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dkriley47
17 Posts
Kayleigh
Rushville
OH
United states
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 Posted - May 06 2017 : 09:59:12 AM
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You all are so helpful! I am milking once a day, she calved on Monday late afternoon. The quarters that were a little thick were yellow like colostrum. (Also what day do you drink the milk?) I had some after day 3. I have been massaging her quarters but not with warm water so il try that. When little Bucky May (girl has some whoppers of some teeth and was born May 1) comes right next to me milking she lets down, but that Downey happen often. This morning the calf wasn't in site (in the barn) I just couldn't get her to let down much and I know I'm milking her correctly. She didn't want to eat her grain I gave her the whole time. She didn't really even want to come in for milking. I have milked bn 730 and 8 am every am. Offer her grain to catch her and give her some in chute. It's been slightly cold her 50s to 30s at night and wet. Last night was the first night since she calved I put her to pasture.
So how long do I wait before I have to do oxytocin? I will try the warm water tmrw. I totally understand this is all new to her and me so hoping by end of next week will be better. She had been in chute several times before calving and I have given her treats when she is in there.
What kind of calf break schedule are you thinking ? Was going to try and halter the calf next week and get her used to it. Thank you |
Kay Riley |
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NellieBelle
11217 Posts
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Posted - May 06 2017 : 10:30:11 AM
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| Hi Kay. You have your hands full don't you? I had more questions than you when my first cow calved. When washing her with warm water, be sure it's pretty warm, I mean so she can feel the warmth. Not lukewarm, but not really hot. It's amazing how well it works. Just curious, did she clean up okay, pass the placenta, afterbirth okay. Does she have a elevated temperature? Could you possible share a photo of her udder? If she has and excess amount of udder edema that may be causing problems too. Do you have any cream to apply after milking like, Dynamint, to help reduce the swelling. There are other products that address this too. Sure helps in such cases. |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
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dkriley47
17 Posts
Kayleigh
Rushville
OH
United states
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Posted - May 06 2017 : 12:41:42 PM
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| I will get a picture of her udder tmrw. It does feel like there is more in there. I was her teats off with warm soap and water and do Mary Janes process from her book. So I will try using the warm water to massage her tnrw. I moved her to a better paddock of grass today too. Yes she passed everything fine, I think they get hunched up if they don't, correct me if I'm wrong. Will give an update tmrw! Thanks so much and this milk is so sweet and amazing! |
Kay Riley |
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dkriley47
17 Posts
Kayleigh
Rushville
OH
United states
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Posted - May 06 2017 : 3:06:19 PM
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| So I am checking on her tonight and her rear left quarter is red 😩 what is the best thing to do ? |
Kay Riley |
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dkriley47
17 Posts
Kayleigh
Rushville
OH
United states
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Posted - May 06 2017 : 3:49:24 PM
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I know these aren't great it started pouring again for the third time today |
Kay Riley |
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dkriley47
17 Posts
Kayleigh
Rushville
OH
United states
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Posted - May 06 2017 : 4:57:30 PM
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| So I milked her out again tonight, about got a little over a quart again. When he would stop I would massage her with warm water she seemed to like that an I would get another 12 squirts. Then I would go back to the other side and she would let down a little bit more. Here is after milking pics. |
Kay Riley |
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dkriley47
17 Posts
Kayleigh
Rushville
OH
United states
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Posted - May 06 2017 : 5:00:42 PM
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.jpg?v 82704506) .jpg?v 464241) .jpg?v 69746620) |
Kay Riley |
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txbikergirl
3197 Posts
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Posted - May 06 2017 : 6:10:35 PM
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i know that when i wasn't getting as much milk as i thought i should be getting, and this is the less experienced farmgirl talking here, i milked twice a day for the second week or so. i felt like the first few days was just colostrum and milk was taking its time to really come in - and then i started milking twice a day until i started getting at least 1.5 gallons each morning. i did wait 7 days or so to drink it, only because i didn't have a clue what i was doing ;>
bea also did go through a phase where she decided she didn't want to eat in the parlor, and it was early on, but after a few days or maybe a week that resolved itself and she started eating a ton ;> to assist with this i also stopped feeding her in the morning (my cows have access to pasture and dry hay 24/7). i feed them all a bit of chaffhaye and grain in the barn twice per day - and my milking momma gets a super sized version, but the morning feeding is 100% given in the parlor. that way she is motivated to come to the parlor, motivated to relax and ignore me, and motivated to stay as long as needed...
i don't have my calf in the parlor at all, i don't want them to get in the habit of letting down with them then battle without them... but then, perhaps i haven't had a cow with true let down issues and i have just been lucky.
i do know that if i change even ONE thing in my routine it can change everything... so i just try to change one thing at a time and go with that a few days to see how it really pans out with her.
i am a huge fan of dr sarahs products, so i use those. she has a nice udder oil that i use to massage - and it really helped with edema post calving. called "protect her". i don't reference them to convince you that any product will solve your woes, just to give you something to look at so perhaps you can find an oil or something in your existing supply that you can massage into the udder. https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Sarahs-Essentials-LLC/b/ref=bl_dp_s_web_11890247011?ie=UTF8&node=11890247011&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=Dr.+Sarah%27s+Essentials%2C+LLC maryjane just massaged with vitamin e oil recently, not sure if she mixed it with anything else, and that also helped edema.... anything that can help edema can surely just be a wonderful massage product to relax her.
i do use dynamint like everyone else here, but for me that is a 9 month post milking udder treatment as not only does it keep the udder soft but it acts as a fly repellent. but my true fave udder treatment is the dr sarahs savvy and i use that when i can get away with not using dynamint (being in the south means warm winters and flies 9 months per year).
i hope even one thing i have written is helpful. its hard to know what to do at times. i can also tell you that i feel bea's udder is too full even after getting 1.5-2 gallons in the morning and nothing else will drip out, but i just look at her teats - they all become all shriveled and tiny and nothing else in them to come out. so i just go with that.... but perhaps with let down issues you can have a bulging udder and shriveled up teats?
blessings from east texas.
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_(199x300)_(66x100).jpg?v 93697001) Firefly Hollow Farm , our little farmstead. Farmgirl living in the green piney woods of East Texas on 23 acres with a few jerseys, too many chickens, a pair of pugs and my Texan hubby (aka "lover boy") |
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txbikergirl
3197 Posts
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Posted - May 06 2017 : 6:14:20 PM
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| kay i also wanted to tell you how beautiful your farm looks, and your cow and calf look lovely. thanks for sharing photos, love to see those. |
Firefly Hollow Farm , our little farmstead. Farmgirl living in the green piney woods of East Texas on 23 acres with a few jerseys, too many chickens, a pair of pugs and my Texan hubby (aka "lover boy") |
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txbikergirl
3197 Posts
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Posted - May 06 2017 : 6:18:04 PM
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regarding the red quarter, obviously that is your biggest issue. testing for mastitis, bathing and milking, and i suppose if nothing comes out then it needs to be treated asap - and the other girls will be your resource with that.
one thing, i have had a rear quarter that was red only because of "chub rub" in the back. but you are much more experienced with cows than i am so i would think you would notice that if it was the case. those bulging udders sure take a beating from the legs.
Also if calf is favoring one side can you tie momma to a fence somewhere and make the other side accessible so baby will take from that side so you can ensure it is getting emptied? to make this happen it obviously helps separating baby/momma for a few hours so when you put then together baby is motivated to consume milk asap and make the effort to use their non-favorite teats. |
Firefly Hollow Farm , our little farmstead. Farmgirl living in the green piney woods of East Texas on 23 acres with a few jerseys, too many chickens, a pair of pugs and my Texan hubby (aka "lover boy") |
Edited by - txbikergirl on May 06 2017 6:19:40 PM |
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NellieBelle
11217 Posts
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Posted - May 07 2017 : 12:01:09 AM
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| From your photos, (thanks, that really helps), her udder doesn't look that extreme. But I'm only able to see the photos. It's much easier to know what to do when it's your own cow, as we are familiar with each cows udder and the changes. If I'm really concerned or start second guessing myself, call the vet, or have him/her check it out. Truly hope Scarlett improves with each passing day. Thanks for sharing Kay. |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
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dkriley47
17 Posts
Kayleigh
Rushville
OH
United states
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Posted - May 07 2017 : 06:48:28 AM
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So, she really didn't want to come in today even for corn. (Maybe will have to get a better treat than just some non gmo shelled corn) she did eat better in stanchion today. Still only got a pint but she felt softer and teets were shriveled when done. So maybe that's what I'm going to get for now. I had a thin droplet of mucus to that left rear quarter in mastitis test. Gave her some vit c and massage but feels less hard and warm. I did see calf nurse all 4 quarters afterwards. Someone advise me best time to give her a break from calf. They just bawled for eachother this morning, but kids and I got some calf love in that time.
Also I'm wanting to get rubber mats, suggestions ? And thank you all from the bottom of my heart for taking time to help me on this forum. I've been Doing so much praying over this, I want this healthy milk for my family. I don't want to give up. You all are ao kind and helpful. The book and this forum are awesome! Thank you for the compliments on my farm. It's a work in progress but love the hills out here. Trying to save up $$ for that milk house. So I'm low pasteurizing my milk Bc it's not the cleanest and maybe the mastitis coming on. |
Kay Riley |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - May 07 2017 : 06:52:50 AM
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| I'm hoping things are better today Kay. The learning curve with your first cow can be steep when that first calf comes. If you think she has mastitis, you should make that your top priority. Is she still giving colostrum? If the milk is no longer so yellow, you should consider a gel test a good indicator of how those quarters are doing, especially the red one. Have you heard of Today? It's good for mastitis and requires two separate injections into the teat orifice of the infected quarter 24 hours apart with a 96 hour milk withdrawal (can't use the milk until 96 hours passes). Talk to your vet about it. Today is sold over the counter in my local feed store as single units ready to go. They're very easy to use. Check to make sure you're grabbing a couple that aren't expired. It's a simple and easy way to head off a full-blown case of mastitis. If your cow is fussing when you try to inject it (it's important to keep everything very sterile), you can flank rope her per the instructions in my book in order to get the job done. Also, Vit. C and hot packs help. I have a buckwheat hull/lavender pillow I heat up in a microwave that I use on sensitive udders. (I sewed a pillow case for mine so I can launder them afterward.) Also, towels dipped into hot water like the others have suggested is a comfort to not only your cow but you. Hang in there! Your cow's udder looks good--nice hand milking teats for sure. With my first time milkers, I've always been mighty grateful for my side rail. It's gotten me over many a rough spot. |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - May 07 2017 : 06:57:51 AM
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| Good to hear from you Kay and that things seem better (we were posting at the same time). If it were me, I'd continue with some separation (good bonding for your calf as a future milk cow) and twice per day milking for a while until everything settles down. That's great that your calf went for all four quarters. You'll get there. Good job so far! |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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txbikergirl
3197 Posts
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Posted - May 07 2017 : 10:06:18 AM
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just wanted to pop in and send kay some blessings from east texas - i am hoping today is looking better cow/milk wise.
also remember milk production keeps working itself up to the max from day one to 7 weeks - i wasn't feeling great about bea's milk earlier this year as i thought it just flushed in 100% after a few days and i should be milking 1-2 gallons from day one onward ;> just like you i had a million and one questions over the past few years and everyone on hjo has been so responsive and thoughtful. |
Firefly Hollow Farm , our little farmstead. Farmgirl living in the green piney woods of East Texas on 23 acres with a few jerseys, too many chickens, a pair of pugs and my Texan hubby (aka "lover boy") |
Edited by - txbikergirl on May 07 2017 10:07:12 AM |
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