Post by moserfam6 on May 6, 2011 21:38:23 GMT -5
I just bought Emma, 6 1/2 year old jersey 2 days ago. The previous owner did not know her due date because he'd just let her graze with his bull. He'd had her dried off, but then she let some calves nurse on her in the pasture, and few days ago she was "all bagged up and crying to be milked". He milked her the night before we bought her and got 2 1/2 gallons and said we should get some "cow dry" shots and dry her out. He'd originally told me he thought she still had another month to go, but then at pickup time he said it looked like the baby had dropped and that her hips were spreading. The vulva is slightly swollen but not as much as Cocoa, the other jersey he sold us at the same time who is dry. These are my first cows and I wasn't sure how to dry her off, so 2 nights ago (24 hours since he'd milked her) we milked her out. Then last night I just milked her half way, and this morning just took about a 1/3 gallon--I just read the part that says never to do that--but my friend here told me if I leave a little it will gradually produce less and less. After reading tonight to milk her dry, I milked her dry--and she was standing at the gate wanting to go in, either to relieve the pressure b/c she looked full, or she wanted the sweet grain. When we first milked her it was very yellow. I called the owner and said I was worried it was colostrum and he said her milk is just really creamy. My friend tonight saw the milk and said it is definitely colostrum. What do I do? Could the baby come any time and it won't get enough colostrum because it's watered down with milk--and I've been taking some the last few milkings?Should I save the milk to give to the baby in a warm bottle? I've attached a picture of Emma's milk sitting next to Honey's milk--a jersey cross--so you can see the color. How soon before the baby comes does the colostrum come in?Should I just never milk her again until the baby comes. Should I buy extra colostrum? Would I get that from a vet? HELP WE ARE IN OVER OUR HEADS IN A TOWN WE JUST MOVED TO 3 WEEKS AGO!