In European countries there are special courses that teach how to herd cows. In Russia, due to the reduction in the number of cattle on private farmsteads, the work of a shepherd has lost its former relevance. But the need for grazing remains. And electronic shepherds or GPS devices cannot always replace a living person. This article will talk about what skills a shepherd should have, how to prepare animals for the transition from confinement to feeding on a pasture, and methods of grazing.
Requirements for a shepherd
It would seem that it could be easier than herding cows. You lie in the shade and move a blade of grass in your mouth. And the cows in the meadow at this time are peacefully nibbling the grass. But not everything is as simple as we would like.
It was not for nothing that the work of a shepherd was held in high esteem in the old days. He did not just accompany the herd to the grazing place and back. This person should have known the herbs that could be eaten by animals and which were contraindicated. He had the veterinary skills to help livestock in the field when needed.
Among other things, the shepherd had to be able to ride a horse. Now these requirements remain relevant.
While the cows are grazing in the meadow, the shepherd must supervise their feeding. We must ensure that they have something to drink and eliminate the possibility of poisoning from pesticides that are used on plants. It is also necessary to monitor the health status of animals and quickly respond to its changes.
Shepherds - old Greenpeace, as well as strict rules in dress and behavior
It is clear that the shepherds had a great responsibility, because they were given one of the main values for preservation. To prevent any troubles from happening to the herd, the shepherds used the experience of previous generations in their work and adhered to strict rules, which, according to ancient beliefs, were supposed to protect the trusted animals. These rules can be divided into behavioral ones and those related to appearance.
The shepherd did not have to love nature, but he had to treat it very carefully. The prohibitions were very strict and reached the point of absurdity. For example, annoying insects could not only be swatted, they could not even be waved away. Being in the forest, the shepherd could not pick berries and mushrooms or fish. A broken branch was equated with harming the forest and disrespecting the forces of nature. There were also reasonable restrictions - not to destroy anthills and bird nests, not to kill animals.
As for appearance, everything was quite strict here too. The shepherd was not allowed to change the length of his hair and beard. If you come to work with a long beard, please continue to grow it. The first time he appeared with his hair cut short, he would have to constantly shorten his hair.
It was always necessary to herd animals in the same clothes, the ones in which the first day of work was spent. This was explained by the fact that the animals got used to the sight and smell of their owner, and in a different guise they might not recognize him, and even run away.
The shepherds had to behave modestly. It was forbidden to climb over fences, swear, get into fights, or drink alcoholic beverages. They were also not allowed to shake hands or have intimate relationships. Some bans today are puzzling, for example, the ban on attending funerals. By the way, if someone died in the village, the shepherd did not have the right to lead the flock along the street.
Transfer of cows to pastures
Cows are brought out to pasture in the spring, when the first grass appears. Animals are transferred back to the stall for the cold from mid-autumn. The time frame for the start and end of cattle grazing may vary depending on the region of the country.
All owners of cows look forward to summer maintenance. After all, putting cows out to pasture means reducing the cost of milk by a third. But at the same time, the risks associated with livestock diseases also increase significantly. So, in addition to poisoning, there is a possibility of developing tympany (rumen swelling).
The behavior of a cow on pasture requires constant monitoring.
This is a dangerous disease that develops rapidly and in the most severe cases is fatal. The most common causes of bloat are that cows in the field eat grass during or after rain, or simply overeat.
That is why the behavior of cows on pasture requires constant monitoring. In order to prevent diseases and prepare animals for summer grazing, their transfer from the stall should be carried out gradually.
On the first day, it is recommended to take the cow out to pasture for 1-2 hours; in subsequent days, increase this time, bringing it up to 10-12 hours in one or two weeks.
It is advisable for the cow to graze in the morning and afternoon. At noon, when the sun is most active, animals should be either in the stable or outdoors, but in the shade.
The water supply must be protected from frost
A big difficulty during frosts is a guaranteed water supply. But here, in most cases, a good solution is to insulate the drinking system or heated drinking bowl. Another option is a constantly working well. For ball drinkers, there is a great danger that the ball on the rim of the drinker may freeze. The water inside will not freeze. In such cases, as a rule, it is enough to knock on the ball.
The pipeline itself poses more difficulties than the desoldering system. But if it is insulated, heated, or constant water circulation is maintained in it, there will be no problems with freezing. The water supply should, if possible, be laid at a depth where the soil does not freeze.
Features of feeding in summer
The appearance of seedlings in the fields does not mean that feeding cows in the summer can be left to chance; this process has its own characteristics.
When a cow is grazing on good pasture, she can eat more than 50 kg of grass. Despite this, animals first need feeding, since young grass does not contain a sufficient amount of useful substances and microelements. Complementary foods should consist of:
- fiber-rich hay;
- ground cereal grains containing minerals;
- table salt (a source of sodium and chlorine);
- phosphorus-calcium fertilizing.
Nuances to consider with any grazing method
It should be remembered that very tall plants are difficult for animals to eat. The cow most readily grazes grass about 15 cm high.
Some farms prefer to keep cows on pasture around the clock, the features of which can be found in the article: “On pasture keeping of cattle.”
The shepherd must always remember that cows often wander off in the field, so he must ensure that the animals do not stray from the herd or end up in a ravine or in fields with agricultural crops.
In addition, the shepherd has to take into account how the cow behaves and what its character is. Some individuals are distinguished by their calm and peaceful disposition, while some, on the contrary, are very obstinate and can kick and butt. Such people are either tied up or their legs are tied with rope.
There are certain nuances regarding how to properly herd a cow and its offspring. The calf should be grazed next to its mother. Do not allow other animals to approach them. And the shepherd himself should stay away from them.
These demands are caused by the aggressive behavior of the cow, protecting and preserving her calf.
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Various cow grazing options
If you own one or two cows, then you are able to organize their grazing yourself. This is permissible if there is a suitable field with pasture, and to prevent the cattle from scattering, you can use a leash. In this case, it must be taken into account that grazing animals must be periodically moved across the meadow, then there will be no excessive contamination of the area with their excrement. In addition, a tethered cow must have access to water.
If there is a need to graze an entire herd, and suitable pastures are located 2-3 km from the farm, then it is advisable to organize a summer camp. It allows animals not to waste energy on long journeys, which negatively affect milk production.
The camp should be located in the center of the pasture where the herd is grazing. It is necessary to have a reservoir, preferably with running water. If it is not there, then in the camp for cattle it is necessary to organize containers with water so that the animals can freely come up and drink.
There is a corral method of grazing cows. Grasses are sown on large areas of land, then several paddocks are separated. When the time comes for grazing, the animals are directed by the shepherd to one pen. After they eat the grass on it, the cows move to the next paddock.
The territory of the first is cleared of pollution, and fresh grass grows on it.
How the goblin helped the shepherds, and what they gave him for it
Previously, it was believed that shepherds could enter into an agreement with the goblin. To please him, they could promise never to pick wild berries and never shake hands with anyone. The goblin, in turn, climbed onto the shepherd's staff or whip, and stayed there the entire time the shepherd worked, helping in every possible way.
The agreement with the forest spirit should have been concluded during the period of Yegoryev Day - Intercession. Here things could not be done without annual gifts - the shepherd gave the goblin four chicken eggs, always from a black hen, in the second year - footcloths made of cloth, and in the third - the fattest cow. The poor animal was given over to be torn to pieces by wolves and bears. And if the cow disappeared, there is an excuse: the shepherd gave it to the goblin so that he would protect the herd from wild animals.
During the year, the goblin had to be presented with small gifts in order to gain his favor, for example, bread and butter. When getting ready for work, the shepherd took with him special items - a piece of birch bark, a ball of wax or flour with a scrap of cow hair. Some shepherds trusted the goblin so much that they simply drove the cows to pasture and then calmly went home.
Choosing the right diet
From April to the end of November, cows and bulls feed themselves on pastures, where they also receive a sufficient amount of water.
As complementary food to improve productivity, you can introduce seasonal vegetables and potato peelings, melons, as well as two hundred grams of cattle feed per head into the daily diet. For the winter, livestock need to prepare hay and silage.
A large animal eats up to twenty kilograms per day, a medium-sized animal eats up to fifteen. It is also recommended to enrich the diet with root vegetables, cutting them into small pieces, pumpkin, and combined feeds.
It is also possible to introduce steamed porridge into the menu. Plenty of water must be given. It is advisable that she always be in drinking bowls.
Table salt in briquettes should be a mandatory food additive.
It will need to be purchased at a specialized store and installed directly in the barn for free access.
Specifics of building a farm for profit
Raising cows on farms can be considered a fairly profitable business if you follow basic farming standards.
The breeder must understand the following issues: types of livestock for producing dairy and meat products, what are their differences and advantages; features of raising livestock of the selected breed; nuances of content in different seasons and seasons; opportunities for marketing and selling dairy and meat products.
The farmer will need to draw up a business plan, which will include: initial costs, starting capital; fixed and variable costs; possible profit from sales. Based on calculations, it is possible to assess the real possibilities of running a farm.
Inventory
After completing the construction of the barn, it is necessary to take care of the feed room. They cannot be stored in the barn itself, as they will become saturated with manure and begin to quickly deteriorate.
In addition, you should take care of the necessary equipment that the owner will work with:
- scales;
- buckets;
- shovel (scraper and shovel);
- pitchfork;
- rake;
- feeders;
- drinking bowls;
- containers for storing feed;
- brushes for cleaning cows;
- clothing and footwear specifically designated for the barn.
How are calves kept?
The first days after birth are very important; during this period the calf is exposed to bad environmental influences. The room in which the calf will be located must be warm and draft free. 2 hours after birth, the baby should drink a portion of colostrum, which is necessary for the proper development and growth of the calf. On the second day, he can already be given breast milk. Read more about feeding calves from birth here.
During the first month, the calf will drink milk and additionally receive succulent concentrated feed. Then, over the course of a month, the amount of milk is reduced, and the amount of solid food, on the contrary, is increased.
Calves are kept separately from their mothers in a special walking area, where hay, succulent feed and always water are always available. If there are several babies, then from the age of 8 months they are divided by gender. Already at the age of one and a half years, the heifer is ready for pregnancy, but provided that her weight is 70% of an adult.
