New Jersey heifer calf question

CollieFlowerWV · #1 04/29/11, 07:30 PM

My hubby got me a registered Jersey calf for my birthday/mother's day present. I am so excited. What I want to know is: should I train her to halter so I can milk her when she is ready or not? She is five months old. Born on the day that "Sweet Pea" drowned in our pond. I was training Sweet and she was eight months old. But this one's a cutie, too, like most Jersey's. I did pick out a dark colored Jersey-so she wouldn't look too much like Sweet. So getting back to the question: Should I halter train her? And seeing she is a little older than the one I had previously started is there a way to bond with her?
Thanks,

Jennifer L. · #2 04/29/11, 10:24 PM

I would, if you have the time. At the very least, handle her a lot, touch her udder area, legs, etc., so she doesn't worry too much when she finally freshens. A cow that does what you want is a real treat.

You have a good hubby!

Jennifer

CollieFlowerWV · #3 04/30/11, 07:41 AM

Thanks Jennifer, I will do that, I just wasn't sure if there was anything different to do. My other calf was only a few days old when we got her-she would follow me around everywhere I would go. I was able to pull her trough a bad scours time in the beginning. I think I bonded with her more than the other way around;-)

topside1 · #4 04/30/11, 08:36 AM

I don't know about "New Jersey" calves, but calves from other states can be trained in no time....Listen to Jennifer, good advice...Topside

CollieFlowerWV · #5 04/30/11, 08:42 AM

sorry about the post I was meaning new "Jersey" calf. Sorry about the confusion. I forgot about the state;-)

PKBoo · #6 04/30/11, 11:55 AM

Our Jersey was 6 months old when we got her and had never been haltered. She learned in no time at all. Now we halter her every day when we take her out to pasture and back

Have fun!

RoyalValley · #7 05/03/11, 10:12 PM

Yep, just start doing it if you intend on milking her one day. Or even if you don't. It's so nice to have her just come up to you and want some loves. Love that about our 3 month old Jersey/Brown Swiss baby. She seeks me out!

CollieFlowerWV · #8 05/04/11, 08:17 AM

Thank you everyone who replied. I'm hoping to, one day, feel close to her like I did Sweet. Don't get me wrong, I do love and care for her. I just don't feel quite the same. Maybe things will change when I name her. Since she is on the darker side for her color, I was thinking of Cider. I'll go and see how it fits. Again, thank you.