SCHOOL CLUBS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20060, 5 October 1939, Page 15

SCHOOL CLUBS

PREPARING THE CALF READY FOR PARADE FEEDING AND HANDLING By “Totara” The time for the judging of calves is rapidly approaching, and calf club members should bear in mind that much preparation has to be given the calves before the annual parades. Keep your calf in a clean grassy paddock, as it will begin to cat a little grass when a few weeks old. The paddock must be clean and not one in which pigs run. Diseases begin by putting the calf in a dirty paddock or in a yard that is too small for the calf to get exercise. Some shady trees where the calf can shelter from' the wind, rain, and hot sun are a big help. If you have none try and build a manuka shelter shed where your calf can go at night or in cold, wet weather. A cover will help your calf a lot during cold, wet weather. To make a cover, split a clean manure bag down one side and across the bottom. Place, a buckle or strap at one end to hold the cover across the chest, and use a strap of soft rope at the other end to hold the cover, half way down, under the tail. If the cover is turned over after a week or so, both sides will receive a covering of grease from the call’s body and so become waterproof. Always take off the cover on a warm day

Remember that a clean paddock is most necessary. If you have a shelter or shed, make sure the bedding (hay etc.) is clean and dry. Change it sometimes. Always use a clean bucket when feeding your calf. After use rinse the bucket with cold water, then scald it with boiling water and hang the bucket up to dry. One of the commonest troubles with young calves is scours, or diarrhoea, which is often caused by over-feeding or using dirty buckets.' When this trouble starts, give your calf 3 or 4 tablespoons of castor oil, and let the calf miss the next meal. Next day give the calf a little milk and limewater, and change the paddock or shed. As the calf gets belter, increase the amount of milk until it is back to the usual amount. (Limewater is very good for scours. Grooming and Leading Get hold of a brush and groom your calf often. This will keep it clean and give it a glossy coat. It will also make your calf quieter. You should first make a headstall for your calf from soft leather or flax. There is a good pattern in the calf booklet sent to your school last year. From a lead, either plait a flax rope or get a piece of light rope or strap. Do not use anything too heavy or too long. Teach your calf to lead when it is young, and lead it around 2 or 3 times every week. Lots of good calves are spoilt on calf club day because they don’t lead well, so remember this important job. Watch these points.—l. Pick out a heifer calf from a good calf; 2. Feed it regularly, and remember the feeding instructions; 3. Cleanliness, warmth and shelter are very important; 4. Be kind to your calf, and lead it regularly.