Post by corrae on Mar 29, 2019 12:09:25 GMT -5
I want to give a HUGE THANK YOU and shout out to bigredcow for her sage advice and wisdom.
I have a second calf heifer, Valley, who is the darling of the barn. Valley, aka Carrottop, has been hand raised here and is the friendliest, most loving heifer you ever want to meet. In your pocket, comes running when you call her, halter broke, leads like a dog on a string, blah blah blah.
And everything is great. She is a LOVE BUG.
Until you try to milk her.
Last year was such a nightmare with her first calf--even with a squeeze chute, a belly rope, and... well... much cussing and throwing fits, hers and mine... there was much kicking--wicked nasty aiming kicking--like--"Do not touch my udder, nasty Human. I kick your face in." Every. Single. Day. I finally admitted defeat and turned her out with her calf and didn't look at her again. I had other things to worry about. And she's a tiny little thing, and I knew her calf could keep up. (And frankly, she was such a horrible monster, I didn't much care at that point.)
Fast forward to now. She calved the most darling heifer calf Tuesday night. The most mini-mini Jersey. And her udder is of ginormous proportions... No way is Mini-Moo gonna keep up with the milk supply this year. So I asked bigredcow for suggestions... and she suggested the Proven Heifer Attitude Adjuster.
www.pbsanimalhealth.com/products/sharpvet-kick-stop-stainless-steel?via=Z2lkOi8vcmptYXR0aGV3cy9Xb3JrYXJlYTo6Q2F0YWxvZzo6Q2F0ZWdvcnkvNWI1Nzk1YTE4MWZkZGY2MTI0NWM2MjYz
Let me tell you, folks. This thing is a flipping miracle of steel. There are cheaper models out there--but you get what you pay for and for $46 and change, this is worth every penny. Valley is a Mini-Jersey and this kick stop put a swift end to her kicking. An end to her pooping and peeing. An end to everything except standing nicely and milking like a pro. Now, the tail does swish about a little--but not terribly, and nothing I would consider horrible. She can shuffle a little from side to side, and did on the first day, but Oh. My. Goodness. WHAT A GAME CHANGER.
If you've got a kicker.... run, don't walk, to your computer and get yourself one of these beauties. You will be so happy you did.
I have a second calf heifer, Valley, who is the darling of the barn. Valley, aka Carrottop, has been hand raised here and is the friendliest, most loving heifer you ever want to meet. In your pocket, comes running when you call her, halter broke, leads like a dog on a string, blah blah blah.
And everything is great. She is a LOVE BUG.
Until you try to milk her.
Last year was such a nightmare with her first calf--even with a squeeze chute, a belly rope, and... well... much cussing and throwing fits, hers and mine... there was much kicking--wicked nasty aiming kicking--like--"Do not touch my udder, nasty Human. I kick your face in." Every. Single. Day. I finally admitted defeat and turned her out with her calf and didn't look at her again. I had other things to worry about. And she's a tiny little thing, and I knew her calf could keep up. (And frankly, she was such a horrible monster, I didn't much care at that point.)
Fast forward to now. She calved the most darling heifer calf Tuesday night. The most mini-mini Jersey. And her udder is of ginormous proportions... No way is Mini-Moo gonna keep up with the milk supply this year. So I asked bigredcow for suggestions... and she suggested the Proven Heifer Attitude Adjuster.
www.pbsanimalhealth.com/products/sharpvet-kick-stop-stainless-steel?via=Z2lkOi8vcmptYXR0aGV3cy9Xb3JrYXJlYTo6Q2F0YWxvZzo6Q2F0ZWdvcnkvNWI1Nzk1YTE4MWZkZGY2MTI0NWM2MjYz
Let me tell you, folks. This thing is a flipping miracle of steel. There are cheaper models out there--but you get what you pay for and for $46 and change, this is worth every penny. Valley is a Mini-Jersey and this kick stop put a swift end to her kicking. An end to her pooping and peeing. An end to everything except standing nicely and milking like a pro. Now, the tail does swish about a little--but not terribly, and nothing I would consider horrible. She can shuffle a little from side to side, and did on the first day, but Oh. My. Goodness. WHAT A GAME CHANGER.
If you've got a kicker.... run, don't walk, to your computer and get yourself one of these beauties. You will be so happy you did.