Care of newborn
Right after birth
Allow the mother to lick the newborn and clean it completely.
This also helps to induce milk flow in the mother.
Right after birth
If the mother does not lick the newborn thoroughly or is too
weak to lick, help clean the newborn. Dry it with a clean, rough cloth and
remove any mucus from its nostrils. Rub this cloth on the hooves to remove their
plastic-like coating.
If the newborn is not breathing properly, insert a clean finger
into the mouth to remove all mucus. Use a rice straw to tickle the nostril to
make the newborn sneeze. This expels the mucus blocking the breathing passage.
Expelling the mucus blocking the
breathing passage
Navel cord
You can choose any of the following practices to dry the navel
cord. These practices also prevent bacterial infection and infestation by
maggots.
· Apply a spoonful
of turmeric powder to the navel. Apply urine from the mother animal onto the
navel.
· Pound 1 medium-sized bulb of
garlic and apply it to the navel.
· Cover the navel with fresh,
cooled kitchen ash.
· Apply vegetable oil to the
navel and then cover it with wood ash.
Do not pull or irritate the navel cord unnecessarily. This could
lead to hernia, a swelling in the navel region.
The mother's first milk
Within 2-4 hours, the newborn ruminant should suck the
colostrum. This is the first milk from the mother. The colostrum contains
antibodies that will provide resistance to diseases in the newborn's life.
The mother's first milk
Reintroducing the newborn to its mother
Sometimes the mother refuses to accept her calf, kid or lamb.
This usually happens when it is her first-born. In this case, you may try one of
the following:
· Sprinkle milk on
the nose of the mother and her newborn. Then, allow the mother to smell the
newborn.
· Rub the rear end of the
newborn on its mother's nose.
· Rub the newborn with vinegar
or with the mother's urine.
· For cattle and buffaloes, tie
the hind legs and horns of the mother to prevent her from kicking or hitting the
newborn. Allow the newborn to suckle for 15 minutes and then free the mother.
You may need to do this for three succesive feedings, after which she usually
will accept the newborn
Reintroducing the newborn to its
mother
Fostering
If the mother has died, try to introduce the newborn to another
female which has recently given birth. If she refuses to foster the newborn, try
any of the practices suggested for reintroducing the newborn to its mother. If
this does not work, milk the lactating animal and feed the newborn, using a
small cup. Or you can dip some cotton in some milk and allow the newborn to suck
on it.
Housing
Keep the mother and its offspring separated from the rest of the
herd to prevent other animals from hurting the newborn. Provide clean, dry
bedding for the newborn. If the barn has a slatted floor, cover it with grass or
other materials. Otherwise, the newborn may get its legs caught between the
slats.
Feeding To stimulate the appetite of the newborn, place one of
these mixtures on its tongue:
· A pinch of salt
and ½ teaspoon of brown sugar. (India. 1, 2)
· Half a teaspoon of brown sugar
and ½ teaspoon of sweet soy sauce. (Indonesia. 1, 2) Some farmers do this
for several days.
# Reminder
Do not intervene with the natural process of giving birth and
early care by the mother unless absolutely
necessary.
