Post by thea on Jul 6, 2008 21:06:47 GMT -5
This is a miscellaneous question post (hence the title! )
We're settling into our milking routine with Olga after the crazy rodeo the first 24 hours. She's doing really well, hasn't kicked and is going into the stanchion fine, I'm quite impressed with her actually.
The question has to do with production and machine milking. She's 5 days into her lactation and we're getting about 1 1/2 gallons in the am (although not today) and 1/2 gallon at night. She's a holstein/dexter so I really don't know what to expect in terms of production. How quickly does production rise? She's with the calf 24/7 and I'm sure he's already learned to suckle when he hears the clanking of the cans, he's also a really big boy. There is also almost no cream, just 1 inch on a half gallon mason jar. Maybe some Dexter people could chime in?
I'm using a machine for the first time and I like it ok, I just hope I'm doing it right! It seems like the motor turning on makes her jump and I have a feeling this may make let-down harder for her. Plus I have to fiddle with the claw everytime as it is very hard to get on, I have a nano-second to get each one on before the others fall off, it's really aggravating. My biggest concern is suction, how do you know if it's sucking too hard? The gage bounces around 50 but is there something else that would need adjustment? Tonight wne I took the cups off there were like these swollen donughts of flesh around the upper part of each teat. I don't want to damage her, I only leave it on 5-7 min max and I always hand strip.
Does anyone know what that might be caused by? Is suction adjustable (it's a Delaval bucket, the claw may or may not be, they built it for me out of spare parts at the milk machine repair place in town and I'm not sure how typical a setup it is)
Finally the calf, like I said is very big and he's already almost more than I can manage and tonight he even kicked me. How does one tame a calf? Is it doable even if it lives with mom? I've got a halter on him but if I hold it or attach a lead he goes berzerk, any tips to train?
Sorry for the long-rambling questions, just tired I guess! Thanks you all.
Thea
We're settling into our milking routine with Olga after the crazy rodeo the first 24 hours. She's doing really well, hasn't kicked and is going into the stanchion fine, I'm quite impressed with her actually.
The question has to do with production and machine milking. She's 5 days into her lactation and we're getting about 1 1/2 gallons in the am (although not today) and 1/2 gallon at night. She's a holstein/dexter so I really don't know what to expect in terms of production. How quickly does production rise? She's with the calf 24/7 and I'm sure he's already learned to suckle when he hears the clanking of the cans, he's also a really big boy. There is also almost no cream, just 1 inch on a half gallon mason jar. Maybe some Dexter people could chime in?
I'm using a machine for the first time and I like it ok, I just hope I'm doing it right! It seems like the motor turning on makes her jump and I have a feeling this may make let-down harder for her. Plus I have to fiddle with the claw everytime as it is very hard to get on, I have a nano-second to get each one on before the others fall off, it's really aggravating. My biggest concern is suction, how do you know if it's sucking too hard? The gage bounces around 50 but is there something else that would need adjustment? Tonight wne I took the cups off there were like these swollen donughts of flesh around the upper part of each teat. I don't want to damage her, I only leave it on 5-7 min max and I always hand strip.
Does anyone know what that might be caused by? Is suction adjustable (it's a Delaval bucket, the claw may or may not be, they built it for me out of spare parts at the milk machine repair place in town and I'm not sure how typical a setup it is)
Finally the calf, like I said is very big and he's already almost more than I can manage and tonight he even kicked me. How does one tame a calf? Is it doable even if it lives with mom? I've got a halter on him but if I hold it or attach a lead he goes berzerk, any tips to train?
Sorry for the long-rambling questions, just tired I guess! Thanks you all.
Thea