Post by Joann on Aug 6, 2010 19:59:03 GMT -5
Here is a suggestion from Midge several years ago:
Something to consider if you intend to sharemilk every day is to milk the same two quarters each day. You should be pleasantly surprised to learn that the cow will soon let-down these quarters
fully and you'll get ALL the cream from them. It can create a problem if you want to have a few days off milking and the cow doesn't let the calf nurse YOUR quarters tho. Been there!! I had to have a friend come and milk my quarters so I could relax and enjoy my holiday last year.
Edited to add that it's been maiden heifers, not cows who have learnt to save 'my' quarters.
And here is AnnB's method:
Fancy sharemilks quite well -- with a foster calf. She holds up for her own calf. I worked out a "reward program" for her with these last 2 heifer calves (her own and a foster).
I left the calf with her for 3 days, milking twice a day, putting a gallon of first colostrum in the freezer, and then only taking enough to relieve the pressure in the udder. On the morning of the 4th day, the calf was separated. After that the cow was milked twice a day, and if she didn't give a full letdown, the calf got a bottle and stayed in her little pen (where mama could reach through, but the calf couldn't nurse). If she gave a full letdown, she got the calf. Only took a week, and she got it through her head that if she wanted the calf, she had to give me the milk.
After 6-8 weeks, I gave her the second calf and went to separating at night, milking in the morning, and leaving the calves with her all day.
Joann
