The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-03-08
T'1rhs Earh
How to Feed Young Calves.
nm the .40aerfean .Stork Journal.

breeders. The best general plan Is to
adhere as closely as possible to nature:
but as various modes of treatment have
been adopted, we will endcavo to bring
into one view the most useful facts con-
nected with this subject.
After the calf is produced the cow
almost uniformly shows an inclination
to cleanse it by diligently licking of the
Shiny matter adhcring to the young
animal: and this she should be allowed
TO do without the slightest hinderance.
1t is very bad practice to give Cruel
TO the calf soon after birth; the BEST
INGs. or first milk drawn from the COW
will be the best thing that can be admin
istered. 1t is seemingly provided by
nature as the first aliment of the newly
born animal; and is not onl y intended
for the purpose of carly inauguration,
but. by its mild aperient quality, it car
ries off the faces that had been accu-
mulating in the intensities of the f@tus
during the last months of pregnancy.
There are two modes OF feeding
calves one is, to permit them to run
about with the parent COW during the
first wear; the other is to wean them
when about fortnight old, and bring
them up by hand.
The former eXpedient eventually pro-
duces the best cattle, and is adopted in
those districts where fodder is abundant
and cheap.
Whether calves arc designed to be
raised for breeding, labor, or fattening,
care should be taken that they have a
sufficient supply of good food for, ifthe
supply of it is scanty at first the animal
will rarely, if ever attain considerable
growth. The best time for weaving
them is about that period of the year
when the grass acquires succulence
enough to entice the appetite, and to af-
ford complete nourishment without the
aid of the teat. Calves that are drop
ped in October or November will thrive
rapidly by the nourishing pastures into
which thev may be turned in the en-
suing spring, if they have been allowed
to suck and been properly sheltered
throughout the winter; but the milk is
often too scarce at that season to be
usually bestowed upon them; and
wINTER-wEARIED calves seldom arrive
at much perfection. Calves will do
better to be in the house, and cows
brought up twice or thrice day to
suckle them, as by this system great
er number of calves may be reared from
the same number of cows.
Various plans have been suggested
and tried with considerable success,
for rearing calves without any or at
least with small quantity of milk. The
time of weaving them varies, from a
fortnight until they are several weeks
old; but the latter period is preferable,
on account of the weak and tender state
of the calves, if separated from the dam
at an earlier age.
In several counties Of New York,
calves are left with the COW for about
ten days or fortnight, and, being taken
from her, are taught to drink,-of the
patience and attention requisite in teach
ing calves to drink, q very inadequate
idea only can be formed by those who
have never witnessed this tedious pro-
cess. When the animal has tasted two or
three hours, the first and second finger
of the right hand, being previously well
cleaned, are presented to the mouth.
1t readily takes hold of them, and sucks
eagerly In the meantime, vessel of
lukewarm milk is placed, and supported
by the left hand under the calf's mouth !;
and while the young one is sucking the
right hand is gradually sunk a little
way into the milk, so that it may lap a
sufficient quantity without its nostrils
being stopped. If, either from accident
or from too sudden precipitation of the
hand into the milk, the calf should let
go it's hold, the attempt must be repeat
edly renewed until it is crowned with
success.-First new milk for week or
two. then new and skinned milk mix
ed, and, if after a month or so the calf
seems thriving, skinned milk only is
given, with oat or barley-meal, or crush
ed linseed, at first in small quantities,
and gradually increased in proportion
to his age and growth.
Small wisps of hay arc then placed
within their reach, which they begin
by sucking, and gradually become in
duced to eat turnips chopped small, or
carrots, and good sweet hay, may then
be given them, and, when they eat we'll
linseed-cake and oat-cake may be added
They should be literally kept for the
first six or eight months. and well
housed. and kept warm and clean.
In the county of Suffolk calves are
usually weaned soon after they are
horn, when they are fed with lukewarm
skinned milk and water, having scald-
ed bran or oatmeal in it, and some
very sweet hay until the grass is ready
Ii the farmer has any carrots, they
form an excellent article of food.
About three quarts of new milk daily
are sufficient for the support of a calf
1t should be given regularly at stated
hours, and they should be Kept as quiet
as possible, for rest will be found ma
teriallv to promote their growth. An
infusion of hay, called hay-tea or hay
water has also been applied for the
purpose of rearing calves with small
quantity of milk .B