Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1920-11-10
THE CARE OF THE HERD SIRE

| Increased appreciation on the part
of the dairyman of the value of the
well bred bull is resulting in the
keeping of such animals until their
daughters have had an opportunity
Ito demonstrate their ability. With
the retention of the sire beyond a
couple of years there comes an add
ed problem in this management, and
word concerning proper care, that
he may retain his usefulness over an
extended period of time may not be
amiss.
A bull, for breeding purposes,
should be in good condition, but not
fat. Too much flesh may result in
| lack of sureness, sluggishness, and
even impotency. When he is not be-
| ing used, good mixed hay is usually
sufficient, but during the period of
heavy service grain ought to be fed.
A good mixture is: Bran 100 pounds,
Oil Meal 100 pounds, Ground Oats
| 200 pounds, making feed that is
somewhat laxative and which carries
considerable protein. Other feeds
similar in character may be substi-
tuted. If the animal is poor in flesh
some of the fattening foods such as
barley, corn meal and hominy may
be added The amount fed will de-
bull. Roots are good and silage may
be fed sparingly.
Exercise plays IAN important part
both in keeping the bull in condition
and in keeping him from getting ug-
ly. To keep him in box stall.
where he has some freedom and to
let him run in the yard for a little
while each day is usually enough. A
tread power is sometimes recommend
ed and where there is an old one on
the place it may prove useful in the
case of the bull that is so sluggish
that he won't exercise unless he is
stout cask to roll around and play
with. Another good scheme is to
put UP a couple of posts with a piece
across on top and good heavy block
hanging from it so that it swings
about two feet from the ground.
A stanchion in the barn is no place
for bull. He should be kept in a
strong box stall where he can stir
around a bit The walls should not
be boarded up tight Sunlight is
healthful, and if the bull can see what
is going on,-be accustomed to the
sight of people and of the other cat
tle-he viii be less likely to turn
mean and hard to handle. If a bull
is inclined to be ugly or if he is hard
to catch, put a half inch iron rod or
cable overhead in his pen and
fasten him to it with a chain which
can slide along on the rod. This will
give him practically as free a range
of the pen, vet it viii make him
easier to handle.
The ring should be put in his nose
when he is about ten months old, and
he should be taught to allow himself
to be caught by it, and to lead.
Until he Is couple of years old ne
should be used but lightly, on not
over couple of cows a week. No
bull should be allowed to serve a cow
more than once as repeated service
does not increase the likelihood of con-
ceptiOn and is but an added strain
on the animals vitality. For the
same reason, and because such prac-
tice makes accurate breeding records
impossible, the bull should not be al
lowed TO run at pasture with the herd.
III more than one COW is to be served
In day it is best to allow several
hours to elapse between the services
The bull, since he is kept in the
barn so much of the time, is especial
ly liable to trouble from over grown
hOofs and his feet should be looked
at OCCASIONALLY and trimmed down
Wnen necessary. During the opera
ton he may be put in stocks, or
thrown with rope. The latter is a
simple matter The animal is tied
by the head and one end of the
throwing rope fastened arou6d his
neck, the knot at the top. 1t is then
carried back along his back, loop
taken just behind the fore legs and
another just in front of the hind ones
and the whole drawn tight. By pull
ing on the end that is carried out
over the rump the bull will be thrown
! and can be held by tying the rope so
that it will be held tight.
Finally, bull should always be
treated with respect. no matter how
gentle he may be believed to be. He
should always be led with a staff and
never be given a chance to get the
upper hand. 1t is a fact that acct
| dents rarely happen with the bull
that is known to be ugly. 1t is the
"gentle" bull carelessly handled that
! is dangerous.