milking advice needed

Tabitha · #1 07/05/08, 11:12 AM

My Dexter, first time momma, is adamant about NOT being milked. she started out being gentle enough, I would put feed in front of her, tie her to a fencepost and proceed. It was hard going, as her nipple holes must be very small, compared to milking a quart from the goats and milking a quart from her it takes at least five times as long. I was hoping it would improve with milking, but it got worse. the calf only nurses the front nipples. I have not been able to milk her the last three days and her udder looks like she must be uncomfortable. still, she would rather starve than be milked. She was in heat last week, the bull was singing love songs across the pasture, then he jumped the fence. After that she was a changed cow. I don't see how it has anything to do with how she behaves at milking.Yet, she is not her former self anymore.
I am wondering if it hurts her to be milked? However, she really seems to object to be tied, though it means good feed, petting units, though she does not care to be petted. she will not stand still though without being tied, and being tied, she started prancing around and stepped on my hand the last time I tried to milk her. I hope someone has some advice. I am at my wits end. This is my first cow that I was so looking forward to.

Tabitha · #2 07/05/08, 11:15 AM

no, I don't think that she has mastititis, I always milked her out good, and the last time I tried it the udder did not feel any different. Not hot or swollen. could a vet help or would I waste my money?

Madsaw · #3 07/05/08, 12:39 PM

You could make a stanchion to put her in. This would give you more control of her then just being tied. Also you can see if the vet can give you oxytocin. This will make her let her milk down. Which might be a cause for you having a hard time milking her. Just give your vet a call and see if you can get a bottle from them.
Bob

Ronney · #4 07/06/08, 05:15 AM

Tabitha, she is a first calver and likely to be fiesty. She will be holding her milk back which is why you are having so much trouble getting anything out of her and why her udder is looking full. And yes, the fuller it becomes, the more tender it will become and the less happy she will be about you handling her.

What sort of routine have you got in place with regards to her calf? Are you separating during the day or leaving it run with her 24/24? Can you give a little more information on your daily routine with her and her calf?

I too would suggest looking at making a bale (stanchion) in the corner of a shed or barn that you can run her into and have a little more control over her movements. With first calvers I have no compunction about leg roping them so one hind leg is right off the ground which stops them from so much dancing around, kicking etc. You have to establish both the authority and the routine and sometimes, with some cows, it isn't so easy but it will come right. Once you have that established and milking becomes a pleasant thing for her, you will find let down will follow but don't expect it to happen overnight.

Bob, I'm sorry but I'm not in favour of using oxytocin in circumstances such as this. It is a short term fix and is not going to make the cow easier to handle even if it relieves the pressure on her udder.

Cheers,
Ronnie

Madsaw · #5 07/06/08, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronney

.

Bob, I'm sorry but I'm not in favour of using oxytocin in circumstances such as this. It is a short term fix and is not going to make the cow easier to handle even if it relieves the pressure on her udder.

Cheers,
Ronnie

I am just thinking of get teh cow emptyed out before matitis sets in from not being completly milked out. With oxytocin thats the way with less fight from the cow.
Bob

linn · #6 07/06/08, 09:43 AM

In my opinion, your best bet is to separate the cow and calf and turn your cow in with the calf, night and morning. You can milk the front quarters while the calf nurses out the back quarters. A stanchion makes milking a lot easier with first-calf heifers. Once they learn to stick their heads in the stanchion for grain, then you just lock them in and turn in the calf. Sooner or later we have always had to separate our milk cows from their calves as they start holding back the milk for the calf.

MikeParks · #7 07/06/08, 01:33 PM

When we first started milking our first cow she didn't like it either (would kick and such). She did end up with mastitis.

If the cow is sore at milking (and she may be getting mastitis if you haven't been able to milk her out each time) maybe try some bagbalm on the teats and your hands when milking (sounds odd but when our cow was having a lot of trouble it helped, kept the friction down and I guess was just more soothing to her). Of course you probably won't be able to drink the milk but it would hopefully get her used to the milking.

I would separate the calf and cow and only let them together for feeding. We didn't and it was a lot harder. The other problem we had was that the cow wouldn't let down as long as the calf was on her. After a few days of separation though she would drop like she should.

Ronney · #8 07/07/08, 06:13 AM

Bob, my apologies, you are quite right under the circumstances.

Cheers,
Ronnie

darbyfamily · #9 07/07/08, 07:56 AM

She is talking about a Dexter though, and they are not known for getting mastitis. In fact, I dont think I can recall ever reading about a case of mastitis on a Dexter. NOT that it does not happen, or cant, but I do think its quite rare.

I'd agree on the stanchion, or find yourself some hobbles and get her restrained well enough, then just get in there and go for it.

I know, with my Dex, once she noticed that I was not as likely to keep going after she kicked at me, she started kicking more. I had to just get past my nervousness/fear and just do it!

whiterabbit454 · #10 07/07/08, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tabitha

no, I don't think that she has mastititis, I always milked her out good, and the last time I tried it the udder did not feel any different. Not hot or swollen. could a vet help or would I waste my money?

i hope everything goes well for you and your dexter
i noticed your in kentucky what part are you in? and where if i might ask did you get a dexter milking cow i ask because by next year i want everything set up to have a milking cow and i would prefer having a small dexter
thanks

Tabitha · #11 07/09/08, 10:03 AM

white rabbit, I am in Hart County and we bought our cows from an old lady for whom it got too much. Her husband had a stroke.

she does let down the milk. I massage her udder a little, she does not mind that, but you have to squeeze the milk through a tiny opening. It wears me out. such a thin stream. I can maintain the stream for several seconds until the teat is empty. by contrast the goats I am milking have a big stream,it is a pleasure to milk them. I know we need a milking stand. but we are in the middle of barn building right now. we just had a shed and it is inconvenient. I keep the cow and calf in a paddock, then let the cow out into a pasture for the day. I have not milked her regularly, I can not do it by myself. Yesterday her milk was french vanilla colored. I feed the milk back to her. she likes that. thanks you all for your response. I have two other cows that have a calf by them right now, but did not bother trying to milk them as I figured I would have no need for so much milk.

linn · #12 07/09/08, 04:12 PM

Tabitha, it sounds like your cow is not fully letting down her milk for you. I milk my Dexter before turning in the calf. Sometimes when she is not letting down well, I turn the calf in while I milk. It is amazing how easily the milk comes out once her calf is nursing on the other side. She is easier to milk and the milk comes out in a much bigger stream. If you think she may have mastitis, get a "safe for milk cows" antibiotic from the vet.