So proud, I just have to brag
May 3, 2016 11:04:40 GMT -5
simplynaturalfarm, Shawn, and 11 more like this
Post by hoperefuge on May 3, 2016 11:04:40 GMT -5
I just got back in from milking Jammy. This morning was our 5th training session, I believe, and she's been such a good girl!
I left her go the first few days after calving, as she had a fair bit of edema & the calf seemed to be keeping after things pretty well. Around day 4 or 5, she had a couple quarters still full when I went out, so I decided to make it our first milking session. The most she has done is give a gentle swipe at the milker the first couple times I milked, but then would put her foot back down when I pushed her leg back. Otherwise she hasn't objected to the process at all.
I've only been working with her about every other day, because I milk BoPeep every other day, so it's easier to do Jammy on the days in between. I haven't been separating the calf at all, but I've been bringing baby Ruby into the parlor with Jammy, and the last couple times I timed it right that Ruby was actually hungry enough to "help" with let down (it would still take a full 2-3 minutes for her to let down). Not this morning, though. Jammy's teats felt slimy when I washed them, and though Ruby's face was totally dry, she obviously was not hungry. Two of Jammy's quarters still felt fairly full, though, so I went ahead.
She didn't swipe at the milker at all today. Ruby gave a couple quick sucks on the two emptier quarters, but then walked away...not enough for let down. I decided to persist for a while anyway, and after about another minute the top of her udder went soft & the milk started flowing! I took what I easily could from all 4 quarters, but didn't put a lot of effort into cleaning her out, in case Ruby would want to eat sooner than later. She gave a full-to-the-brim 1/2 gallon jar!
So, yes, this is a purebred DEXTER, first-freshener heifer, not separated from her calf. She let down for ME & gave a 1/2 gallon. Needless to say, I'm very proud of her!
However, I will also tell this, lest anyone think it was a morning full of nothing but rainbows & pixie dust. When I was done, I opened the door for Jammy to go out, but didn't ask her to leave as she was still trying to lick up the crumbs in the trough & on the floor. Instead, I squatted down to give Ruby some scritches & love. Well, before I knew it, I heard the splat, splat of my parlor floor being decorated with spring grass runs. I tried to shoo her out the door quick, but it was too late. She emptied her entire load before I got her out the door! Oh well, I guess the floor needed cleaned anyway.
Kim
I left her go the first few days after calving, as she had a fair bit of edema & the calf seemed to be keeping after things pretty well. Around day 4 or 5, she had a couple quarters still full when I went out, so I decided to make it our first milking session. The most she has done is give a gentle swipe at the milker the first couple times I milked, but then would put her foot back down when I pushed her leg back. Otherwise she hasn't objected to the process at all.
I've only been working with her about every other day, because I milk BoPeep every other day, so it's easier to do Jammy on the days in between. I haven't been separating the calf at all, but I've been bringing baby Ruby into the parlor with Jammy, and the last couple times I timed it right that Ruby was actually hungry enough to "help" with let down (it would still take a full 2-3 minutes for her to let down). Not this morning, though. Jammy's teats felt slimy when I washed them, and though Ruby's face was totally dry, she obviously was not hungry. Two of Jammy's quarters still felt fairly full, though, so I went ahead.
She didn't swipe at the milker at all today. Ruby gave a couple quick sucks on the two emptier quarters, but then walked away...not enough for let down. I decided to persist for a while anyway, and after about another minute the top of her udder went soft & the milk started flowing! I took what I easily could from all 4 quarters, but didn't put a lot of effort into cleaning her out, in case Ruby would want to eat sooner than later. She gave a full-to-the-brim 1/2 gallon jar!
So, yes, this is a purebred DEXTER, first-freshener heifer, not separated from her calf. She let down for ME & gave a 1/2 gallon. Needless to say, I'm very proud of her!
However, I will also tell this, lest anyone think it was a morning full of nothing but rainbows & pixie dust. When I was done, I opened the door for Jammy to go out, but didn't ask her to leave as she was still trying to lick up the crumbs in the trough & on the floor. Instead, I squatted down to give Ruby some scritches & love. Well, before I knew it, I heard the splat, splat of my parlor floor being decorated with spring grass runs. I tried to shoo her out the door quick, but it was too late. She emptied her entire load before I got her out the door! Oh well, I guess the floor needed cleaned anyway.
Kim