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Post by marla on Jul 21, 2008 6:56:11 GMT -5
Angie had a heifer calf in the wee hours of Sunday morning. This morning, her udder was very heavy and tight, and I tried to milk a little just to relieve the pressure for her. Nothing came out.
I've read books, and online descriptions, but I don't know why I"m not getting anything from her. (The calf is still with her.)
I can't afford to buy a milking machine, so I'm going to HAVE to learn to milk by hand. Any suggestions?
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Post by darbyfamily on Jul 21, 2008 7:30:50 GMT -5
I posted on family cow forum for you too... but be sure you're closing the teat off completely. Can you feel milk going back up into the udder when you sqeeze? I've had that happen before, so its just one of those pitfalls from experience that I can know to check on  Keep trying.. it'll be worth it! |
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Post by marla on Jul 21, 2008 8:21:54 GMT -5
Thanks, Jennifer! I'll try again tonight.
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Post by wstevenl on Jul 21, 2008 10:22:45 GMT -5
yeah... we had to milk her so hard! it felt like we were going to POP the milk out the end and the plug finally came out I guess. Just get some milk in the nipple, squeeze it tight at the top and then try to push that milk out the bottom... like you're trying to pop a balloon. After that first time, it was easier. You might need to get her started for the calf .... it's possible that the calf hasn't gotten anything yet and it MUST get the colostrum very soon as I found out this year!
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Post by marla on Jul 21, 2008 12:40:25 GMT -5
Would the calf be active and trotting along with Mom even if she didn't get colostrum? I figured since she seems so strong and acive, that she must be getting the good stuff. She's 36 hours old. Now I'm nervous!  |
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Post by wstevenl on Jul 21, 2008 13:01:20 GMT -5
Ours was mostly laying around.... and was really weak the first few days. If it's running around ... that's a great sign. I'd want to see the calf either nursing, or the cow show signs that it had nursed. Usually you can tell that a quarter or more of the udder is smaller if the calf nursed.
What worried me is that you said that you tried to milk her and couldn't get anything out. Ours didn't get colostrum until about 36 hours and ended up with an infection.... almost lost his sight because the infection was building up in his eyes and getting all cloudy.
Don't let me scare you though, the calf may just be nursing when you're not around.... they can get their fill really fast.
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Post by marla on Jul 26, 2008 11:42:43 GMT -5
Well, it's been 6 days and I'm still not able to milk Angie. Nothing comes out.
The calf, however, is getting lots of milk! She is now frolicking and running around in the pasture with her tail up in the air. She's cute!
I also watched her nurse, and she had flecks of cream all over her muzzle. I then tried to milk Angie on the other side of the udder, and got nothing.
Maybe I need a milking machine. I don't know. I'm thoroughly discouraged, though.
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Post by copperhead on Jul 27, 2008 11:36:00 GMT -5
Milking is a lot harder that people think, espicially for a first timer, you and the cow!!! Put some lubricant on the teat, I always pushed the calf off of the one he was sucking, and used milk. It makes the process easier. You might even try milking the same side the calf is, to kind of get a feel for it. There really is no reason why you should have a milking machine, you just need to get your feel for it. Do you have anyone in the area that milks ?? Go ask them if they could show you on their cow. Don't give up, once you get it figured out, it's really easy.
P.J.
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