From what I've read, I want a heifer so that she can learn how to be milked without me stressing out an experienced mama who will be more worried about her calf's reaction than learning how to be milked. But I was wondering if it would be alright to get a younger experienced mama who has just weaned her baby?
My next question is about milking during pregnancy. Can/Should this be done? In other words, is there a point when I should stop milking to let her gain weight for the calf?
Also, would it be a bad idea to train a bred heifer? I'm guessing it would depend on how gentle she is but I wouldn't want to risk a miscarriage.
About how long would it take for a cow/heifer to be trained to milk? I know that handling must be done on a daily basis but would the actual milking have to? In other words if I don't need milk on a particular day would it be okay to simply go through the motions of milking without actually doing it? I would imagine this would be easier if she were nursing because the calf will drink up but I'm thinking aboiut between weaning and giving birth to next calf?
My next question is about milking during pregnancy. Can/Should this be done? In other words, is there a point when I should stop milking to let her gain weight for the calf?
Also, would it be a bad idea to train a bred heifer? I'm guessing it would depend on how gentle she is but I wouldn't want to risk a miscarriage.
About how long would it take for a cow/heifer to be trained to milk? I know that handling must be done on a daily basis but would the actual milking have to? In other words if I don't need milk on a particular day would it be okay to simply go through the motions of milking without actually doing it? I would imagine this would be easier if she were nursing because the calf will drink up but I'm thinking aboiut between weaning and giving birth to next calf?