lsg
member
Posts: 247
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Post by lsg on Apr 25, 2008 9:26:09 GMT -5
My little cow gave over a gallon of milk at last night's milking, even though her calf had pretty well nursed out one side. I am doing once a day milking for now as her calf is running with her. He is a sturdy little guy with a good appetite so I may have to separate them later on. This is DD's third calf and she seems very concerned about keeping him close to her and separate from the other cows. He is a week old, so maybe this is just new mother nervousness. She takes off with him as soon as she sees me coming. I have to head them off and herd them to the barn. What an ornery girl she is. My grandson was telling me the other night, how much sweeter her milk is than store milk. I guess it is the cream.
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Post by darbyfamily on Apr 25, 2008 9:58:43 GMT -5
Very cool that you got that much milk!!!! Im still just getting a quart a day or so, but once I get this calf weaner on the calf I'll get more. Very cute that the grandson likes the milk better My littlest (Austin) says "me want Spring milk" funny, since our cows name is Spring.
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Post by davendahlonega on Apr 26, 2008 20:46:35 GMT -5
I know what you mean about having to herd/chase them down. I can call Hazel in, but, her calf will get right to the gate and then turn around and run across the pasture. And of course she runs after him mooing the whole way. I finally have to corner them and grab the calf and carry him to the barn. I started separating them at night and I now get 1 gallon in the morning. I am now milking her in the morning only. My other girl calved last night at around 6:00 pm. My neighbors came out with their kids and watched. It was quite the event. One of families little girl noticed and went and got her family and I guess they told others. She had a bull calf, kinda chocolate colored.
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Post by seventrees on Apr 29, 2008 0:35:55 GMT -5
Stella gives nearly a gallon after being separated from Doug for 5 hours. She gives less when she's in heat, and doesn't even like to let down for Doug. I'll probably go to morning milking when the weather warms up. That should mean more milk since it will be a longer separation.
We keep them in the barnyard most of the day, and have it set up to just walk them into the stall for milking. I have to tie Doug near her, but it works pretty well. After milking they get to go out in one of the paddocks to graze.
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Post by davendahlonega on Apr 30, 2008 22:53:09 GMT -5
Boy do they learn quick. I haven't had to chase anyone for two nights. They figured out that when I open the barn door in the evening that they will get a treat and they ran all the way to their stalls. My Hazel is holding at one gallon OAD in the morning. Lizzie is still a little swollen and her udder is hard. I massaged her for about 30 min. tonight and got it to soften up a lot. I didn't get much out of her though. I separated her and her calf for the first time tonight. I hope she will give me a little more in the morning. I am going to stay with twice a day milking w/ her until I feel good about her udder. Keep that milk moving! Between her calf and I we should be able to get her into shape.
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