Gettin Jersey, I think!!

[Bubbas Boys]

So, after looking all over since Late winter, we found a 5 year old Jersey that is going to calf in about 3 weeks. We know only what we have read online and this forum. We are kinda freaking out even though we are really excited. Looking for tips for newbies. Like, how does getting her milk for us and the calf having also work? How much grain and hay should she need? We are going to look at her tomorrow morning, what questions should we ask? Thanks.

[gone-a-milkin]

This is an old thread but it has a lot of good things to consider.
Good luck.

Arm me with the right questions??

[Seth]

Ask what her name is. You don't want to offend her. Seth


Good luck and congrats.

[Bubbas Boys]

HAHA! Thanks Seth I will.. I have been reading that you should pull baby and bottle feed. Is this a requirement to get milk right away? Thanks

[gone-a-milkin]

Separating the calf does have its advantages.

You will know if the calf is consuming milk or not.

You will know when the cows udder is completely milked out or not.

The cow will let down her milk for you rather than holding it back to feed her calf.

Because you are milking her twice a day (at least) you will see very quickly if her udder is injured or if she has mastitis.

As the calf gets bigger it consumes more and more of the milk.
They do not 'need' all the milk a Jersey cow will provide,
the milk could perhaps be used to better advantage in your milk bucket.

A calf can be hard on that udder.
They pick their 'favorite' quarter or 2 quarters and nurse only those if they have the option.
They hammer the udder with their hard heads and they have sharp bottom teeth that can do damage too.



I know their are those who successfully share milk with calves and I will let them tell you about how that works for them.
I don't personally recommend it, from my own experiences.

[Bubbas Boys]

Ok great. Thank you for the info. So, at the risk of sounding dumb, do you want to milk her out completely every time?

[gone-a-milkin]

Yes, you do want to milk her out completely every time.
You don't have to get every single little drop, but you want to be emptying the udder.

[mrs whodunit]

What we do is separate the calf at night and milk the next morning. The calf then has momma all day long. This way we dont have to be picky about milking her out.

It works wonderfully.... once a day milking and plenty of milk.

I cow sit for my friend in return for free milk. She brings the cow, calf and hay and I milk and care for the cow at my place if its going to be over 3 days.

This system work wonderfully for about 5 years with 3 different cows.

The crazy thing is the cow knows my routine and how I milk her which is tied to the side of the horse trailer. Friend had her stanchion area as an emergency pen one day and so thought she would do the same set up I do... same trailer and everything. Cow said that was a no go. LOL

[momagoat61]

Sounds very exciting, but please read and learn about milk fever, I say this because I had to deal with milk fever issues early this past Sunday morning after one of our cowes calved on Friday evening came down with milk fever over night Saturday, we raise beef cattle and calf out 45 to 50 each year and this cow that calved on Friday this was her 3 calf and she was raised here on our farm but her mother never had a problem but her mother didn't give the amount of milk that this cow does and we kinda figured she might have a problem and she did, but we keep on hand liquid cal and gel cal and we were able to get her back on her feet within an hr or so. We gave her two bottles of the liquid cal Sub Q and two tubes of the gel cal and she has done great all this week no more problems. Ask the owner about milk fever and learn what will need to be done if the problem should arrise, for a newbie and can be scary and you will need a vet if you don't have on hand whats needed or you don't know how to do what is needed. Learn before and its not as scary when something like milk fever come up.

[Bubbas Boys]

Well, we went to look at her and we going to pass. She was really rough in our view. We are very new but didn't like what we saw. She had most of her back hair around the shoulders was totally gone. One hip was low and the other high ( he said she walked ok). The Amish fellow told me over the phone she was tame and she was FAR from tame. He could not even walk up to her. When I asked her age he said not really sure but probably about 5. Not at all how we want to start. We will keep looking.

[myheaven]

Very wise to pass.

[Awnry Abe]

Good pass.

On the "separate the calf or not" choice, I'm in the "yank 'em" camp. Did it the first time this spring with two. It was easy. The cows got over it pretty quick, and the calves are more annoying than bottle-fed anything.

[moohorn]

I think a first time milker may want to consider leaving the calf on. There is a lot to learn with having a cow and a calf can give a slight buffer. Jersey cows produce way more then a one calf can consumer. You have to milk her out depending on her supply for months before your calf is old enough to do it. If you are hand milking it takes time to build up your muscles. Some people recommend getting a goat to practice how to milk and build your hands. Or offer to help a neighbor. My son and I would sit in the pasture for hours initially trying to get our cow milked out. We were not fast enough to get the milk out during let down so would take forever. I would line up support, mentors, and information ahead of time that you can call on if needed. 7 years later we still have a milk cow and I love it! I also milk a sheep and goats but there is something very special about the cow besides the liquid gold that she produces. Oh- Also build a stantion right away!