What is 'cake'

Farmer Kitty

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BeardedChick said:
That will be helpful. :) Right now I have noooo idea how much milk is left.
That is a hard one with the caking. But, for now it's not really an issue because of the calf nursing. Hang tight and it will get better.
 

Imissmygirls

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try searching for udder edema. Cake is actually the swelling of tissue in the udder as the hormones for milk production kick in. Some cows have a lot-- to the extent that they get udder sores from the udder rubbing against their legs, and other cows ( frequently beefers) have practically none.
Edema can start weeks before calving or not until after calving.

Cows are as different in their udders as women are in their (ahem) breasts. No size/description fits all. Learn what your cow is like.
Gotta love the natural side of life:)

Once you are reasonably comfortable milking ( and you likely are by now-- you've a few days to get used to it) she will be empty when you can't milk anymore out of a quarter.
Also... she continually produces more, so if you milk her a quarter at a time, by the time you get all 4 done, she will have a few more squirts in the first quarter. Of course, if you are a slow milker, this means you could spend all day at it and she still would not be empty. Be rational and when the squirts just aren't there, she's done.

Re: chunks or flakes: There should NOT be chunks or flakes in the milk. If she has either, you have a case of mastitis ( inflamation of the mammary system) and that is not good!
 

MReit

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:cool:You can use bag balm also, I don't know a cow that didn't appreciate some!
 

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