CALVES FROM BIKTII UNTIL ONL YEAR OLD I3 



Prominent among the benefits that result from con- 

 fining them are the following: (i) Much less room is 

 called for by either cow or calf during the period of 

 housing. (2) The disturbance to the cow is less when 

 the milk is withdrawn from her only at stated and reg- 

 ular intervals. (3) It is probable that the dam will 

 furnish more milk when the milk is taken only at stated 

 intervals than when taken irregularly, as when the calf 

 is with the dam. This assumption is based on the 

 known tendency in irregular milking to reduce the milk 

 flow in the cow that is milked by hand. (4) When 

 confined the calves may be fed supplemental food more 

 easily and more satisfactorily than when they run with 

 the dam. They are in this way so accustomed to such 

 food that they may be weaned with but little hazard in 

 arresting growth; and (5) they can be more per- 

 fectly protected from flies in the fly season, and from 

 hot sun in exceedingly warm weather. The preponder- 

 ance of opinion favors confining such calves to stalls 

 and paddocks until the weaning season is past. 



When calves remain with the dam until weaned, 

 when not on pasture, both cow and calf must be kept 

 in a box stall. Into this the cow should be placed 

 several days before she is expected to calve, as a pre- 

 cautionary measure, should parturition take place in the 

 absence of the attendant. The calf, if healthy and 

 strong, will take nourishment sufficiently early, but if 

 weak, it may be necessary to help it to do so, and if 

 weak beyond a certain degree to give it some of the 

 dam's milk, it may be with the aid of a spoon. The 

 attempt to retain such weaklings should not be made, 

 unless when of much value because of inheritance in 

 blood lines that are much prized. Such animals seldom 

 attain to development that puts them in the first rank 

 of excellence. When once well on its feet, a calf will 

 usually take care of itself. But it is greatly important 



