KINDNESS TOWARDS MILCH COWS.

Southland Times, Issue 1659, 8 November 1872, Page 1 (Supplement)

KINDNESS TOWARDS MILCH COWS.

One of the greatest errors in overcoming cows, that are unquiet while being milked, is to whip, beat, kick, and bawl at them. This is generally done, and the cow becomes afraid or angry, and instead of becoming; better, grows worse. Milch cows cannot be whipped or terrified into standing quietly, gently, and patiently during milking-. They dislike to be milke^t, for they know that loud words ? and, hard blows always attend the operation.} They dread to see the milker as the (little urchin dreads tp see the birchen rod in the bands of the angry pedagogue wberL-he expects to have it applied to his back.-; i A cow kindly and properly treated is pleased to see the milker, gladly awaits his or her approach, and submits with pleasure to the operation of beins: milked. Every one having experience with cows knows this to be true. But the cow is opposed to a change of milkers ; she soon becomes attached to one person who performs the operation, and does not willingly and freely give down her milk to another person ; therefore, have one -regular milker to certain cows, and bear in mind, if you change milkers, it is at the expense of a loss of milk and of injury to the cow. All animals appreciate kind treatment, ■and resent abusive treatment. It is their nature or instinct to do this Therefore, if you would have them gentle and quiet, treat them gently and kindly. See that those who milk can control themselves, govern their passions, speak low and kindly under almost any provocation, and soon the cows will learn that they are not going to be abused, and will submit to the operation. Milking should be performed at regular hours, not varying fifteen minute 3 one day from the other. No talking or laughing should be permitted at tbe time, and it should be done as speedily aa possible. — Colman's B-ural World.

TjR^ATSfENT OP GROWING CHI C KENS. As. the chickens grow up, they will probably,, have to be moved away from their first .dprajcile in order to make room for others fresh hatched. However this may be, at tea to twelve weeks old the cockerels must be separated from the pullets, and only chickens of about the same age be placed iv a run together, else the weaker will stand no chance. Without separating the sexes the birds will never grow so large, besides which it prevents trouble, as a number of cockerels may be kept by themselves in perfect peace till full-grown. The chief things to guard against, however, will be any oversight in cleanliness, and any neglect of older chickens, for the sake of the young ones. Many a inistuke is made here. The birds are growing fast now, and they must be fed liberally and well, or all the pains bestowed on them will be lost; whether their destination be the exhibition or the fattening pen, this remark equally applies. Their four good meals should bo regularly given— just enough to satisfy them and none left — mixed nice and dry, and thrown about the grass run, if that be at command, or put in clean vessels if not ; their water kept clean and frequently changed ; and some animal food occasionally given to all except pullets which ifc is not desired should lay early ; their sleeping places kept sweet, and dry, and sheltered. Chickens thus cared for will thrive and be a credit, whatever the purpose for which they are reared. Milk may be still mixed with their food and given to drink, even up to six months old, if the range is good ; but for birds in confinement, it should be discontinued after about three months, being in such circumstances too much for the more sluggish digestive organs. — From the Illuatrated Book of Poultry. ________ _____