So happy I could cry...

[darbyfamily]

I got quite a bit more today...easily over half a cup and she still needed to be milked more, but she wasnt tied to the post and she ran out of sweet feed and I just didnt feel like fighting her, so I turned baby loose to finish the job for me A little at a time.

Such a sweet cow.. here's a good picture of her, then the milk...



This is the jar before I put todays milk in... two days worth of milk in there.. ROFL



And this is AFTER todays milking... WOOOOOHOOOO!!!!





Yeah, I know, still not enough for a family with 8 kids... but hey, its progress! Definitely progress!!!

[matt_man]

If you let her get away with you letting her loose because she's putting up a fuss, you will never get any more milk. You are teaching her that if she fusses, she will get whatever she wants. You need to be the one in charge not her.

Treat her like you would one of your toddlers who are throwing a fit; you wouldn't let them get away with it, would you?

Tie her up and make her stand there and get milked. It will only be tough for the first few days; then she should get the hint and let you milk her.

Rachel

[Mickey]

I really agree Jen that's it's important to establish a constant routine and schedule for milking. Make sure you have her secured before starting to milk so she'll come to understand that she can't walk away. Having a consistent routine that your animals can count on builds trust, and helps them to learn what is expected of them.
Good luck :-)
Mickey

[darbyfamily]

I should have gone back for the lead rope to secure her, but heres how it goes...

I got out to the shop, took my pail and wash bucket out to the shelter, hung them on nails up high so I could go back and get sweet feed... by the time I got back to the shelter she was circling and watching for me and walks very close to my side nudging me and looking for the sweet feed. i carry it at shoulder height so she cant get her nose into it... well, once I got out there and realized I'd forgotten the rope, the only way to go back for it was to take the feed WITH me, or she'd have it half gone by the time I got back...
But she would have followed me nearly in my pocket back to the shop to get it if I went back, so I decided I could just do without

Maybe I need a shelf out in the cows shelter on the inside above the door that I can put the lead rope and brush and things on so that I dont have to go back and forth for them

still working out a routine that works well for us... but trying to be consistent in the meantime.

and Rachel (or Matt?) Dh had to laugh at your comment about toddlers... normally when mine throw a fit I walk away and leave them to it. It gets them nothing, but I dont dignify it with a response either. that wont work well with the cow I guess

[Mickey]

I remember a few episodes like that Jen, LOL With each mistake comes knowledge. Just don't give up. Before you know it you and Spring will have it all sorted out:-)
Mickey

[matt_man]

I would just pound in a few more nails to hang things like your lead rope etc.. and put up a shelf where you can keep other things close. The fewer trips back and forth, the better.

I highly recommend building a stanchion rather than just tying her. It will keep her more secure.

LOL about the toddlers. I don't let mine pitch a fit. They get immediate discipline and behavior correction.

Your just getting into the swing of things and soon you'll get into a routine that works well; just be consistent when it comes to the cow. It might help to find a way to store her feed close to the area where you milk. Make sure there is no way she can get into it. That will keep her from trying to tackle you for it out in the pasture. I also smack noses when I bring out treats and somebody is being a little too pushy.

Rachel

[darbyfamily]

And todays picture.... the jar is nearly full! Tomorrow it will be full and I'll have to start a new one, unless kids use some of this!