Baymule
Herd Master
Brain fart! Brilliant! I hope it works for you! You may want to consider a milking machine anyway, because of the arthritis. This will buy you time and maybe you can find a good deal on a used one.
I never thought I'd consider a milking machine.....
- Thread starter canesisters
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canesisters
Herd Master
.... yeah..
.. back to the original post.There is no way I can imagine having $500 - $1000 that isn't already earmarked many many months in advance.
I'll put it on my Christmas list
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canesisters
Herd Master
There's some improvement - and some increased sensitivity in the back quarters... probably because it's taking me SOOO LONG to finish them.
Today I separated them for about 4hrs & then guided the calf to only nurse the back quarters. Hoping that will help too.
I finished with them about 6 & will be back out around 4.
Is 10hrs too long for a 5day old calf?
Today I separated them for about 4hrs & then guided the calf to only nurse the back quarters. Hoping that will help too.
I finished with them about 6 & will be back out around 4.
Is 10hrs too long for a 5day old calf?
Mini Horses
Herd Master
@farmerjan says you're near me....???? I'm Suffolk area. You?
Don't know about length of time on nursing but guiding to hind quarters is good.
. I sometimes have kids who only want one side and I have to divert.
Don't know about length of time on nursing but guiding to hind quarters is good.
. I sometimes have kids who only want one side and I have to divert.farmerjan
Herd Master
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I used to figure 12 hours between nursings/bottles. That's standard for most dairies so no, not too long. The calf will be good and hungry and should be able to work on the back quarters with enthusiasm.
farmerjan
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I was going by the avatar that said South Eastern Va....@farmerjan says you're near me....???? I'm Suffolk area. You?
Don't know about length of time on nursing but guiding to hind quarters is good.
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canesisters
Herd Master
@Mini Horses
I'm a little south of Petersburg, probably about 1.5hrs away
I'm a little south of Petersburg, probably about 1.5hrs away
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canesisters
Herd Master
PROGRESS!! 
Calfey nearly drained BOTH back quarters this AM. I only had to do a little cleanup work & Eva didn't fuss at all.
There IS a light at the "bottom of the milk bucket"
Calfey nearly drained BOTH back quarters this AM. I only had to do a little cleanup work & Eva didn't fuss at all.
There IS a light at the "bottom of the milk bucket"
Mini Horses
Herd Master
Great!!! Nature is best.
. Appears you and the calf have solved your problem.
I asked your area because I would have let you borrow the milking unit to try and see if it helped you. It is battery powered, rechargeable. Plus, I have a hand pump unit -- Henry milker -- that would help for relief. No pulsator or electric but, does require some squeezing by hand, no noise. I've found it very helpful for a training animal as the hose allows for some distance and movement by the goat.
The unit I have is similar to one you referenced and excellent price. I find I can connect to smaller containers for isolating milk from each animal. I do that to be able to check taste and butterfat from the different does. Its a personal thing for me.
. Appears you and the calf have solved your problem. I asked your area because I would have let you borrow the milking unit to try and see if it helped you. It is battery powered, rechargeable. Plus, I have a hand pump unit -- Henry milker -- that would help for relief. No pulsator or electric but, does require some squeezing by hand, no noise. I've found it very helpful for a training animal as the hose allows for some distance and movement by the goat.
The unit I have is similar to one you referenced and excellent price. I find I can connect to smaller containers for isolating milk from each animal. I do that to be able to check taste and butterfat from the different does. Its a personal thing for me.
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canesisters
Herd Master
@Mini Horses I think I've talked myself out of buying it....
I've gotten almost equal opinions 'Sure, it's not premium, but it's better than not getting her milked out' & 'Don't do it!! It'll ruin her udder!'...
I remind myself multiple times a day that yesterday was ONLY a week into this. We're (all 3 of us) JUST starting to settle into a routine.
I'm my own worst critic - constantly tripping myself up with self doubt.
But, in the long run, that $150-$160 or so would probably be better spent improving fencing or something.
I've gotten almost equal opinions 'Sure, it's not premium, but it's better than not getting her milked out' & 'Don't do it!! It'll ruin her udder!'...
I remind myself multiple times a day that yesterday was ONLY a week into this. We're (all 3 of us) JUST starting to settle into a routine.
I'm my own worst critic - constantly tripping myself up with self doubt.
But, in the long run, that $150-$160 or so would probably be better spent improving fencing or something.
