l6 THE MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF CATTLE 



given more concentrates relatively than those that are 

 given milk for a longer period. 



Calves when reared on skim milk. — However calves 

 may be reared, it is important that the first food given 

 them shall be the milk of the dam. In this milk, usually 

 spoken of as the colostrum, is a purgative principle, 

 which is usually effective in expelling from the digestive 

 tract all matter that has collected there before the birth 

 of the calf. Without such expulsion, the normal pro- 

 cesses of digestion cannot properly perform their func- 

 tions. Unless these substances are expelled within a 

 reasonable time subsequent to the birth of the calf, 

 death will result. Should anything occur to make it 

 impossible to feed the milk of the dam to the calf as its 

 first food, a suitable dose of castor oil or some other 

 purgative administered to the calf soon after its birth 

 and before any food has been given to it will prevent 

 such a result. From one to two ounces of castor oil 

 should suffice. 



The calf that is to be reared on its dam will, of 

 course, take its nourishment from her as soon as it 

 should be taken, and as frequently where the conditions 

 are normal. Should the calf, however, be too weak to 

 take nourishment within a short time subsequent to 

 its birth, it may be necessary to withdraw some milk 

 from the cow and give it to the calf, which sucks the 

 fingers of the attendant while it is taking the milk. 

 When the calf is to be reared by hand, opinion is 

 divided as to whether it should be given its first meal 

 as just described or take it from the dam. The chief 

 objection to the latter method is the increased difficulty 

 in getting the calf to drink subsequently. The prepon- 

 derance of argument favors not only allowing the calf 

 to take its first meal from the dam, but to continue to 

 take sustenance from her for two or three days, or until 

 that time arrives when the milk of the dam may be 



