Post by Tricia on Jun 27, 2006 7:57:41 GMT -5
Well, I have a 3 year old Grass fed Jersey, MOlly. She had her second calf in the beginning of April (calf has since been sold).
Last year she was giving 5 gallons at her peak, then settled down to 4 gallons which eventually dwindled down to around a gallon when I weaned her in Febuary. We don't feed grain, she is pastured with free choice salt, kelp and diary minerals and Hay in the winter. She is the picture of health. Her milk has always had high cream content. She was in heat 2 weeks ago and was bred to our highlander bull.
My dilema is...... She was upto 6 gallons a day 3 weeks ago. This has now dwindled to 2 gallons and barely any cream.
The pasture is in top form she has the best of everything. Well, her heifer daughter who is 15 months old slipped under the temp. fence and was snacking on momma last week. Then I noticed the 2 highlander calves (born March and April) smacking their lips when I walked Molly near their part of the pasture. So I'm assuming they were slipping under the fence and snacking also. We had this issue last year with last years calves. So last week (it's been about 7 days now) I put more distance and more wires between Molly and the "snackers" , all was quiet. Production did not go up but I don't think she is letting down and there is minimal cream. Now she won't shut up. She is mooing at the highlander herd 24/7. She is ornery, contrary and downright a pain in the but. She doesn't want to come in to be milked.
I cannot find a physical problem, her udder is healthy. I am going crazy with the mooing, can I muzzle a cow. It is driving me and the neighbors crazy.
So am I right the calves were sneaking snacks and now she is holding back on me? or is she is heat so soon?
I'm wondering if I didn't milk her tonight it would force her to come in for milking in the morning?
Any ideas or suggestions. PLEASE. I'm going to get out my ear protection now.
Thank you.
Last year she was giving 5 gallons at her peak, then settled down to 4 gallons which eventually dwindled down to around a gallon when I weaned her in Febuary. We don't feed grain, she is pastured with free choice salt, kelp and diary minerals and Hay in the winter. She is the picture of health. Her milk has always had high cream content. She was in heat 2 weeks ago and was bred to our highlander bull.
My dilema is...... She was upto 6 gallons a day 3 weeks ago. This has now dwindled to 2 gallons and barely any cream.
The pasture is in top form she has the best of everything. Well, her heifer daughter who is 15 months old slipped under the temp. fence and was snacking on momma last week. Then I noticed the 2 highlander calves (born March and April) smacking their lips when I walked Molly near their part of the pasture. So I'm assuming they were slipping under the fence and snacking also. We had this issue last year with last years calves. So last week (it's been about 7 days now) I put more distance and more wires between Molly and the "snackers" , all was quiet. Production did not go up but I don't think she is letting down and there is minimal cream. Now she won't shut up. She is mooing at the highlander herd 24/7. She is ornery, contrary and downright a pain in the but. She doesn't want to come in to be milked.
I cannot find a physical problem, her udder is healthy. I am going crazy with the mooing, can I muzzle a cow. It is driving me and the neighbors crazy.
So am I right the calves were sneaking snacks and now she is holding back on me? or is she is heat so soon?
I'm wondering if I didn't milk her tonight it would force her to come in for milking in the morning?
Any ideas or suggestions. PLEASE. I'm going to get out my ear protection now.
Thank you.