RAISING DAIRY CATTLE 



285 



Roots are also a satisfactory succulent feed, and pasture is excellent 

 for calves old enough to make good use of it. To avoid scours, they 

 should be accustomed to grass gradually, being turned to pasture for 

 only an hour the first day. Another method is to accustom them to 

 green feed by giving increasing allowances of soilage before turning 

 to pasture. It is well not to turn spring or summer calves to pasture 

 until they are 2 to 4 months old, for there is less trouble from scours 

 and the young things suffer less from the flies and heat. 



Birth weights and gains of calves. — The average birth weight of 

 calves of the leading dairy breeds is as follows: Jersey, 55 lbs. ; Guern- 



Fig. 80. — Rack and Trough for Feeding Hat and Grain 



The growing heifer should be encouraged to eat plenty of roughage in order to 

 develop a roomy digestive tract. (From Hoard's Dairyman.) 



sey, 71 ; Ayrshire, 76 ; and Holstein, 89. Bull calves are heavier than 

 heifers, and calves from mature cows are somewhat heavier at birth 

 than those from heifers. 



Properly fed on skim milk, along with suitable grains and roughage, 

 the thrifty calf should gain about 1.5 lbs. daily for the first 4 to 6 

 months. The aim should be not to fatten the calf but to keep it in a 

 vigorous, growing condition. 



Calves should be amply supplied with pure, fresh water, a point 

 which is often neglected, and as soon as they begin to eat grain and 

 hay they should get salt, the same as do older animals. 



