Post by maggiesherd on Oct 26, 2007 11:34:37 GMT -5
Well, I have milked a cow! ;D I'll give you the run down.
Last night, Vanilla was dropped off and her regular milker help me milk her. Vanilla is nervous and it was clear that she wasn't letting her milk down. Nevertheless, we milk out about 1 quart. (remember, she's a low producer anyways) so of course, I was elated. Then bright and early this morning, (It was still dark) I gathered my new Walmart rags, white ones, per Kerri's advice, I heated up some water and put a couple of drops of Dawn detergent, Kerri again , and tried to make it to the stall with my milk pail, my washing bucket, a dry rag and my coffee. I quickly learned that coffee is going to have be consumed before we milk or after. Not enough hands. I sat on my little garden cart to milk.
Vanilla's rope lead was left on her to make it easier to catch her until she gets used to us. So, it was a cinch to catch her, she walked straight to the stanchion, started on her grains, finished them way before I finished milking, but stood there patiently until it was determined by my computer savvy son, who also happens to have milking experience, that she was "empty." I did o.k. My son milked her a little bit, he did better, but I'm not giving up. I still think let down is not happening too well. I understand she's confused. She bellowed all night long and is still moo-ing. So much so that my husband walked over to make sure she didn't disturb the neighbors.
My son will not be available to help me for a couple of days, but I will try to get photos. Maggie was pushed out of the way by Vanilla. I was sad for her at first, but my husband reminded me that it was probably good for Maggie to learn a little submission. She still butts
my littles so now she knows how it feels to be picked on.
Our biggest challenge was keeping Maggie out of the grain. She acted like a kid that had tasted candy for the first time. So, I tied her up this morning and as soon as I get some, I am going to give her her own helping of alfalfa pellets next to the stanchion, tied up, so that she can learn the routine too. She stood in the stanchion after we milked Vanilla, with her head through, as if to say "milk me, milk me." Silly cow.
Thanks for rooting for us and all the great advice. Our friends that own Vanilla have been extremely helpful; written directions and where to buy her feed etc. I'm blessed by good people in my life.
Heather, I'm going to save your feeding info. I'm anxious to try a couple of things. Her owners have been real sweet to encourage us to "play around" with different ideas so I feel that, as long as she is getting good quality hay and some of her grains and maintaining her condition, I have a little leeway to try some other things.
We rolled out the bale of hay between two trees and made a tarp tent for it. It seems to be nice hay.
I am grateful to God for this little bit of "back to the earth." Thanks everyone.
Carol
Last night, Vanilla was dropped off and her regular milker help me milk her. Vanilla is nervous and it was clear that she wasn't letting her milk down. Nevertheless, we milk out about 1 quart. (remember, she's a low producer anyways) so of course, I was elated. Then bright and early this morning, (It was still dark) I gathered my new Walmart rags, white ones, per Kerri's advice, I heated up some water and put a couple of drops of Dawn detergent, Kerri again , and tried to make it to the stall with my milk pail, my washing bucket, a dry rag and my coffee. I quickly learned that coffee is going to have be consumed before we milk or after. Not enough hands. I sat on my little garden cart to milk.
Vanilla's rope lead was left on her to make it easier to catch her until she gets used to us. So, it was a cinch to catch her, she walked straight to the stanchion, started on her grains, finished them way before I finished milking, but stood there patiently until it was determined by my computer savvy son, who also happens to have milking experience, that she was "empty." I did o.k. My son milked her a little bit, he did better, but I'm not giving up. I still think let down is not happening too well. I understand she's confused. She bellowed all night long and is still moo-ing. So much so that my husband walked over to make sure she didn't disturb the neighbors.
My son will not be available to help me for a couple of days, but I will try to get photos. Maggie was pushed out of the way by Vanilla. I was sad for her at first, but my husband reminded me that it was probably good for Maggie to learn a little submission. She still butts
my littles so now she knows how it feels to be picked on.
Our biggest challenge was keeping Maggie out of the grain. She acted like a kid that had tasted candy for the first time. So, I tied her up this morning and as soon as I get some, I am going to give her her own helping of alfalfa pellets next to the stanchion, tied up, so that she can learn the routine too. She stood in the stanchion after we milked Vanilla, with her head through, as if to say "milk me, milk me." Silly cow.
Thanks for rooting for us and all the great advice. Our friends that own Vanilla have been extremely helpful; written directions and where to buy her feed etc. I'm blessed by good people in my life.
Heather, I'm going to save your feeding info. I'm anxious to try a couple of things. Her owners have been real sweet to encourage us to "play around" with different ideas so I feel that, as long as she is getting good quality hay and some of her grains and maintaining her condition, I have a little leeway to try some other things.
We rolled out the bale of hay between two trees and made a tarp tent for it. It seems to be nice hay.
I am grateful to God for this little bit of "back to the earth." Thanks everyone.
Carol