The Calf Mammals 
FOOD 
The first food the young calf should have is the 
mother’s milk, as this is necessary to cleanse its diges- 
tive system. If for some reason this is impossible, 
one or two ounces of castor oil should be given before 
the calf is fed; if the calf is to be fed by the mother 
cow, it should have nourishment three times a day 
until three weeks old. But if hand-raised, it should 
be fed on warm, sweet milk three times a day. The 
first few days this should be whole milk, but it may 
be changed gradually to skimmed milk; the feed- 
ing periods should be regular. During the first 
week, from six to eight pounds of milk per day 
should be given, and a pound should be added to 
this daily ration every week with the advance in 
age of the calf until the food is changed. When about 
four weeks old the calf should be given skimmed milk 
altogether. The change should be made gradually; 
and the amount given should be increased to ten 
quarts daily, but not more. When it is two or three 
weeks old begin to teach the calf to eat a little grain. 
Place a handful in the pail after it has finished 
drinking the milk. After it has learned to eat grain, 
it should be given a feed box, and when it is six 
weeks old it should be able to take daily one pound 
of the following mixture: 
3 parts corn meal 
3 parts ground oats 
.3 parts wheat bran 
I part linseed meal 
The calf should also be taught to take hay with 
the grain. Let it nibble at sweet alfalfa or common 
clover hay. After the first or second months, allow 
it to have access to cool, clear water. 
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