Training a heifer to milk, just have to brag on her!

[hoperefuge]

I started training Jammy to milk several days after her first calving on 4/20.  She is doing so well & I am so proud of her!

She has only swiped a foot gently at the milker a few times, but has put it back down when I pushed her leg back.  Otherwise, she has made no objections to the process.  Her heifer Ruby usually comes into the parlor with her & a couple times "helped" with let down for me.  I haven't separated them at all, but Jammy usually still has one or two quarters that feel fairly full when I go out in the morning, so I'm thinking she's going to have pretty decent production.

Tuesday was about our 5th training session (I've been milking her only about every other day), and Ruby wasn't very interested in nursing...she just gave a few quick sucks on the 2 emptier quarters then walked away.  I persisted, and Jammy gave me a good let down anyway.  I took what I easily could from all four quarters, but didn't try very hard to completely empty her out.

She gave me a half gallon jar absolutely full-to-the-brim!  And the cream line is very comparable to that of my Jersey/Dexter cross, BoPeep.  Here is a photo showing Jammy's jar on the right, with one of Bo's (equally full to the rim) on the left for comparison.



Yep, very happy with Jammy right now!!

Kim

[legendrockranch]

Congratulations Kim, how rewarding it must be for you.

[hoperefuge]

Yes, it is Barb!  As I commented to zephyrhillsusan on another thread, this is my goal (at least one of them ), calm, adaptable girls who will milk well.

Kim

[zephyrhillsusan]

Very nice production for a first freshener, hoperefuge! And she sounds like she's going to be the nice, calm girl you want her to be. Congratulations! And of course the nice thing is that you're beginning Ruby's training already having her in the milking parlor with you, seeing and hearing the milker, etc.

[dexterchick]

nice cream line. how old is Jemmy? is this her first freshening? my dexter did not seem to let down much in her first freshening. this second go around i get an easy 1/2 gallon and still know there is more as i watch the calf have a milk party immediately after milking. but honestly i have a small family and do not use much more than that anyways and end up sharing it with friends or the piggies. and i love the lids on your jars? please post a link to the source.

[hoperefuge]

Jammy just turned 2, so yes, this is her first freshening.  That calf "milk party" is why I let them nurse at milking time, so the cow lets down & I get my full share (which is normally only one side of the udder) WITH the cream.

Here is a link to the reCap lids....I love them!  www.recapmasonjars.com/  Which reminds me, I need to order more of them too.

Kim

[cddexter]

Kim: well done, both of you.

If I remember my old wife's tales correctly, believe it or not, the cream comes down last. It's important to fully strip out the quarter....maybe try it and see if the cream increases

Cheers, c.

[hoperefuge]

Yes, I believe that's more than an old wives' tale, cddexter!  Most of the cream does come at the end.  One of these days, I'll separate her calf overnight & milk "for real" in the morning, and see what she really does.

Kim

[dexterchick]

i think the amount is great for first time (Dexter) freshener. i was struggling to get a half gallon on my first feshener last year. this year i was up to just shy of a gallon with the calf still on at night. her mother (who is 16!)gives an easy 1.5+ with oad milking, so hoping her daughter will eventually too. i did use the ca!f to stimulate let down last year but this year she seems more relaxed so not needed. i might get more milk, but.... easier to not.
thanks for the link to lids.

[hoperefuge]

Sounds like your girl is doing well, too dexterchick.

Kim