Calf on the ground, milking advice, please!!

[tab]

Got a new gorgeous angus bull calf last night!!!!! I haven't forgotten how to deliver them, funny I don't remember being this sore years ago.......
Anyways, thought I had the milking issue figured out. Wrong. My most favorite vet came out snd she advised that with the udder my girl blossomed out with in the last two weeks that she would advise milking right away. The heifer is a jersey/angus cross and put a good sized baby out. Today she was leaking so I milked a pint or so off her. Calf has free acess. Please advise as to what works for you for oad milking. I know you aren't supposed to pull much off the first day or two so I will try to milk a bit more tonite. Never hand milked much so this is a learning curve for both of us. So far, we both still like each other ( grin ) .

[SpaceCadet12364]

You can always give it to the calf. or freeze and save for next calf or a bottle calf later.

[CJBegins]

Definitely freeze this first milk. Colostrum is priceless when you really need it. I would milk her out to the point of her udder being more relaxed. She may have some edema or lots of edema, only you will be able to tell but get the udder relaxed and not quite so heavy. Milk her twice a day, keeping the calf with her until it is able to drink a very large amount of milk and then you can separate over night for 12 hours and then milk in the mornings only.

Enjoy the good milk.

[tab]

I remember the dairy cows only getting milked very lightly the first day or two. How long should it be before she gets milked out fully? Will it hurt her if my hands cannot do a full milking? Not sure what they adapt to without getting mastitis.

[topside1]

Tab, sounds like you may want to employ someone else's hands too. If your new calf is drinking 1.5 gallons per day and your cow is producing 3.0 gallons per day, well I think you can see the problem. A cow can physiologically adjust and re-absorb some milk, but not that much. Come up with a quick solution or the cow may end up with a medical problem. This is the entire reason beef cattle are nearly maintenance free. They produce much less milk and relieve the owner of the milking burden. Unless a dairy breed has twins I'd be readying my hands to squeeze teats twice a day....Congrats on the calf, Topside

[Jennifer L.]

I never milk all the way out until the third milking. First milking is just enough to take the pressure off, so her udder has a little "give" to it instead of being tight. Second milking take a little more, but that would depend on how much the calf took, too. If the calf really cleaned her out, then it would be another light milking. Third time out you can most likely take all of the milk.

[tab]

Thanks for the replies. I tried to make sure there was some give to her udder, she has a lot of edema. The front quarters milk much more quickly and easier, think they are where the calf lands most of the time. I worked on her rear quarters mostly, one is starting to milk like the front, yeaaaah! The other rear quarter squirts towards the back and is slow. I think it is getting a smidge better. I spent an hour to get three quarts and decided I need a stool. Her milk is starting to look like what I remember grampa getting. How long before you folks drink it? Also, do you use a teat dip with the calf nursing? I don't want to use something that tastes so bad he doesn't nurse much. Sorry to be so stupid.

The heifer has been super, the only time she moved was to back up to pooh and pee. She very kindly did not do either on me! Do they normally get sore teats? I am trying to be as gentle as I can and still squeeze milk out. I am thinking if she's sore this could turn ugly.

[SpaceCadet12364]

If they start getting sore she will let you know just watch her feet she may kick. ounce you get them all flowing good it should go easier and less painful for all.. remember to give her a treat so she enjoy or tollerate more. collostrum is in first 3 days of milk then gone.

[tab]

I hope timing isn't critical yet. I milked this am and I was so bothered by the fact the one quarter did not milk well, went back out to try again. By the time we were done all quarters were better and it was another 3+ quarts for a total of about 5qts today. It still took about an hour but I feel better about her. I rubbed and gently pushed on the whole udder. She seemed to enjoy it. Didn't feel any hot spots. Will milk some more tonite. Will try to do it just twice tomorrow. Will have to get up extra early to have time before work.
Does this sound reasonable?
When does the calf pick up in eating? He is a big boy, almost as big as my 3 month old jersey, I checked. His mother is going to produce more than I thought for a beef cross so it is a good thing he is big.
I know I will have a milker before I go to a full blood jersey!

[SpaceCadet12364]

He will gradually drink more and more. So you may want to only milk once a day. That way it is easier on you and her.

[CJBegins]

I would empty that udder completely today at least once, probably twice and continue with that until the calf is taking much of the milk. After day 3 the colostrum should be gone and it should all be healthy milk.

If you think she is having a hard time releasing the milk, use hot wash cloths and massage the udder with them. That will feel good to her and she will let down for you. I am glad she is cooperative for you.

[tab]

I think I have emptied her udder, it is tough to tell as she still has a lot of edema. I took almost two gallons of milk total yesterday. This am one side seemed pretty empty, maybe the calf ate, he seems to favor the left side. I hope we are getting this. Don't want to sound stupid with this but I am trying to do this correctly! Milking time is getting better. Will do some rsearch on dips and washes that don't harm the calf.

[SpaceCadet12364]

one way I know to clean and not harm calf soap and warm to hot water. feels good too.