I might finally be getting a milk cow!!!!

[Goatgirl47]

When my Nubian bottle doeling needed two quarts of milk each day, I used to go out to my tamest cow (Violet) and milk her out in the pasture without any feed or anything to restrain her with. She did pretty well, considering those were some of the first times I had ever done it!

 

[WindyIndy]

Great, thanks! I don't plan on feeding any grain. I don't feed any to my animals, except a little corn when I want to worm the sheep. Just to help call them up. They seem to like bread and carrots now though so I can use less corn (yay!).

I'm trying to figure out how I can cheaply make something. I suppose I should have something elevated since she's shorter?

For our first beef we had a Hereford, then Holsteins, then an Angus Holstein cross. I'm going to raise my girl's bulls to butcher and then sell her heifers (I may decide to keep one, but I'm not sure. I'm going to see how one goes first).

 

[WindyIndy]

When my Nubian bottle doeling needed two quarts of milk each day, I used to go out to my tamest cow (Violet) and milk her out in the pasture without any feed or anything to restrain her with. She did pretty well, considering that was one of the first times I had ever done it!

That's so cool! I would really like to milk her with min restraints or non at all, just wasn't sure if that was smart or not

 

[farmerjan]

I have a little different take on the milking. Understand first, that I have had cows that I could milk out in the field with no problem. I prefer that the animal has a regular and normal place to be milked. It is her spot and she is there for business. I also prefer some type of restraint, a neck chain or stanchion will keep her in place and tell her that she is there until YOU are done. When she is in a bad mood, comes in heat, or whatever, you will have a place to keep her safely, and if she should get an injury, or mastitis or you want to graft a calf on her for any reason, she will be familiar with a routine. I do feed some grain in the milking spot/stall. Alfalfa pellets, beet pulp or anything is fine. That's a personal preference. It is also relaxing for the cow to be munching...I feed a certain amount of grain, and she has alfalfa hay to eat when she eats what grain she gets. I wouldn't try to get something elevated for her, as a young first calf heifer, her udder will be higher up than an older cow so you should be able to milk her fairly comfortably. If you use a small bucket to milk into, you might be able to sit it on an upside down 5 gal bucket to get it up higher to the udder, but that's not that big of a deal. Get a block of wood from a sawmill or cut off lengths of say 2x12's that you can stack a couple on top of each other under her to elevate the bucket. Try to find a 3 gal bucket that you can sit on and still reach under her, or an old fashioned milking stool that is in the neighborhood of 18 inches high or so.
The thing is, teaching her to milk for the first time, if she kicks and is not restrained, she will learn alot of bad habits about not HAVING to do it if she doesn't want to. She will be swollen and tight when first fresh, and sore, and she will be uncomfortable with the whole process. If she learns that she can get away from you, that she can kick and move off, that you are not in control, then you are on your way to a spoiled cow that will not be worth anything to anyone. I AM NOT SAYING TRUSS HER UP SO SHE CAN'T MOVE. Just establish certain procedures, boundaries, acceptable behavior so that milking is a good experience for both of you. Once she gets in the routine, not tying her, milking in the field or anywhere it suits are options... but she needs to learn what is expected. And if a cow gets in a routine like that, she will be more likely to let her milk down more easily and quickly for you to get her milked. I have several that do not get tied and just stand there at the manger but there are a couple that get their neckchain attached and they are fine. Since you are only dealing with one it won't be a problem of one trying to steal someone else's feed/hay...I have 2 that are pigs and will gobble theirs and go to the next one and shove them out of their spot. Tying works wonders to keep peace.

 

[WindyIndy]

That is great advice, thank you! I definitely want to start her out right and teach her kicking is a big NO. What would be the best way to correct her when she does? I'm used to training horses, not cows Is it a good idea to start tying her up or put her in a stanchion right away and play with her udder, or what until she has milk? Also, does anyone here do the once a day milking? I was reading about that, and then leaving the calf on for the other "milking".

 

[Bossroo]

Congrats! I hope all works out for you As a young Dexter, you should be able to just put it in the back seat of your car to take it home with you Hope you'll share more stories/pictures when you get her. She's a beauty!

Don't forget to put a CORK into the rear end of the calf or carry a shovel , deoderant and a bucket.

 

[WindyIndy]

If only you could! I think I'll use the trailer, hoping the lady can just follow me home the same day, I want her home asap!

 

[farmerjan]

Have done alot of once a day milking. I milk the cow, then turn them in with her after I am done. NO do not leave any milk in the udder for the calf as the cow will learn to not let it down for you. They, it, will get plenty to drink over the course of the day even if they act like they are starving when you first put them in there after milking. So figure when you will have more time to milk; lock the calves away from the cow say in the evening, milk in the morning and turn the calves back in with the cow when you are done. Then separate again at night and milk again next morning...or vice versa...You will find that the calves get really smart real quick and won't want to come in so they aren't separated from mom; my advice is to put her in a separate field for the "non-calf" time and then turn her into the calf field the other half of the day if you have trouble getting jr. away from her. I think you are also on the other thread about asking for advice for milk equipment etc and I also adressed the touching and getting the animal used to being handled. Just remember, since you have worked with horses, any "spoiling" of the animal will make it a brat, and often show cattle that are handled alot are some of the worst actors in the barn when they come fresh. Another reason to have a specific place where they understand they are there for a reason.

Don't forget to put a CORK into the rear end of the calf or carry a shovel , deoderant and a bucket.

 

[farmerjan]

Don't forget to put a CORK into the rear end of the calf or carry a shovel , deoderant and a bucket.

Use a 50 lb. feed bag, tie the calf's legs together and slide the calf in it backend first so that any pooping will stay in the bag. Done it many times in the cold weather to bring home new calves from a farm, in the truck...

 

[greybeard]