State Of Dairy Cattle Rajasthan Report

Author(s): Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations
Publisher: Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations

Page 52

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23. Immediately after birth, the cow should be able to lick her calf, and the calf needs to get colostrum within 6h. It is preferable for the calf to stay with its mother for at least three months, and better for six months. The weaning process should then be gradual.
24. Calves reared apart from the cow should be group housed with bedding, fed milk or milk-replacer (preferably from the mother or from artificial teats, which are better than bucket feeding) and provided with access to solid feed from the first week of life and sufficient iron in the diet to prevent anaemia. They should be weaned gradually off milk or milk-replacer at 6w or older when the rumen is sufficiently developed. Veal crates should not be used.
25. Genetically polled (hornless) animals should be used if possible. Disbudding Iremoval of horn buds) should be avoided if possible. If it is necessary it should be done early in life by a veterinary surgeon with a hot iron under anaesthesia and with pain control afterwards. Dehorning should not be practised.
26. Hot iron branding should not be used if possible and if practised should use pain relief. Most other methods of marking, including freeze branding, also cause pain and should use pain relief. If marking is necessary, the least invasive method possible should be used, such as an ear tag, or, even better, a collar.
27. If castration is necessary, pain relief should be applied.
28. Tail docking and nose ringing should not be used.
Bulls
29. If a bull is used for natural mating, the floor should not be slatted or slippery. The bull should be kept with other cattle or, if alone, in sight of other cattle and with sufficient space for resting and exercise. Appropriate facilities for restraint are needed.