|
|
Post by RedRidge on Sept 21, 2014 9:03:07 GMT -5
Notice I didn't say chondro... Although chondro and shorter non-chondro are what I'm referring to.
Ok... Do you have any elevation to your milking area and if so how much is easily managed as a "step up" by even the shortest cow. I'm getting tired of ending up on my knees and hubby is going to pour some concrete and elevate for me. I guess I am spoiled having an elevated platform for milking the sheep. Pics and advice welcome.
|
|
|
|
Post by wagradexters on Sept 22, 2014 1:45:23 GMT -5
Sheri there was a video done at Knotting which included showing Jane Paynter's chondros hopping up onto raised platforms for machine milking. The video was called Dexters Are Delightful. Those cows all seemed to manage OK. Only a guess at the actual height of the milking platforms, maybe a foot.
MargaretW.
Au
|
|
|
|
Post by RedRidge on Sept 22, 2014 5:28:16 GMT -5
Thanks Margaret. That's what we finally decided on over the weekend - 12".
They have no trouble getting on the trailer at that height so we figured 12" was no big deal.
|
|
|
|
Post by carragheendexters on Sept 22, 2014 8:22:30 GMT -5
Sheri, I hear what you are saying. I don't have any sort of elevated bail, we just tie up against the fence of the yard and milk. I need to have a backup cow for taking to a field day so I have just started to train to milking a 10yr old chondro cow who is quite short. She is a quiet cow and she was quite good but needed a leg rope for gentle kicks, pushing me away really, but as I hand milk it took soooo long to milk her, and I only milked out 2 quarters and left the other 2 for her calf, by the time I finished my neck and back was killing me. I have a very low stool about 6 inches high.
I wish MY husband would build me something like what yours is doing. It would be so much easier.
Margaret, the cows in that video manage it very easily didn't they. It is ages since I watched it, but I am thinking that it may have been even higher than 12 inches, the cows actually jumped from memory. Whatever height it was it wasn't a problem for the cows.
|
|
|
|
Post by wagradexters on Sept 23, 2014 6:59:53 GMT -5
Sheri, I deleted a line from my reply to you before sending. It said "They have no trouble getting into the trailer"
Louise, we have all those old tapes on disc. I will dig them out of the archives and have a look. Later.
MargaretW
|
|
|
|
Post by RedRidge on Sept 23, 2014 7:31:57 GMT -5
That was how we determined how high to make the platform... We knew they had no trouble getting onto the trailer so just used that as a guide. ;-)
|
|
|
|
Post by cddexter on Oct 13, 2014 7:19:31 GMT -5
I think Margaret is right; about 15 iinches, just below my knee. No steps, just a slab of concrete. She also had the cups shortened. she also used a rock to make them hang straight on the really short ones.
cheers, c.
|
|
