Taking Care of: Cows, Calf, Heifer, Milch Animal, Pregnant Animal and Bull!
Caring for the Cow:
1. Usually a dairy cow will carry her calf a period of 282 days. However, they may range from 270-290 days after conception if accurate breeding records have been kept, which every farmer should do, the date can be calculated to within 1-10 days.
2. In handling advanced pregnant cows, care should be taken to prevent them from being injured by slipping on stable floors or by mounting cows. Separate the pregnant cows from rest and allow then to live in a little isolated way.
3. Symptoms that an animal is about to calve include swelling of the udder, swelling of the vulva and dropping away ligaments around the tall head. At this stage she should be housed in calving pen. The room should be clear, well ventilated, well bedded and finally, disinfected. Alternatively a small well grassed pasture free from trash or manure and close to the farmstead make a good calving place except during monsoon and cold month.
4. The majority of domesticated animals require little or no assistance in the actual act of parturition, provided they are in a reasonably healthy and vigorous state. At the first sign of calving, the front feet of the calf should appear first then the nose. Any abnormality in presentation requires immediate attention by a veterinarian. Remember that if the labour prolongs for more than 4 hours, abnormal presentation is probable, immediately provide veterinary aid.
5. Keep the cow warm to prevent her from chill and it is desirable to give her warm water.
6. After parturition the exterior of the genitalia the flanks and tail should be washed with warm clear water containing some crystals of potassium permanganate.
7. It is normal for the udder to become large and swollen just before calving. Controversy exists as to whether or not the udder should be milked out before calving. Special precautions should be exercised to see that old nails, loose glass pieces etc. do not cut and injure the swollen udder. Milk the cow partially to avoid milk fever after parturition.
8. The placenta will normally leave the cow within 2-4 h. If it is not expelled between 8-12 h, administer ergot mixture. Beyond 12 h, apply manual help by a veterinarian.
9. There are always dangers that high producing cows will develop milk fever and mastitis. The dairyman should remain alert for any symptoms of the disease to avoid milk fever. It is best not to draw all the milk from the udder for a day or two after calving.
10. Feed the cow at first only bran mash moistened with lukewarm water to provide laxative effect. Some green grass may also be given after 2 days a mixture of oats, bran and linseed mash can be used to replace the bran mash. If the cow is in good condition at the time of calving the amount of feed during these two days does not matter the amount of concentrates should then be gradually increased with the aim of reaching full dosages in two weeks.
Raising the Dairy Calf Discussed below:
1. Feeding and management of the calf before birth.
2. Care of the Calf after Birth:
After birth the care of the calf is necessary. Here, two think are essential. First is treatment of the calf and second is treatment of the navel cord.
3. Feeding Calves:
(i) Feeding coloustrus
(ii) Treatment of the calf to drink
(iii) Feeding whole milk
(iv) Feeding skim milk
(v) Feeding calf starters
(vi) Feeding grain mixture
(vii) Feeding silage
(viii) Providing minerals – Milk is the very good sources of calcium and phosphorus
(ix) Supplying the antibiotic
4. Housing the Calf:
The object of housing is to provide shelter to the calves against sun, rain and other inclemencies of weather.
5. Dehorning the Calf:
This is process by which the horns of an animal are removed after birth by treating the tender horn roots with a chemical, mechanical or electrical dehorner.
Merits of the Dehorning:
(i) Dehorned animal will need less space in the sheds.
(ii) Horned animals are a danger to the operator.
(iii) Dehorned animals can be handled more easily.
(iv) Cattle with horns inflict bruises on each other that may result in heavy economic losses.
Demerits:
(i) Animals with a nice horn have a style.
(ii) Animals with horn can defend themselves.
(iii) Some breeds have got an important identification marks for horn.
Methods of Dehorning:
(a) Chemical Method – The chemicals commonly used are caustic soda.
(b) Mechanical Method of Dehorning:
(i) Clippers and Saws – When older cattle are to be dehorned, especially designed clippers or saws are used.
(ii) Rubber Bands – Some farmers have reported successful dehorning of older cattle by using the rubber band method.
(c) Electrical Method – Electrical method of dehorning are seldom used in India. The rod is heated by electricity and has an automatic control that maintains temperature at about 1000°F-Applying the electric dehorner to the horn button for 10 seconds is sufficient to destroy the horn cells.
6. Marking the Calf
7. Removing extra teats
8. Castrating the Bull Calf:
Castrating is the unsexing of the male or female and consists in the removal of both testicles and ovaries respectively. Its objects are to prevent reproduction, to increase faster gains, to produce a more desirable type of meat.
There are three methods of castrating a bull calf, which are as follows:
(i) By making an operation in the scrotum where the vas deferens are disconnected from the scrotum. Thus the spermatozoa will not be able to flow out of the penis.
(ii) Castration with the help of a Burdizzo’s castrator. The method is also known as ‘bloodless castration’.
(iii) Recently a new method has been developed in western countries where they use a strong and tight rubber ring around the cord at the very early age of calf.
9. Preventing and controlling disease in calving.
Bad Habits of Cattle and Its Control:
Certain bad habits are prevalent among the cattle such as suckling another cow or herself kicking during milking, fence and rope breaking etc.
(i) Suckling:
Every dairyman has had experience with cows that such themselves or other cows, thus causing losses of milk, contamination of the udder and sometimes indigestion of the animal concerned. To prevent of this problem, the cow should be separated from the rest of the herd. A cradle or bull ring is put in the cow’s nose and then two or three other rings are attached to it.
(ii) Licking:
Some animals, specially calves gets into the habit of licking other calves during the milk feeding period. This ultimately leads to the indigestion of hair which get entangled with the curdled milk in the stomach and forms of hair balls. This is serious problem. One of the precautionary method is to rub a pinch of salt or mineral mixture, on the tongue of the calf after each feeding. Repetition of this system will enable the calf to forget this habit.
(iii) Kicking:
Many heifers or cows kick when they are milked. It may be mainly because of handling an unskilled milker. Before, applying any remedial measure, it will be wise to search for the reasons of such habit. It may be possible that the cow is suffering from some serious disease of udder or other the control of this problem, in the severe cases anti-Iinking chains can be used. A clamp fits over each hock and a chain fastens them together.
(iv) Fence Breaking:
Some animals have the habit of breaking their fence of the enclosure in which they are grazed on jumping over the fences. The habit is formed due to the feeling that on the other side of the fence the grasses are greener or plenty. There, is little that will stop a roguish cow except proper arrangements and good fences.
Care and Management of Calf:
We must give good feeding and management for the calves so that they can develop well and, useful for replacement stock. The feeding and care of the calf being before its birth. The dam should be dried 6-8 weeks before expected calving and should be fed well. Under fed animals will give weak and small calves.
Early Management of Calf:
Immediately after birth remove any mucous or phlegm from their nose and mouth.
Normally, the cow licks the calf immediately after the birth. This helps dry off the calf and helps in stimulating breathing and circulation. When the cows does not lick rub and dry the calf with a dry cloth or gunny bag. Provide artificial respiration by compression and relaxing the chest with hands.
Remove the wet bedding from the pen and keep the stall very clean and dry in condition. The weight of the calf should be recorded. Wash the cow’s udder and teat, preferably with chlorine solution and dry. Allow the calf to suckle the first milk of the mother i.e., colostrum.
Feeding of Calves:
Feed colostrum i.e., the first milk of the cow for the first 3 days. The colostrum is thick and viscous. It contains higher proportions of vitamin-A and proteins. The proteins are immunoglobulin which gives protection against many diseases. Colostrum contains anti trypsin which avoids digestion of immunoglobulin in the stomach and is absorbed as it is.
Whole milk should be given after 3 days it is better to teach to drink the milk from the pail or bucket. Feed twice a day which should be warmed to body temperature. For weak calves feed thrice a day. The limit of liquid milk feeding is 10 % of it’s body weight with a maximum of 5-6 per day and continue liquid milk feeding for 6-10 weeks. Over feeding causes ‘Calf Scours’.
The milk replaces can be given to replace whole milk. Give calf starter after one month of age. Provide good quality green fodder and hay from 4th month afterwards. Feeding of antibiotics to calves improves appetite, increases growth rate and prevents calf scours. Such antibiotics are Aureomycin, Terramycin, etc.
Care and Management of Heifer:
Better care and management of heifer will give high quality replacement stock to the dairy farm.
The following care and management practices are recommended for a heifer:
Feed the heifer sufficiently to produce normal growth. During the early stage relatively more protein than energy is needed. Most heifers grow well if excellent hay is given as much they can eat. The amount of growth depends upon the quality of forage fed.
The heifers should be provided with a dry shelter free from drafts. A loose housing system with a shelter open to one side is sufficient. The size rather than the age of a dairy heifer at breeding time is important. Breeding under sized animals is never profitable. They may be stunted or slow to reach maximum size.
Small heifers are more likely to have difficulty in calving. Though the heifer that is bred to calve at an older age yields higher milk yield in the first lactation, the total milk produced by such a cow will be less when compared to the heifers.
The heifer should be growing and in good flesh at calving time. This is necessary so that she can produce milk at the most profitable level. Place the heifer in a separate shed about 6-8 weeks before she is due to calve. Feed 2 – 3 kg of concentrate daily and all the forage she eats. Before calving let the heifer becomes accustomed to handling and to the procedures used in the milking herd. Always handle her gently and with kindness.
Maintenance of health among heifers is very important for proper growth. The health among the heifers is maintained by hygienic housing, water balanced feeding and taking necessary preventive steps against common diseases. Periodically, the heifers in the herd should be checked for their proper growth and other progress. Animals lagging behind below the required standards should be removed from the herd.
For the heifer whose calving is first time, may home difficulty in calving. So, take extra care during calving.
Care and Management of Milch Animal:
To get high milk during any lactation, the milch animal should be properly fed and necessary care and manage mental practices should be followed.
Provide green succulent forage together with leguminous hay or straw to the extent of animal can consume, so that all its maintenance requirements are met with through forage only. Extra concentrate at the rate of 1 kg for every 2 to 2.5 litres of milk should be provided. Salt and mineral supplements should be given to maintain the lactation.
Never frighten or excite the animals. Always treat them gently and with kindness.
With proper feeding and care, a cow will come to heat within 16 days of calving. Do not withhold service unnecessarily after the signs of heat are noticed in a cow. The shorter the interval between calving, the more efficient the animal is as a milk producer. By maintaining proper records of breeding and calving of the animals will ensure a study flow of milk throughout the year.
Individual attention to feed each animal according to its production is a must. For this purpose maintain individual production records. Keep up regularity of feeding. Concentrate mix is fed before or during milking, when as roughages after milking. This practice will avoid dust in the shed. Water should be provided to drink at will or at frequent intervals. It is more beneficial, if the animal is maintained on paddy straw as sole rough age.
Regularity in milking is essential. Increase of milk in the udder will reduce further secretion of milk. Milking thrice is better than twice since 10-15 % more milk can be produced. Rapid, continuous, dry hand milking should be practiced without undue jerking of teats. Milking should be done with whole hand, but not with thumb and index finger.
Cows should be trained to let down milk without calf suckling. This will held to wean the calves early. Loose housing with shelter during hot part of the day should be provided. The animals will get maximum exercise in loose housing system. Grooming of the cows and washing of the buffaloes before milking help in clean milk production. Daily brushing will remove loose hair and dirt from the coat. Grooming will also keep the animal hide pliable.
Wallowing of buffaloes or water spraying on their bodies will keep the buffaloes comfortable especially in summer. Common ailments should be properly detected and treated. Common vices should be properly detected and care should be taken, e.g., kicking, licking, suckling, etc.
Provide at least 60 – 90 days dry period between calving. If the dry period is not sufficient, the milk yield is subsequent lactation will be reduced. Vaccinate the cows against important diseases and also guard against insects and pests. Every animal should be numbered and particulars pertaining to milk, fat percentage, feed taken, breeding, drying and calving dates should be recorded.
Check for mastitis regularly.
Care and Management of Pregnant Animal:
The good care and managemental practices given to pregnant animal will give good calf and also high milk yield during the successive lactation. Extra concentrate mix of 1.25-1.75 kg should be provided for pregnant animal as pregnancy allowance. Feed good quality of leguminous fodder. The animal should not be not lean, not fat’ condition.
Provide clean drinking water and protection from thermal stress. Do not allow them to mix with other animals that have aborted or that are suffering from or carriers of diseases like brucellosis. Allow moderate exercise, which helps in calving normally. Do not tire them by making long distances especially on uneven surfaces.
Do not allow them to fight with other animals and take care that they are not chased by dogs and other animals. Avoid slippery conditions, which cause the animal to fall receiving fractures, dislocation, etc. If accurate breeding records are available, calculate the expected date of calving. Separate it one or two weeks before and shifted to individual parturition pens. These pens are thoroughly cleaned and fresh bedding may be provided.
Feed 1kg extra concentrates during last 8 weeks of gestation. Feed laxative about 3-5 days before and after calving (Wheat bran 3 kg + 0.5 gm of Groundnut cake + 100 gm of mineral mixture of salt). Symptoms of delivery may be observed i.e., swelling of external genetalia, swelling of udder; usually majority of animals will deliver without any help. If there is any difficulty, provide veterinary help.
After parturition external genital, flank should be cleaned and protect the animal from chill and give warm wafer. Placenta will normally leave the cow within 2 – 4 hours after calving. It do not take the help of a veterinarian.
Take care of the animal before calving from milk fever. Give calcium supplement. Sometimes, the udder will be swollen just before calving. Remove the milk partially. Take care, of the animal, if at all any abortion. Provide always free access to drinking water.
Care and Management of Bull:
The maintenance of breeding bulls in good condition and suitable for breeding is highly essential requirement for the success of breeding programme.
A rising condition is better for reproduction than a falling one. Fat males may produce semen of inferior quality or they may be slow or fail at service. Breeding bull should receive plenty of exercise; will usually produce large ejaculation containing more sperms of higher activity. He should be housed separately known as ‘Bull Shed’ with sufficient area of floor and proper covering. It is sound practice to provide cool conditions and adequate drinking water.
A balanced ration should be fed containing adequate energy, proteins, minerals and vitamins. Green fodder must be available both before and during breeding season.
Most of the bulls are ferocious and so control them properly using nose rings, etc. It is of great importance that males should be, fed regularly and not too much at one time and too little at another.
For bulls two mating a day has been found to be openings. Mode rate exercise should be provided to keep the breeding bull in active and non-fatty conditions. Regular grooming of the breeding bull be practiced. In buffalo bulls regular shaving may be practiced.