When I returned from my trip to California, I was amazed at what two weeks' difference made in our Jersey heifer Maggie. Before, I sometimes wondered if she was even pregnant since she stayed aggravatingly slim. Now, there is no doubt.
I mean, look at that udder! It's not "bagged up" yet (which indicates birth is close), but it's developing along those lines.
Before I left for my trip, her udder wasn't even well-defined. Now it's almost milkable.
We estimate Maggie is due to calve in late May, probably over Memorial Day weekend-ish. I'll give the new calf unrestricted access for the first week or so, until the colostrum stage is passed, and then I'll start training Maggie to milk. She's a friendly soul and I don't anticipate any problems. And wow, it will be good to have fresh milk and have the means for making butter and cheese again.
City girl here. So....she births a calf and then you milk her shortly after? Is there enough to milk her and nourish the calf? (I'm sorry, folks, I know nothing but I'm curious.)
ReplyDeleteCows will adjust their lactation output to accommodate the need. If Maggie has two demands on her (the calf and us), she'll adjust her output accordingly. A cow's lactation peaks about one month post-partum and then begins a slow and gradual descent, so if Maggie is already used to two demands (us and her calf), her peak will be higher.
DeleteWe'll only be milking once a day, anyway. We'll begin separating the calf at night when it's about a week old, then milking Maggie in the mornings. After that, the calf will stay on Maggie the rest of the day without restraint. We've found this is less stressful and far healthier for both cow and calf, less work on us, and gives us plenty of milk as well. Plus, if there's a reason we have to be away (say, on an overnight trip), then we just keep the calf on the mother for that night.
- Patrice
Jerseys produce higher butter fat milk than Holstein cows. A very economical bred, for a small farm.
DeleteThanks, Patrice. It makes sense now. After all, human mothers adjust their milk production based on demand, too.
DeleteIs Maggaie an A2-A2 Jersey? Much healthier for you if she is!
ReplyDeleteFor example see
https://downacowtrail.com/2020/02/14/a2-a2-milk-what-it-is-and-why-you-need-it/
Snowbird
Yes. We were deliberately looking for an A2-A2 Jersey, and found one in Maggie.
Delete- Patrice
Why dont you start training her for milking now? Or immediately when she came? Of course not really milking, since there isnt any, but get her really used to you touchig her udder. Wouldnt it make more sense to train her BEFORE she is protective for her baby?
ReplyDeleteOh, we have. She loves to be brushed, so I'll brush my way down to her udder and handle all her equipment. But she's not used to being locked in a milking stall (since we don't have one built), and that's what we'll have to train her to do ... once it's built.
ReplyDelete- Patrice