Have I mentioned that Maybelle’s been holding back her milk? Have I mentioned how frustrating that is? She is one stubborn cow. This morning, her udder was hard as a rock, full of milk. Any nursing mama knows exactly what I mean. Twenty minutes on the suction milking machine and another ten trying to coax the milk down by hand and still no milk. Finally, I let the calf out of her stall. I let that calf out and then I sat right back down and went back to milking. Oh, that little cow, she butted her head right in between Maybelle’s legs and she started suckling on that rear teat and suddenly the milk was flowing! I milked the other two for all I was worth, dodging kicks and redirecting an eager little mouth, and in just a few minutes, I had pulled over three quarts. It was a pretty wild milking session, mostly because the calf was not in the most opportune position, I think, but it is now perfectly clear what’s going on. We had the two separated for a couple of days, but weather prompted us to put a hold on the weaning. I really wish there was a way for us all to get along. She’s obviously a good mama, but I really want my milk. And for the record, that was the most fun I’ve had milking in a long time. I lost half my bucket when she kicked it over, and I got kicked myself – no harm done – but I like milking when there’s milk to be milked!
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This may be TMI, but I relate to Maybelle– that was the only way I could ever pump. We nicknamed the Medela breast pump “The Rival” because Alex would nurse and glower at it.
Not too much info, Betsy. We’re mostly women here, all in different stages of our lives, but women none the less. And very understanding and loving women to boot. If you ask me, this is the nicest place on the internet.
Poor Maybelle, and poor Cooper family. She’s been through it before, though. You haven’t. I was just thinking that they should have an FFA for adults. There are so many things I need to learn before I start my farm.
The county extension agent is a fount of knowledge, and so are the local neighbors.
‘Course, there’s still quite a learning curve. Obviously.
I hope Maybelle cooperates soon. If my dad was still alive I’d ask him for advice for you. We had a cow almost the whole time I was growing up and my dad milked for dairy farms a lot. I’m sure your neighbors will be a help too.
I also feel for Maybelle…I never had any luck with a breast pump. hehe….Hope she is more cooperative soon!
I’m not a cow person, and I know what she’s there for…but maybe give them another week or two. All babies become more interested in food other than milk eventually, and then she’ll be more than happy to give up the milk. It sounds like through a little trial and error you might have stumbled onto something…milking at the same time as she’s nursing the calf, at least for a wee bit it might be better than her holding back and risking infection from all the engorgement.
Just my thoughts…from one who only wishes she had a cow in the back yard, lol.
She’s got no problem with engorgement. That calf is taking care of all that milk. Which isn’t to say she NEEDS to, she just is.
Tandem milking isn’t a very good idea, though. It’s quite a bit more dangerous than milking needs to be. I’d read that this was possible, both calf and family sharing the cow, but Maybelle is too stubborn. Lesson learned. Future calves will be bottle fed once they get the colostrum into their systems.
Maybelle is young. This is her second calf. Maybe an older cow wouldn’t mind so much. Anyway, the neighbors tell me that calves don’t wean of their own free will, at least not in a reasonable amount of time. Neighbor J tells me he’s seen calves still suckling while their mamas are delivering the next one.
This is an issue that will have to be forced.