Post by Lannie on Mar 18, 2011 12:50:12 GMT -5
Well, as a matter of fact, even though I don't drink anymore, I DO have a bottle of medicinal vodka out on the pantry shelf. It's there for tincture making, but maybe I should make an exception!
I actually have thought about that, Heather, but there are two reasons I want this kind. First is because if Cricket (or Bandit) move around any, they might be in danger of pulling the inflations off. As a general rule, the stanchion floor is clean and dry, however there are times like now, when it's covered in wet hay, which is there to provide grip for the hooves, and obviously, poopy hooves track in poop. The LAST thing I'd need is for her to move away, pull one or more of the inflations off, and have them suck up that stuff on the floor. Eeeeuuuuwwwww.... With the bucket hanging under her belly, if she moves sideways, the bucket goes with her. The second reason is that there might be water, but you know how fast it freezes at below zero temps, and I don't think I could keep longer hoses clean enough for my satisfaction. I've already decided I'm not even going to TRY to sled the milker and two or three extra buckets out to the barn. That might work just fine in the summer, but I don't want to do it differently between summer and winter. I need routine as much as the cows do. Our barn is just too far from the house for that to be convenient.
I have to make this work, and I know it's possible, but I'm fumbling around here with NO instructions, and trying to glean tips from you guys the best I can.
Last night went OK except for the one inflation that had poop on it, which threw me off, so maybe I should just start using it in the morning. Maybe if Rich isn't there to calm me, I'll be more responsible and do the right thing. (That's kind of a long shot, but you never know! ) Normally, I'm cool in a crisis and don't break down until afterward, but with Rich there to be the "calm one," maybe I'm breaking down early? I mean, what's the worst that could happen? She's already jumped on me, and it hurt, but nothing got broken, so I think I'll just take a deep breath and use the thing tomorrow morning. If she holds up tonight, she'll be right full in the morning, and I doubt she'll hold up then. If she does, she's going to be sorry, and I'm pretty sure she'd let down at the next milking. We went through this when I took Sammi off of her, and it only took her 3 milkings I think, before she gave up and let down. So maybe that's just what I have to do now.
~Lannie
I actually have thought about that, Heather, but there are two reasons I want this kind. First is because if Cricket (or Bandit) move around any, they might be in danger of pulling the inflations off. As a general rule, the stanchion floor is clean and dry, however there are times like now, when it's covered in wet hay, which is there to provide grip for the hooves, and obviously, poopy hooves track in poop. The LAST thing I'd need is for her to move away, pull one or more of the inflations off, and have them suck up that stuff on the floor. Eeeeuuuuwwwww.... With the bucket hanging under her belly, if she moves sideways, the bucket goes with her. The second reason is that there might be water, but you know how fast it freezes at below zero temps, and I don't think I could keep longer hoses clean enough for my satisfaction. I've already decided I'm not even going to TRY to sled the milker and two or three extra buckets out to the barn. That might work just fine in the summer, but I don't want to do it differently between summer and winter. I need routine as much as the cows do. Our barn is just too far from the house for that to be convenient.
I have to make this work, and I know it's possible, but I'm fumbling around here with NO instructions, and trying to glean tips from you guys the best I can.
Last night went OK except for the one inflation that had poop on it, which threw me off, so maybe I should just start using it in the morning. Maybe if Rich isn't there to calm me, I'll be more responsible and do the right thing. (That's kind of a long shot, but you never know! ) Normally, I'm cool in a crisis and don't break down until afterward, but with Rich there to be the "calm one," maybe I'm breaking down early? I mean, what's the worst that could happen? She's already jumped on me, and it hurt, but nothing got broken, so I think I'll just take a deep breath and use the thing tomorrow morning. If she holds up tonight, she'll be right full in the morning, and I doubt she'll hold up then. If she does, she's going to be sorry, and I'm pretty sure she'd let down at the next milking. We went through this when I took Sammi off of her, and it only took her 3 milkings I think, before she gave up and let down. So maybe that's just what I have to do now.
~Lannie