burnt_umber
Member
- Joined
- May 5, 2008
- Messages
- 17
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Hi Folks-
Got our first family milk cow this spring- she was milking when we got her but didn't know for how long she'd been milking. She increased production soon after we acquired her and peaked at 3 gal. per day up til recently.
We put a calf on her about 3 months ago. He's loose with her all the time. But when we want milk, we pen him for 12 hours, milk her, and let him out. He's been nursing her very thoroughly - we check her udder twice every day. We milk her about 4 times a week, I'd say, depending on the neighbors' and our friends' requests
I've noticed a decrease in her production this past week or so. Tonight after milking her, I noticed she was kicking at the calf after I let him out when he tried to nurse. He soon gave up without a fuss. She's weaning him I guess.
So... What's going on ? Is she weaning him b/c she's drying up? Or b/c it's just "time" to wean him.
Why is she producing less?
If I start milking her twice daily again will she continue to dry down- or will her production stay where it is now?
Thanks!
Got our first family milk cow this spring- she was milking when we got her but didn't know for how long she'd been milking. She increased production soon after we acquired her and peaked at 3 gal. per day up til recently.
We put a calf on her about 3 months ago. He's loose with her all the time. But when we want milk, we pen him for 12 hours, milk her, and let him out. He's been nursing her very thoroughly - we check her udder twice every day. We milk her about 4 times a week, I'd say, depending on the neighbors' and our friends' requests
I've noticed a decrease in her production this past week or so. Tonight after milking her, I noticed she was kicking at the calf after I let him out when he tried to nurse. He soon gave up without a fuss. She's weaning him I guess.
So... What's going on ? Is she weaning him b/c she's drying up? Or b/c it's just "time" to wean him.
Why is she producing less?
If I start milking her twice daily again will she continue to dry down- or will her production stay where it is now?
Thanks!