178 



The Management of Bulls. 



[may, 



THE MANAGEMENT OF BULLS. 



The following notes on the care and treatment of a bull 

 have been prepared as a guide to farmers who have had little 

 or no experience of keeping a high-class sire, and especially 

 for those who are custodians of bulls under the Live Stock 

 Scheme of the Ministry. 



The bull has been said to be " half the herd." If he is to 

 get strong, healthy calves and prove a good investment he 

 should receive better treatment and attention than the ordinary 

 stock on the farm. 



Many bulls are housed and specially fattened for sale, arid 

 when such animals are purchased it is advisable that they 

 should be rested and carefully fed for the first few days after 

 arrival, until they have recovered from the effects of the 

 journey and have grown accustomed to a new attendant and 

 a change of diet. During this period sweet hay, linseed 

 cake, and bran are recommended as suitable food for a bull, 

 but after about one week he should be gradually accustomed 

 to whatever food it is intended to give him. Over-feeding a 

 newly-purchased bull with too much concentrated food, or 

 under-feeding with the idea of reducing his condition, are 

 equally dangerous. 



Feedingr.— The idea that bulls will prove unfertile or lazy 

 unless they are kept in lean condition is entirely wrong. To 

 obtain strong, healthy calves it is necessary that the bull used 

 should be in good condition and that he should be allowed 

 plenty of exercise. 



From 4 to 6 lb. per day, according to age, of cake or other 

 suitable concentrated food is none too much to give a bull in 

 addition to a fair allowance of roots and plenty of hay in the 

 late autumn, winter and early spring, and of cut grass or other 

 green food during the remainder of the year. 



Regularity in feeding is most important. The times when 

 a bull is to be fed should be fixed by the owner and strictly 

 adhered to. 



Before feeding an animal it is important to remove any 

 food Which may remain from the previous meal, and, as far 

 as possible, an animal should not be given more at one meal 

 than he is able to " clean up." The bull should always have 

 free access to clean, fresh water. Where this is not possible 

 he should be offered water twice daity. 



