Post by pipergrey93 on May 6, 2011 8:21:39 GMT -5
Compared to horses, I think cows are SO easy. Here's what I've done so far to prepare for an easy time of it when my two heifers calf soon. I've learned the hard way that when they have a calf and their hormones are crazy, typically they are nutty also and training at this stage can be a nightmare. I hope this is particularly helpful to those who have never trained a cow.
1. Get them used to the stanchion and liking it! If you don't have a stanchion, have a place to tie them in a corner somewhere.
I feed them, then when they are finished eating, I start brushing them with a curry comb which they love (or quickly learn to love). I use a consistent and soothing voice. The reason I brush after they eat is so they will learn that just b/c the food is gone, that does not mean they get to leave since they will usually go through their food long before you are finished milking. I do this until it goes like clockwork - no poop/pee/dancing.
2. I start getting them used to my hands all over them, especially on their teats and udder. If they poop/pee/kick I start introducing them to my mean voice and if kicking continues, they get a good whack with a crop immediately until they stop the kicking (a crop that I keep in my hand at this stage). I do this until it goes like clockwork, no poop/pee/dancing.
3. Since I want mine to machine and hand milk, I start hanging my belly surge milker on them while I do the curry comb brushing. I do not run the machine at this point, but just introduce them to the milker. This is when I start concentrating on teaching them to stand still. I wait for the beginnings of any movement and yell "NO" and stop the brushing. When they are still, the brushing continues. This is a good time to start playing with their teats. Again, I do this until it consistently goes smoothly.
4. Next I start training them to move their leg back. It's very frustrating when they have their leg blocking their teat when you're trying to milk. To do this I use a crop to tap gently on their foot and say "back". If they kick they get an immediate whack on their leg which I've already taught them will continue as long as they continue to kick. What I look for is for them to begin to take their weight off of this foot and at this point say in nice voice "good girl". I progress like this until they know when I tap their foot they need to move their leg back. I also have my other hand on their leg for two reasons. One, when I'm actually milking, I won't have the crop and this teaches them to respond to my hand. Two, I can feel immediately when they sift their weight to move their foot or I can block if they try to kick. I spent a lot of time on this until all I have to say is "back" with my hand on that leg and they move it back. Once they know what is expected of them, I say "back" and if they don't move their leg back I pop them lightly with the crop. By now they've learned the crop increases in intensity as they resist. However, I make sure that they fully understand the "back" command before I discipline them for not responding. The last thing I want to do is confuse them at this point with punishment that they don't understand. I want the training to be rewarding for them.
5. Once all the above is well learned I will start getting them used to the noise of the machine by simply having it on while I go through the routine.
I take each step very slowly until they are completely comfortable with it. That way, they don't develop any bad habits along the way. I also pick a time to do this when I am not rushed and things are quiet. The goal is to make them love coming in to get food and attention while teaching them slowly the rules. I never try to teach them faster than they seem to want to learn as it just builds frustration for them and me. Kicking however is different. They already know that their kick is aggressive and I never let them get away with it.
While all this may seem like it would take forever, it can usually be done in less than 2 weeks. I have two right now I'm training and it's only taken me 6 sessions to get to step 5 and the entire process has been fun for me and rewarding for them.
A note about a stanchion - if at all possible build one! There is something about them having their head stuck that seems to calm them and they quickly learn to trust you b/c they have no option. They also mind better b/c they know they have no option.
I hope this helps anyone who is new to milking. Not only will your cow be a pleasure to milk, it will help you become confident and calm which is sometimes half the battle.
I know others will have many great tips to add and the more 'tricks of the trade' you have to fall back on, the easier it will be for you and your cow. Sandy
1. Get them used to the stanchion and liking it! If you don't have a stanchion, have a place to tie them in a corner somewhere.
I feed them, then when they are finished eating, I start brushing them with a curry comb which they love (or quickly learn to love). I use a consistent and soothing voice. The reason I brush after they eat is so they will learn that just b/c the food is gone, that does not mean they get to leave since they will usually go through their food long before you are finished milking. I do this until it goes like clockwork - no poop/pee/dancing.
2. I start getting them used to my hands all over them, especially on their teats and udder. If they poop/pee/kick I start introducing them to my mean voice and if kicking continues, they get a good whack with a crop immediately until they stop the kicking (a crop that I keep in my hand at this stage). I do this until it goes like clockwork, no poop/pee/dancing.
3. Since I want mine to machine and hand milk, I start hanging my belly surge milker on them while I do the curry comb brushing. I do not run the machine at this point, but just introduce them to the milker. This is when I start concentrating on teaching them to stand still. I wait for the beginnings of any movement and yell "NO" and stop the brushing. When they are still, the brushing continues. This is a good time to start playing with their teats. Again, I do this until it consistently goes smoothly.
4. Next I start training them to move their leg back. It's very frustrating when they have their leg blocking their teat when you're trying to milk. To do this I use a crop to tap gently on their foot and say "back". If they kick they get an immediate whack on their leg which I've already taught them will continue as long as they continue to kick. What I look for is for them to begin to take their weight off of this foot and at this point say in nice voice "good girl". I progress like this until they know when I tap their foot they need to move their leg back. I also have my other hand on their leg for two reasons. One, when I'm actually milking, I won't have the crop and this teaches them to respond to my hand. Two, I can feel immediately when they sift their weight to move their foot or I can block if they try to kick. I spent a lot of time on this until all I have to say is "back" with my hand on that leg and they move it back. Once they know what is expected of them, I say "back" and if they don't move their leg back I pop them lightly with the crop. By now they've learned the crop increases in intensity as they resist. However, I make sure that they fully understand the "back" command before I discipline them for not responding. The last thing I want to do is confuse them at this point with punishment that they don't understand. I want the training to be rewarding for them.
5. Once all the above is well learned I will start getting them used to the noise of the machine by simply having it on while I go through the routine.
I take each step very slowly until they are completely comfortable with it. That way, they don't develop any bad habits along the way. I also pick a time to do this when I am not rushed and things are quiet. The goal is to make them love coming in to get food and attention while teaching them slowly the rules. I never try to teach them faster than they seem to want to learn as it just builds frustration for them and me. Kicking however is different. They already know that their kick is aggressive and I never let them get away with it.
While all this may seem like it would take forever, it can usually be done in less than 2 weeks. I have two right now I'm training and it's only taken me 6 sessions to get to step 5 and the entire process has been fun for me and rewarding for them.
A note about a stanchion - if at all possible build one! There is something about them having their head stuck that seems to calm them and they quickly learn to trust you b/c they have no option. They also mind better b/c they know they have no option.
I hope this helps anyone who is new to milking. Not only will your cow be a pleasure to milk, it will help you become confident and calm which is sometimes half the battle.
I know others will have many great tips to add and the more 'tricks of the trade' you have to fall back on, the easier it will be for you and your cow. Sandy