Post by hafnhaf on Aug 31, 2010 13:21:44 GMT -5
this probably seems ho-hum to those of you with good cows, but we are so thrilled with our new-ish cow Sadie. She is the Anti-Mookie. We got her as a heifer in May and she calved Aug 20th and she is so far a perfect milk cow! The first two days we milked she very mildly, half-heartedly kicked, the third day one leg lift and that was it. She has not offered to kick, or move her leg since. I can even milk her from behind. On the fifth day we started using the machine, sort of... We have never used one before so there was quite a bit of trial and error. She never flinched once, no legs moving, just a furtive look back, then back to the grain. A few of the sessions took about 45 minutes and she was so patient. We started with one cup, then two, then we finally put all four on at the same time (don't laugh, we are dumbys with the machine). We are having lovely fresh milk for the first time since March, and boy is it good. And we are getting about a gallon a day even sharing with the calf. Could probably get a little more, but 1 gallon is more than enough.
I remember posting questions about how to stop Mookie from this and that and being a little shocked when people on KFC would suggest I get rid of Mookie and get a different cow. Despite her violent kicking, having to be hobbled EVERY-TIME she was milked, her constant rocking and shifting in the stanchion and her general piss-poor attitude, I loved my little jerky cow. Not anymore!!!! I am so glad she is gone. I just can't believe how lovely Sadie is, so still, so patient. She is not a pet, is aloof, doesn't desire attention, but she is a champ at her job.
ok, I will quit gushing. for now....
Laurie
I remember posting questions about how to stop Mookie from this and that and being a little shocked when people on KFC would suggest I get rid of Mookie and get a different cow. Despite her violent kicking, having to be hobbled EVERY-TIME she was milked, her constant rocking and shifting in the stanchion and her general piss-poor attitude, I loved my little jerky cow. Not anymore!!!! I am so glad she is gone. I just can't believe how lovely Sadie is, so still, so patient. She is not a pet, is aloof, doesn't desire attention, but she is a champ at her job.
ok, I will quit gushing. for now....
Laurie