Post by elnini on Nov 20, 2010 19:57:55 GMT -5
Hi,
I'm in Australia and have recently bought a 3yo dexter cow and a little steer from the same farm (as her companion). She's had one calf, but she stayed with the breeder.
They are both halter trained and gentle. I don't need to tie the cow to milk her, and both she and the little steer are brushed all over after each milking.
I was wondering if there are any books, videos or resources about cow whispering, like there are for horses. I'd love to know more about what she's thinking and why she does things.
For example, the other night, about half an hour before milking, she was bouncing around behind the chickens to make them run. Then she came bouncing over to me, looking for all the world like a dog that wanted to play. So we spent 15 mins running around each other in circles, she'd chase then I'd chase, til I couldn't run any more.
At milking after that she was really bossy and pushy, I'd like to find out things like was playing a bad idea ? Is there a way to play which still leaves me at the top of the pecking order ? Was she a pain simply because she'd been worked up, like a kid playing a rowdy game before bedtime ?
I'd like to know also if there are things I can do to make our bond stronger, and increase trust, both with her and the steer. He's 9mths old now and will only get bigger and stronger. And I'd like to be able to work with her next calf.
Sorry this is so long, but I never thought I'd fall in love with cows. I love my little flock of sheep, but she has so much personality and is so gentle, even never having been milked before, I just want to have the best relationship.
Thanks for any leads you can give me !
I'm in Australia and have recently bought a 3yo dexter cow and a little steer from the same farm (as her companion). She's had one calf, but she stayed with the breeder.
They are both halter trained and gentle. I don't need to tie the cow to milk her, and both she and the little steer are brushed all over after each milking.
I was wondering if there are any books, videos or resources about cow whispering, like there are for horses. I'd love to know more about what she's thinking and why she does things.
For example, the other night, about half an hour before milking, she was bouncing around behind the chickens to make them run. Then she came bouncing over to me, looking for all the world like a dog that wanted to play. So we spent 15 mins running around each other in circles, she'd chase then I'd chase, til I couldn't run any more.
At milking after that she was really bossy and pushy, I'd like to find out things like was playing a bad idea ? Is there a way to play which still leaves me at the top of the pecking order ? Was she a pain simply because she'd been worked up, like a kid playing a rowdy game before bedtime ?
I'd like to know also if there are things I can do to make our bond stronger, and increase trust, both with her and the steer. He's 9mths old now and will only get bigger and stronger. And I'd like to be able to work with her next calf.
Sorry this is so long, but I never thought I'd fall in love with cows. I love my little flock of sheep, but she has so much personality and is so gentle, even never having been milked before, I just want to have the best relationship.
Thanks for any leads you can give me !