Post by tattinglace on Feb 14, 2007 10:35:08 GMT -5
Hello. I have been a silent reader for a month now. My friend LaurieKs invited me to investigate the board. You have helped me through the final month of my Matilda's preg and the uneventful birth of Wilma and the first 10 days of calf management and learning to milk my first time heifer.
I was pondering the effects of a baseball bat this morning when my husband and I were milking. For Matilda--not my husband! Before I take up arms, I thought I'd break my silence, introduce myself and ask for help!
I have raised this calf from 2 days old. She knows me. We have a relationship. She comes when she is called. She loves to be brushed--even her hind legs and her udder area. I can lean on her, reach over her, under her, walk around her brushing up on her all the way around...no problem.
I get out the rag to wash her udder and she becomes a holstein tornado! My husband has helped me at each milking so far, but he's leaving for a couple days the end of the month and I'm scared to death!! Matilda mostly just lifts her leg up, but she usually calms down after my husband gets the first couple squirts from each teat.
We have a Kow Kant Kick device, but my husband took it off when she started flying around the stall. We never tried it again.
I tried to tie her foot back today, but almost took a mighty back kick to the face before she kicked the strap off. Then she caught me on the arm as I was trying to attach my side of the milking machine. (We just started the milking machine 2 days ago because we don't want to be under those flying legs any more than we have to.)
She only gave us 1/3 gallon last night, but this morning she was back up to her 1+ gallon. We are bringing the calf to her twice a day after we milk for about 1-2 hours. The calf had been scouring, but seems to be better when we keep them apart some. Matilda cannot see her calf all day when they are separated, but she doesn't seem to mind. They do well at their reunions. Matilda doesn't kick the calf anymore.
I have some treats Matilda likes and a boot maybe she could get to respect...I don't know. Would positive AND negative reinforcement work? So far, we just sternly say, "NO, MATTIE" when she kicks. She doesn't seem to care that she dissapoints us.
I feel like I know you all already. Thank you in advance for your help.
I was pondering the effects of a baseball bat this morning when my husband and I were milking. For Matilda--not my husband! Before I take up arms, I thought I'd break my silence, introduce myself and ask for help!
I have raised this calf from 2 days old. She knows me. We have a relationship. She comes when she is called. She loves to be brushed--even her hind legs and her udder area. I can lean on her, reach over her, under her, walk around her brushing up on her all the way around...no problem.
I get out the rag to wash her udder and she becomes a holstein tornado! My husband has helped me at each milking so far, but he's leaving for a couple days the end of the month and I'm scared to death!! Matilda mostly just lifts her leg up, but she usually calms down after my husband gets the first couple squirts from each teat.
We have a Kow Kant Kick device, but my husband took it off when she started flying around the stall. We never tried it again.
I tried to tie her foot back today, but almost took a mighty back kick to the face before she kicked the strap off. Then she caught me on the arm as I was trying to attach my side of the milking machine. (We just started the milking machine 2 days ago because we don't want to be under those flying legs any more than we have to.)
She only gave us 1/3 gallon last night, but this morning she was back up to her 1+ gallon. We are bringing the calf to her twice a day after we milk for about 1-2 hours. The calf had been scouring, but seems to be better when we keep them apart some. Matilda cannot see her calf all day when they are separated, but she doesn't seem to mind. They do well at their reunions. Matilda doesn't kick the calf anymore.
I have some treats Matilda likes and a boot maybe she could get to respect...I don't know. Would positive AND negative reinforcement work? So far, we just sternly say, "NO, MATTIE" when she kicks. She doesn't seem to care that she dissapoints us.
I feel like I know you all already. Thank you in advance for your help.