Date Posted: 10/18/2011 12:40:16 AM
Posted By: Raychelle Membership Level: Silver Total Points: 184
Cows have been with us since time immemorial.The pastoralists live through them.Farmers use them for milk and meat as well as cow dung which can produce fuel or be used to "plaster" huts in rural Kenya. I do not know whether their horns and hide are still useful in modern Kenya as they were back in the day when our forefathers lived. Their hooves can be used for ornamentation just like their tails can make fly-whisks.Looking at the above uses the cow is truly a body of benefits.Despite being of tremendous benefit to farmers and pastoralists,many people as i have observed do little to maintain these animals' health status. Having no experience in pastoralism, i will focus on zero grazing.Once you decide on zero grazing,you take away a cow's ability to search for food on its own.You have decided to feed it, provide it with water and cure it from disease.Zero grazing does not necessarily require much land,but if you have large tracts of land the better for you.You can divide them into two and have the cows graze alternatively.If you can only afford an enclosure,make sure you have a constant supply of nappier grass.There is salt that cows lick to make them drink more water and enhance their nutrition,make sure you provide them with it. Also buy cow feed more especially for cows that produce milk. It boosts their milk production.Have a veterinary officer inspect your cows at least twice a month to be sure of their health and avoid expensive surprises now that cows cannot talk.Ask the officer if he could give your cow some vitamin supplements to make it more immune to ailments.Twice a month is a good pattern to follow when cleaning your cow.Buy a pump to make the exercise easier.This kills pests that live in the cow's skin.Buy high quality pesticide;cheap is expensive in this regard.Also clean the cowshed daily for the aesthetic and physical wellness of the cow.Above all,bond with your animals,communicate.For starters, give them names.They soon enough learn to respond to specific sounds.Caress them when they are lying down,cows love it.Always wash the cow''s tits with warm water before milking then massage them lightly.
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