Guest guest Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 Wayne: This is our personal experience. If you make sure the calf nurses all the spiggots the cow won't get mastitis. Let the calf nurse all the colostrum unless you want to save a pint or two in the freezer for emergencies. You may have to put the cow in a stanchion and feed her or she will just keep working away from you and get upset. Try and touch the cow's udder while the calf is nursing so she gets used to you touching her bag. The cow might not to be happy and may kick you away, just talk nice and be gently persistant. You want to be able to get to where you gently get some milk by starting at the top of the spiggot and pulling the milk down and out. If you have not milked before and are nervous the cow will be too, be patient and gentle. After about 3-4 days depending on whether it is a heifer or bull calf, the calf should have all the colostrum out and you can start saving milk. We would separate the calf from the cow for overnight or most of the day then milk what we wanted. Get a one legged stool to sit on and if you need to get away from a hoof quickly. Use some warm soap and water to wash the udder before milking. The cow will hold her milk to save it for the calf so you may need to massage the udder to relax her to let the milk down. Once the cow understands that this IS going to happen you can get your milk and then let the calf in with her and let her loose from the stanchion. If you feed her only when you milk she soon gets to be agreeable with the deal. Watch the calves poop. It should be sortof firm. If the calf gets diarrhea stop the milk immediately and get some probiotics and electrolytes down it. Good luck, June Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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