newbie to milking

[blueboy2]

Really new, haven't started milking.. Calf (girl) arrived 3/18- named patty, (st. Patty day-after) Have two dexters, cow has had 3 calfs before I got her . A help to me except found out she hasn't been milked, so we will both be new. The other is 11 mn. Heifer. I have questions in regards to her i will later pick your brains about.I plan to try my hand at milking around day three. Any warnings, advice ,know how, a help here. Also info in regards to calf. Milk with her there, tied? Leave calf always with mom? Read many different ideas. I would like to keep them together. Milk is only for personal use , as have. Would like my yogart made from it. Any how, any advice is considered.  Good to be here.Living in NY, we have grass fed, black angus, only grass we grow organic. Have gypsy cobs we bred, expecting 12 more foals spring ,4 in fall. Belgiums,  haflingers,  donkeys,  chicken, dogs, mice, cats , kids, grandkids, 1 husband. And the beat goes on.....

[karenp]

Lower Delaware

I have not advise since I haven't started milking yet either, but I like the name.

[dexterfarm]

A stanchion is a must have. I prefer a raised stanchion. Another must have is a belly rope. I started out hand milking but soon switched to a machine.
We leave the calf with the cow 24 7 for first 2 weeks or more. When the calf starts taking to much milk we separate at night. We separate in the barn with a wooden gate between them. so they can be together but cant get to each other. In the morning I milk and turn them out together for the day.

[carragheendexters]

Hi Blueboy2,

everyone does things a little differently. You try out everything and then do what suits you, your cow, and your routine.

Were you sold your cow as a milker? It is an unfortunate thing that many people sell Dexters as house cows to unsuspecting new people, and they have never been milked. If this is the case, they should explain this to the prospective purchaser that the cow hasn't been trained to milk, and adjust the price accordingly. A trained house cow commands a higher price. In my book that is somewhat dishonest, and unethical to sell an untrained cow as a house cow.

We milk from day1 or 2, those quarter/quarters that the calf doesn't drink from, but don't keep the milk for ourselves, too still sickly thick and yellow full of colostrum. We give this to the chooks usually, a bit rich for the dogs( upsets their tummies). We have had enquiries from Indian people wanting the colostrum, they make a dessert with it, but it is illegal here in Australia (where we live ) to sell raw milk for human consumption.

We hand milk, no electricity for a machine at the shed. We use a simple bail, but it is definitely on my wish list for a raised milking bail in the old dairy, my back kills down so low. My ultra quieter cattle I can just tie to the fence in the paddock and milk, that is very easy.
My cows that I milk are high producers, so don't have to lock the calf away for the first 6-weeks, just get a little less milk each day till I decide that I want more, and then the calf gets locked up for the night.

It will depend on how quiet your cow is as to how long it takes for her to settle into milking, if she hasn't been extensively handled and prepared for milking, she may take a little longer to be calm about it.

We always use a leg rope if we use the bail, even if they don't kick, I don't like the idea of all of that milk being wasted when the cow knocks the bucket over with an annoying fly.

hey are you Australian with that Bluey in your Avatar?

I'm drooling at the thought of your Gypsy Cobs, I've wanted one forever, since I came across them in England and Ireland back in the '80s, most unreal horses, tethered out around the camps.
Unfortunately we can't afford one, my husband won't come to the party and let me extend our mortgage to buy myself one LOL.

regards Louise

[zephyrhillsusan]

One other thought since you and she are both new to milking, like me and my girl, I milked for the first few times without separating mom and calf at all. That way the cow isn't full or tender or anxious for her calf. I brought the calf into the stanchion and tied her where mom could see her. My cow never once tried to kick, acted like she'd been to milking school! I should add that before I tried to milk, I brought her into the stanchion and fed her there without restraining her at all, just let her eat and as soon as she was done I got her out. Slow and easy does it. The third time I shut her in the head catch, and she was fine. The next time I started to milk. If you milk into something small, there's no bucket for her to kick accidentally and startle herself. I told myself that the goal was for us to have a good experience--NOT to get milk. Any milk was a plus. That kept us both relaxed and made it a win-win situation. If you search my blog which is listed here, I told a lot about how we learned together. Internet is acting up tonight so I can't attach the links for you, but just click on the tags "milking a Dexter" and "milking parlor and stanchion." Good lick--this is a truly special partnership you're embarking on!

[zephyrhillsusan]

Looks like auto-correct is acting up, too, and I don't dare try to edit for fear the internet will fade out and I'll lose the post. Good lick if you make ice cream. Otherwise, good luck!

[carragheendexters]

Oh yeah Susan, I noticed that,
I was actually wondering if it wasn't a little bit intentional. Now if it is Dexter cream ice cream, definitely good lick! Yum Yum!

[carragheendexters]

Susan,I do also sometimes milk into a 2 litre(about 2 quarts )jug if it is particularly dusty, windy, or lots of flies, and transfer it as I go to the covered bucket. It just frustrates me though having to keep breaking the flow and going to the bucket, then coming back and settling down to start again.
Once I start milking I like to just tune out and keep going till the finish. I find it really relaxing.
regards Louise

[zephyrhillsusan]

This great video was just shared on Keeping a Family Cow, and I want to share it here, too. There are lots of Q & A's after the video that are helpful, too.

Prepare an Udder Like a Pro  It's changed how I prepare!

[Mare]

My 2 cents, I started milking with just first rubbing my hands over her udders and letting her get use to me being near her, then working her teats. Then I tried milking her. After a few days of that she seemed not to mind. I just gave her a bucket of grain and she just stood there and let me milk. Not every cow is going to be the same. But it's true about taking it slow. It worked for me. Good luck!!!!! Not to bad after you start. Mare

[hollyrockranch]

Mar 19, 2014 20:06:34 GMT -5 carragheendexters said:

Hi Blueboy2,

everyone does things a little differently. You try out everything and then do what suits you, your cow, and your routine.

Were you sold your cow as a milker? It is an unfortunate thing that many people sell Dexters as house cows to unsuspecting new people, and they have never been milked. If this is the case, they should explain this to the prospective purchaser that the cow hasn't been trained to milk, and adjust the price accordingly. A trained house cow commands a higher price. In my book that is somewhat dishonest, and unethical to sell an untrained cow as a house cow.

We milk from day1 or 2, those quarter/quarters that the calf doesn't drink from, but don't keep the milk for ourselves, too still sickly thick and yellow full of colostrum. We give this to the chooks usually, a bit rich for the dogs( upsets their tummies). We have had enquiries from Indian people wanting the colostrum, they make a dessert with it, but it is illegal here in Australia (where we live ) to sell raw milk for human consumption.

We hand milk, no electricity for a machine at the shed. We use a simple bail, but it is definitely on my wish list for a raised milking bail in the old dairy, my back kills down so low. My ultra quieter cattle I can just tie to the fence in the paddock and milk, that is very easy.
My cows that I milk are high producers, so don't have to lock the calf away for the first 6-weeks, just get a little less milk each day till I decide that I want more, and then the calf gets locked up for the night.

It will depend on how quiet your cow is as to how long it takes for her to settle into milking, if she hasn't been extensively handled and prepared for milking, she may take a little longer to be calm about it.

We always use a leg rope if we use the bail, even if they don't kick, I don't like the idea of all of that milk being wasted when the cow knocks the bucket over with an annoying fly.

hey are you Australian with that Bluey in your Avatar?

I'm drooling at the thought of your Gypsy Cobs, I've wanted one forever, since I came across them in England and Ireland back in the '80s, most unreal horses, tethered out around the camps.
Unfortunately we can't afford one, my husband won't come to the party and let me extend our mortgage to buy myself one LOL.

regards Louise

[hollyrockranch]

Hi carragheendexters Louise I liked your comment. I too share milk with the caves by separating them at night. It did not take long to train my Dexter's to milk I handled them as heifers went through the milking motions to get them us to being touched in that manor. When they came in to there milk it took a couple days to get them settled in but know they weight at the gate too get milked. My first Dexter cow was RdoubleD Allie, she was a show champion in the show ring for the previse owner but she had not been milked. She was 4 years old and timid and did not like to be captured when we first got her. Allie had just given us our first heifer calf at the time. Allie had been handled for the show ring but not as a house milk cow it took Allie a little longer too get in to the milking groove about a week but know she is a great dairy cow and I can even go out in the field and pet her it took a long time too get her too trust me. I love all my Dexter's they are the best cows in my opinion. Just keep working with your cows and it will pay off.