Management of animals

Care at different stages

Calves:

• Clean the mucus from the nose and mouth just after birth; cut the navel cord and apply tincture of iodine to prevent navel infection.
• Feed colostrum (first milk) within the first hour or so after birth. It is rich in antibodies (immunoglobulins), protein and vitamin A and acts as a laxative. Feed milk at about one-tenth of body weight per day; e.g. a 30 kg calf gets about 3 kg.
• Deworm regularly, give calf starter and good hay, vaccinate on schedule, identify by ear tag, dehorn when young.

Pregnant animals: gestation is about 280–285 days in cows and about 310 days in buffaloes. Give extra concentrate in the last two to three months, separate shelter near calving, avoid rough handling and long walks. Dry off a milking animal about two months before calving so the udder rests and the foetus grows.

Milch animals: milk at regular times, usually twice a day; clean the udder and the milker's hands; use the full-hand method (better than knuckling or stripping); complete milking quickly (within about 7 minutes) because the milk let-down hormone oxytocin acts only for a short time. Give balanced feed and plenty of water.

Bullocks: males not used for breeding are castrated to make them docile; give regular work, rest during hot hours, good feed and hoof care.

Poultry:

• Chicks: need brooding (artificial heat). Start at about 35 °C in the first week and reduce by about 3 °C each week. If chicks crowd under the heater, it is too cold; if they move away and pant, it is too hot.
• Chicken eggs hatch in 21 days.
• Cockerels (young males) are raised for meat or kept for breeding.
• Layers: begin laying at about 18–20 weeks; need about 16 hours of light per day, calcium (shell grit) for strong shells; poor layers are culled. Debeaking reduces pecking and cannibalism.

Key points

• Colostrum: antibodies; feed within first hour.
• Milk for calf ≈ 1/10 body weight.
• Gestation: cow ≈ 280–285 days; buffalo ≈ 310 days.
• Dry period ≈ 2 months; oxytocin → milk let-down.
• Chicken incubation: 21 days; brooding starts ≈ 35 °C.

Exam tips

Numbers (gestation, incubation, brooding temperature) and reasons (why colostrum, why dry off) are frequent.

Common mistakes

• Saying colostrum should be delayed; it should be given as early as possible.
• Using the knuckling method; full-hand milking is recommended.