Care of the New- Born Animal 567 



Milk contains all the elements necessary for nutrition, consti- 

 tutes the natural food for new-born animals and induces in them, 

 when supplied in due quantity and of proper quality, very rapid 

 growth. 



6. The young animal should be placed and kept under com- 

 fortable and favorable conditions, free from extremes of tem- 

 perature. Although it may withstand quite high and low 

 temperatures without serious injury, if the temperature be 

 extremely low the extremities of the new-born, especially the 

 ears and tail, very readily freeze, or its life may be quickly im- 

 periled under such extreme conditions. In very hot weather flies 

 may be exceedingly troublesome and annoying to the young, or 

 even very dangerous. For example, they may carry putrid 

 infection to the navel of the young animal and cause thereby 

 serious and fatal disease, so that we should, as far as possible, 

 protect it against these dangers. 



7. Exercise is as essential to the new-born animal as to the 

 adult, and possibly even more so. With some species, like the 

 carnivora and rabbit, the young are born in so immature a state 

 that no marked degree of exercise is possible, but with the 

 larger herbivora the young animal is ready for a considerable 

 degree of exercise within a few hours after birth, and this should 

 be promptly provided in all cases. When the mare is allowed 

 the run of a pasture, exercise is fully secured to the foal. In 

 case of other animals a similar freedom accomplishes the neces- 

 sary ends in the safest and best manner. Otherwise, some provis- 

 ions should be made for the daily exercise of the young animal 

 as soon as it is capable of taking it. With work animals it is 

 not injurious, but rather beneficial, for the foal to follow the 

 mother if engaged in slow, light work. 



