Our Jersey/Short-horn/Holstein cross heifer had her 1st Calf Friday morning (3 days ago). We attempted 1st time milking about 8-9 hours later, but achieved only about 1 cup of output total (calve had been nursing off and on)...next attempt (15 hours later?) - we only got about 2 or 3 cups --- calf having had her free run all the time. We've gone down 3 times since (2) mornings and 1 evening
- yet we still only got about 1 quart before she was stripped dry.
Each of these times when we did the milking the Bag appeared to be large (though not anywhere nearly as large a bag as our previous milk cow--which had had 3 calves already) and certain of the teats were dripping milk...we assumed she had quite a bit let down - but not the case...she again only gave about 1 quart this last time (one of teats had been streaming milk when we went to milk her out)...
The Mother and the calf both seem healthy and fine...calf is very active and looking much better than she did at birth (small and thin at birth). The Cow shows no signs of fever nor mastitis symptoms. Bag is still firm and large when we are done stripping her out ---- but not hard.
We've NEVER dealt with a first-time heifer calving before ----- so we don't exactly know what kind of production to expect from her...nor how much to expect to get if we are allowing the calf to have free-say with nursing.
Appreciate any info can be given. -Thanks
- yet we still only got about 1 quart before she was stripped dry.
Each of these times when we did the milking the Bag appeared to be large (though not anywhere nearly as large a bag as our previous milk cow--which had had 3 calves already) and certain of the teats were dripping milk...we assumed she had quite a bit let down - but not the case...she again only gave about 1 quart this last time (one of teats had been streaming milk when we went to milk her out)...
The Mother and the calf both seem healthy and fine...calf is very active and looking much better than she did at birth (small and thin at birth). The Cow shows no signs of fever nor mastitis symptoms. Bag is still firm and large when we are done stripping her out ---- but not hard.
We've NEVER dealt with a first-time heifer calving before ----- so we don't exactly know what kind of production to expect from her...nor how much to expect to get if we are allowing the calf to have free-say with nursing.
Appreciate any info can be given. -Thanks