Post by faithhavenfarm on Mar 16, 2010 18:38:37 GMT -5
Yes, we are first timers (cows that is) and anxiously watching our Jersey girl Maggie. She's two and this is her first freshening. Her udder is really full today (and beautiful!), teats are less wrinkled and she's been pacing and calling to the neighboring cows. She has been cocking her tail and lying down but restless. She didn't come to the barn for evening feeding. We left her but made sure she was okay. She's in a fenced paddock area. Maggie is not tame and nervous around us. I am able to get her haltered in a stall and we have gotten her in our "cow containment device" (aka the stanchion) once a day this week. She ties but won't lead (aka farm mom drag). Once we have her haltered and stalled or in the stanchion, we can groom her and touch her all over. I am nervous about the first milkings. Okay, I'm nervous about the cow. I'm a goat girl and the size of a cow is so intimidating to me! I am worried that she will hurt us being protective over her calf being that she's a bit on the wild side. I do have the opportunity to get calves as soon as we need them. This is a blessing since we didn't get Maggie to be a family milk cow but rather to raise calves for meat.
So, are first fresheners like goats and will calm down and bond with you when you milk them or is Maggie destined to be a nurse cow? When will she quit always being nervous? We've had her almost a month. Our routine is to lure to the barn with her feed tub, close her in the stall (as quietly as possible), lay the lead rope over her neck and bring it around to catch and then get her halter on. I am able to do this in less than a minute now-if she comes to the barn. I think though that it's because she is so close to giving birth that she isn't as willing. Once I have her haltered I can lead her around the stall, tie her up and with the help of two other people lead her through the barn to the stanchion. I think that is good progress. At least I hope so. But I'm so nervous about the whole unknown!
Thanks for letting me share!
So, are first fresheners like goats and will calm down and bond with you when you milk them or is Maggie destined to be a nurse cow? When will she quit always being nervous? We've had her almost a month. Our routine is to lure to the barn with her feed tub, close her in the stall (as quietly as possible), lay the lead rope over her neck and bring it around to catch and then get her halter on. I am able to do this in less than a minute now-if she comes to the barn. I think though that it's because she is so close to giving birth that she isn't as willing. Once I have her haltered I can lead her around the stall, tie her up and with the help of two other people lead her through the barn to the stanchion. I think that is good progress. At least I hope so. But I'm so nervous about the whole unknown!
Thanks for letting me share!