Feeding Dairy Cattle 



The amount of grain mixture fed will vary with the size 

 and condition of the animal. At this time, cows will eat 

 from ten to twenty-four pounds each day. The grain mixture 

 is usually light, palatable, and not very high in protein. Such 

 a grain mixture which has been widely used with good results 

 follows : 



Fitting ration: 



100 pounds wheat bran 



100 pounds ground oats 



100 pounds hominy 



100 pounds linseed oilmeal (old process) 



Many feeders have used cornmeal instead of the hominy 

 in the ration with good results. The cornmeal, if used, should 

 be fed with care or discarded entirely just before calving time. 



One very important factor which is often overlooked not 

 only in fitting but in the general care of animals, is the water 

 supply. The cow should have free access at all times to all 

 the good, clean water she will drink. If this is impossible 

 she should be watered at least three or four times daily and 

 should at no time be compelled to drink very cold water. 



The question arises as to the danger of udder troubles, 

 difificult parturition and milk fever due to the animal's being 

 fat. If the cow is kept laxative but little fear need 

 be entertained from the first two causes and rarely from the 

 third. Cows can usually be kept in a laxative condition by 

 the use of linseed oilmeal and succulent foods. It may be 

 necessary in rare cases to use a purgative, especially if suc- 

 culent foods are not available. 



CARE AT CALVING TIME 



A week or ten days before the cow is due to freshen, the 

 grain ration should be reduced and she. should be placed in 

 dry, well ventilated quarters. If she is to occupy a box stall 

 during the test she should be placed there at this time. Cows 

 are usually kept in box stalls while making short-time rec- 

 ords but this is not so commonly done for long-time records. 



As the cow approaches calving time she should be care- 

 fully watched. It is particularly necessary at this time that 

 she have plenty of water and be kept laxative. No fear need 

 be entertained for swollen and caked udders so long as these 

 conditions prevail and so long as the udder does not contain 

 hard feverish spots. 



If such hard feverish spots do occur they should be 

 reduced by rubbing with warm water. Grease may be 

 applied to keep the udder from irritation while it is being 

 massaged. Patent preparations may be obtained for this 



Page Sixty-two 



