Post by mooo on Oct 10, 2007 19:50:33 GMT -5
Egads fellow cow-people...got my cow. Now named Aster. She's short! and her udder hangs so low to the ground it's virtually impossible for me to milk her. My hands are so large that I get half the milk shooting against the outside of my hand below the pinkie. I end up having to milk with three fingers... I've milked her twice and already need back surgery! lol
Yesterday evening I finally wisened up and put the calves on her. It took a few minutes but they all latched on and drank well, now I just need to watch that they don't get upset tummies from the too-sudden change from replacer to real milk. I mixed bottles half and half yesterday morning and then last night they got straight milk. Not ideal, I know, but it was either that or she'd start reducing production as I just can't get her all milked out.
I'm going to be looking for an udder support for her, I'm sure that'd make it much easier for her to ambulate & lessen the risk of injury to the udder. It wouldn't surprise me in the least that the increase SCC is due to an udder injury as there is no graceful way for her to get to her feet from a lying position.
I was surprised with Molly at how large she was, being a jersey and all, and Aster surprised me with how small she is - and she's probably more typically Jersey! After having to try to milk a jersey I now know why my first two cows were Holstein. I'm going to try to get a surge milker so that if I do need to milk Molly or Aster I can use it instead of doing it by hand, and I think it'll make it easier to find someone to do chores when I want to leave town!
Now I'm wondering how best to let the calves nurse. I have 4 of them right now. I can't decide whether to give them free access & allow them to nurse at will or if I want to restrict their access and allow them to nurse twice a day. Don't think it'll take much encouragement for her to nurse them. I'm thinking that if allowed free access they'll be much less rough on the udder as they won't ever really get famished as they do when they're 12 hours between feedings...they'll go grab a slurp and then it'll be off to get into trouble elsewhere...what do y'all think?
... Today...
I tell ya I'm muy impressed with Aster. Went out this afternoon, well after they're used to getting fed and not a bawlin' calf in sight! Aster is letting the calves nurse and is licking them and talking to them like she gave birth to all 4. The pig was visiting her across the fence and she went ballistic, pawing and daring Yum! to come one step further! Yay Aster! No signs that the switch has upset anyone...I think I got a really good deal!
Yesterday evening I finally wisened up and put the calves on her. It took a few minutes but they all latched on and drank well, now I just need to watch that they don't get upset tummies from the too-sudden change from replacer to real milk. I mixed bottles half and half yesterday morning and then last night they got straight milk. Not ideal, I know, but it was either that or she'd start reducing production as I just can't get her all milked out.
I'm going to be looking for an udder support for her, I'm sure that'd make it much easier for her to ambulate & lessen the risk of injury to the udder. It wouldn't surprise me in the least that the increase SCC is due to an udder injury as there is no graceful way for her to get to her feet from a lying position.
I was surprised with Molly at how large she was, being a jersey and all, and Aster surprised me with how small she is - and she's probably more typically Jersey! After having to try to milk a jersey I now know why my first two cows were Holstein. I'm going to try to get a surge milker so that if I do need to milk Molly or Aster I can use it instead of doing it by hand, and I think it'll make it easier to find someone to do chores when I want to leave town!
Now I'm wondering how best to let the calves nurse. I have 4 of them right now. I can't decide whether to give them free access & allow them to nurse at will or if I want to restrict their access and allow them to nurse twice a day. Don't think it'll take much encouragement for her to nurse them. I'm thinking that if allowed free access they'll be much less rough on the udder as they won't ever really get famished as they do when they're 12 hours between feedings...they'll go grab a slurp and then it'll be off to get into trouble elsewhere...what do y'all think?
... Today...
I tell ya I'm muy impressed with Aster. Went out this afternoon, well after they're used to getting fed and not a bawlin' calf in sight! Aster is letting the calves nurse and is licking them and talking to them like she gave birth to all 4. The pig was visiting her across the fence and she went ballistic, pawing and daring Yum! to come one step further! Yay Aster! No signs that the switch has upset anyone...I think I got a really good deal!