Heifer question...

thequeensblessing · #1 10/23/11, 07:38 AM

We have a 14 month old Jersey heifer that we want to breed next month. She's a nice size and great conformation. We've been putting her in the stantion and handling her and touching her udder in an effort to get her ready and comfortable with milking in the future. We've noticed that when lightly massaging her teats, she leaks a little fluid that looks like watery milk.
What is this, and is it normal? She's not bred yet and has never been with a bull at all. She comes in heat regularly.
Thanks in advance!

Chixarecute · #2 10/23/11, 11:24 AM

I think it is probably normal to leak a bit when being massaged, HOWEVER that means the teat canal opens up, and if fluid can get out, bacteria can get in. (do you dip her teats afterward? Iodine base is a common, gentle sanitizer.) I would not massage her udder or teats, but make sure she is comfortable with touching around the flank area, up and down the rear legs, and the belly before the udder. She sounds pretty gentle, and regular calm handling will build the trust you want.

thequeensblessing · #3 10/23/11, 01:56 PM

We don't do any real massage, per se. I call it that for lack of a better word. She was very skittish when we bought her and we've had her for several months and we've really tamed her down. We handle her udder, not every day, just once a week or so, and only for a few seconds, just to get her used to the feeling. She's totally fine with it, but ever since we first started doing this a couple of months ago, we've noticed this little leakage. It's not like we milk it out of her or really get in there and masage her. I only used that word for lack of a better one.
But thanks for your response! I hope you're right and it's just a normal reaction to being touched. I've never seen this in a heifer before. We do use a teat dip on her, more to get her used to the idea than anything else. That dip can be cold! But she's fine with it all. Thank you again!

JDog1222 · #4 10/23/11, 06:18 PM

I had the same problem with my heifer after she got bred. I started giving her grain, getting her use to coming in the barn and being handled. I noticed that her bag started to enlarge and the teats started to elongate. I pulled on one and out came some watery white stuff. I was thinking O CRUD we had a bull here about 9 months ago!

I thought SOME how, SOME way, I must have missed something! BUT, a bull had just bred her 3 weeks prior.

I was concerned and wondering if I should be watching for a calf, or is this just due to being bred and hormonal changes. No one really knew.

I stopped messing with the teats for fear she should get an infection. NOW, I’m maybe wondering if a lot of heifers do do this, but most people just don’t mess with their animals and get to know them as much as WE do!