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Finelittlefarm
5 Posts
Cristy
Dove Creek
CO
USA
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 Posted - Jun 10 2018 : 6:10:26 PM
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I have a 5 year old Jersey cow up for re-homing. Millie has had three calves, no losses or issues. Sweet, curious, and somewhat shy personality until she gets to know you. She is used to being the Queen on the Farm, a warm stall, a routine, and overseeing all the activities on the farm.
She is gentle to lead and tie. She is trained to hot (electric) wire and does not challenge fences. She is an excellent mother.
Millie produces 4 gallons a day at peak lactation, 2 in the am and 2 in the pm. This can go up if she is on really rich hay. All 4 quarters are healthy and producing. She does have 6th teats, which is an oddity but my vet recommended to leave them alone each time she comes in to milk and let them dry up. It's been no problem at all.
To milk her, I come into her stall and put her halter on. I ties her loosely to the fence. No restraints or hobbles, no stanction or head catch. I wash her udder with warm soapy water and then disinfect with a gentle iodine spray. I have hand-milked her only.
To be honest, my family does not use much milk and so my routine has been to only milk on quarter (I milk from her left side) and let the calf have the rest. This gives my family a half gallon of fresh milk every day and produces a very, very fat, happy calf. She is separated from her calf at night and does not bawl or carry on in the morning. I do not milk her on a rigid routine, and she is very patient. I milk somewhere between 7-9 am and pm. If I am busy or lazy I just leave the calf on her.
I am re-homing her because, as mentioned above, our family does not go through that much milk. I have a little Dexter cow who seems to better fit our milk needs and she is smaller to keep, and has been with us from the start (our first cow). Millie does not overwinter well with the Dexter herd. She needs a traditional stall where we live (at 7400 ft). Also, I would love to see her in a home with pasture, where she would benefit a family that could use a loving, productive milk cow.
She has never vaccinated for Bangs as a heifer so I have her tested yearly. Always negative. I also test her for TB. She is up to date with everything.
She is currently in milk, but not yet bred. I plan to have her turned out with a bull this month and into July. She due to cycle this coming week.
When she came to me, she was unhandled and nervous to milk. I spent a lot of time with her, loving her and showing her what I wanted. I think she is a wonderful cow. I do not think she would make a great cow for an absolute beginner because I had an inexperienced friend come milk for me one time and Millie stood for about 30 minutes, with her grain to eat, and then she became impatient and thought it should be over and began to step around a bit. My poor friend was fumbling and only had a few cups of milk in the pail! So I think Millie would do best matched up with a confident Milk Maid.
I would like to think of this as a re-homing, rather than selling. I would like someone to come visit her, try milking, get to know her. I have a neighbor with a lovely B &B where you could stay while checking Millie out - have a mini vacation in the country!
My email is cristyjenkins8@gmail.com and my cell number is 970-570-0095. If you feel called to visit Millie, please contact me so I can tell you more about her!
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Edited by - Finelittlefarm on Jun 18 2018 12:44:58 PM |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Jun 11 2018 : 4:45:20 PM
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Such a nice write-up Cristy! I hope you're able to re-home her. Don't get discouraged if it takes a while. I recently found homes for five of mine. It took a while, but in the end, they went to wonderful homes.
What state do you live in? |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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Finelittlefarm
5 Posts
Cristy
Dove Creek
CO
USA
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Posted - Jun 12 2018 : 8:34:22 PM
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Thanks for the encouragement, Mary Jane!
I live in the 4 corners area of Colorado, near Utah. However, I would be willing to deliver this good cow to the right home. We are in no hurry to sell her, but I feel she may be more useful to another, more serious milk family.
Cristy |
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