A REMEDY FOR SELF-SUCKING COWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2251, 16 May 1881, Page 4

A REMEDY FOR SELF-SUCKING COWS.

[Sydney " Town and Country."] Some cows acquire the provoking habit of sucking their own udders dry. Some become such determined offenders, that it is almost impossible to cure them of the propensity. Many sohemes have been adopted with a view to break them of the vice. Bitter aloes and other nauseous substances have been employed smeared upon the teats. Leather head stalls having iron spikes, pointing outwards, fixed in tho nose-straps, and bags and cloths arranged so aa to cover the udders and prevent the animals from getting their teats into their mouths, are all plans that have been tried and found ineffectual. The nauseous stuff put on immediately after each milking would cause the sucking to be for a few trials, but before the next milking time, the animal's propensity generally overcomes the unpleasantness. Sometimes we have known the plan to succeed for a few days and then fail; the animal having found out that by submitting for a short time to the bad taste, she could indulge in her favorite tipple. The only result of the spikes on the nose was generally a lacerated udder and the milk abstracted. The best remedy that we have seen tried, except discharging tho cow from the dairy herd, often to be regretted, for the vice is usually found in animals that would otherwise ba valuable milkers, is that described by MrA. A.Dunnicliff.of Burrawong, and given below. But even thia we have known to fail ao far aa curing the cow of the habit ia concerned.

In our correspondence column last issue, "Subscriber (Orange)," asked—"l hare a cow that sucks her own milk; and have tried various remedies without avail. Will any reader (through the columns of your valuable journal), kindly give me some information on the subject: if it is possible to prevent it, and how ?" As the inquirer stated he had tried various remedies in vain, we deemed it best to withhold our experience, with a view of securing information from the experience of others, and thoroforo invited it. In onswer to the invitation, up to the time of writing, we have only received the information above referred to. The plan is as follows, and no doubt is wellknown to many of our country friends : "Make for the offending cow, a collar or necklace of strips of wood, eaoh strip about 2ft, long, and thread them on two cords, passed through holes bored near the ends, fastening each strip in its place with a knot. Let the holes be about sin. from each end, and the strips about 4in. apart. Thisis for a large oow, but of course could be adjusted for any size. It should prevent her getting her head round when lying down, and with me has cured several cows that suoked themselves. If she be very determined, just sharpen the points of the Bticks a little. The necklace must be in its place constantly until j the cow is dry or cured."