THE YOUNG HEIFER.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2014, 23 March 1914, Page 8

THE YOUNG HEIFER.

THE MAKING OF A DAIRY COW. li is lield by some that if a heifer is to grow into a good dairy cow she must bo kept in a somewhat poor condition, but this idea can easily be carried too far. She should not bo kept fat, of course, but a good thriving condition throughout the growing period is more likely to produce a sizeable, healthy animal than ono .which has been'kept short of food. The best ago for serving is about 21 months old, so that the first calves aro dropped at 2\ years. This age may vary slightly, as large, strong heifers may be served a little earlier, and more time given to the backward ones. In-calf heifers should never bo turned in a field with other unknown animals, nor should colts be allowed to run with them, for fear of abortion. During the first gestation period thofood should be nutritious and bulky, to produce plenty of barrel. Good hay, with- a few roots and a pound or two of linseed cake or oats aro good, and sho should bo brought into fairly good condition previous to calving. It does not matter much whether the heifer is allowed to calve .indoors or in the field, but oho or the other must bo definitely decided on ten days or so before the event. It is very foolish to bring in a haifer a day previous to calving, if sho is usod to running out. When'in the field a licifer may bo left for about twelve hours aftJer calving, and then brought in to be milked. This must be done with patience, and tho young animal should never bo frighten-' ed in any way. A bucket of warm' water or thin oatmeal gruel is good after calving. Tho feeding for tho first few days should bo light, to prevent milk' fever and give the animal a chance to regain its normal health and digestive powers. Bran, linseed cake, and'oats make good concentrated feeding for the first week or two, with some roots and hay. Full ration may bo gradually given, and this should be fairly liberal during tho first milking period, as a certain amount of growth is going on, in addition to the usual work of tho body and consequent drain on tho food supply. Caro to induce a heifer to keep up its milk yield for a long period is advisable, and allowing her to milk for five or six months before serving, and 6o getting a, long milking period, is good'practice. ' She may bo dried off about sis weeks beforo tho nest calving time; at any rate, the' dry period ought not to be shorter than six weeks., otherwise the milk yield is liablo to suffer during the next period.