indications — Heifers are spayed for the sole pur- 

 pose of growing them for desirable beef animals. Spaying ap- 

 pears to modify or alter the whole organism, especially as regards 

 external symmetry and muscular development. There is a de- 

 cided tendency to quicker growth, and spayed heifers are prone to 

 take on fat rapidly at most any age. Such animals can be grown 

 to maturity without the inconveniences of "heat" and pregnancy, 

 and command the same price on the market as steers. They may 

 be allowed to comingle with other animals in the herd — including 

 bulls — with the assurance that pregnancy will not occur. The 

 operation has been practiced extensively for years on the Western 

 ranches with gratifying results. It should be encouraged and 

 more widely practiced everywhere beef cattle are grown. As an 

 economic operation its value is hard to overestimate. It is in- 

 deed a simple and easy operation to perforin, and is accompanied 

 by a low mortality rate. Where once introduced its many merits 

 will usually commend its more general practice. 



Age — The most preferable age is 8 to 12 months, care being 

 taken to spay before the heifer becomes pregnant. 



Season — Spring and fall. Spaying should be done in the spring- 

 before flies appear, and in the fall after they disappear. Not ad- 

 visable to operate during fly time. 



Preparation — Withhold feed for 24 hours previous to operat- 

 ing in order to have alimentary tract comparatively empty. Water 

 in limited amount may be allowed. 



Position — Standing. 



Restraint — Spaying stocks (Fig. 139) are ideal means of re- 

 straint. When stocks are not available the quickest and at the 



