| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Brew Crew |
Posted - Aug 08 2010 : 3:35:30 PM
Super exciting news for us; we are going to be getting a family milk cow soon! We've been milking our goats for several years and now with a family of 8, it's time to graduate! lol. I was wondering if anyone has a cow-size milk pail they would consider selling me? I have a goat sized one, which has served me well, but I have a feeling my 2-gallon pail won't cut it any more. :D I'd love to have a hand me down if possible; they are spendy new!
"The ideal equestrian has the courage of a lion, the patience of a saint, and the hands of a woman."
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| 18 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Brew Crew |
Posted - Aug 12 2010 : 3:41:09 PM
Kris-- yep she just stands there with no grain or anything or a head gate. Just a lead rope sort of draped over the stall fence. The owner said he trained her that way so that if he ever DIDN'T have grain, she wouldn't act up.
And thanks for the warning about the bucket, Teresa. I will go about it slowly with her and hopefully she'll be agreeable. She's pretty laid back.
I am so super excited; and I think we will probably call her Daisy. :)
"The ideal equestrian has the courage of a lion, the patience of a saint, and the hands of a woman."
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| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Aug 12 2010 : 11:08:16 AM
She looks to be a sweet heart, lucky you. When they are socalized, halter and lead broke from the time they are very young and much smaller, its makes it a joy to work with and milk them.
You will have to try milking with a bucket beneath her, use caution, cause if shes not used to a bucket under her, she may spook and run, and/or kick. I would think she would not care if you used a stool, cause the position of your body squatting is the same as sitting on a stool.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 12 2010 : 10:41:46 AM
I could not sqaut that long without falling over! Hopefully you can come up with your own routine. With a stool! And she just stands there with nothing to eat? Is she tied? That's a great first time milker if she doesn't have to eat or be tied. You reaaly are very lucky to have found her. She is a pretty cow. And really good udders too.
Does she not have a name? I'll try to come up with a few.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| Alee |
Posted - Aug 12 2010 : 09:07:01 AM
Her coloring reminds me of thos Nougat candies that I used to buy as a kid!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| Brew Crew |
Posted - Aug 12 2010 : 08:25:09 AM
Here's a picture (bad pic from a celly at dusk, lol) of me and her. The guy had the wierdest system for milking her; I had to squat with a pitcher pinched between my knees, lol!
And another better picture....
Name suggestions?
Alee-- I should be able to sell her calf with little trouble; she was bred to an angus it should be a decent (not great, but decent) beef prospect. We would plan on keeping it, but we already have 2 beef steers!
"The ideal equestrian has the courage of a lion, the patience of a saint, and the hands of a woman."
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| sherrye |
Posted - Aug 12 2010 : 07:52:36 AM
so happy for you and your family. sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| Alee |
Posted - Aug 12 2010 : 06:33:18 AM
Molly- That's great!! Since cows are scarce in your area, do you think you will be able to sell her offspring?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 12 2010 : 05:12:40 AM
Molly, that is good news! I am so happy and excited for you! I hope ya'll have a very long friendship and she gives you and your family tons of good milk. She sounds like a great cow. And very yound too. The wait is going to be the worst part. But Sat. will be here before ya know it. Ya'll have fun.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| Brew Crew |
Posted - Aug 11 2010 : 9:18:54 PM
Well, we went to see the cow tonight and she's wonderful! I'm super excited; we bring her home Saturday. :D
"The ideal equestrian has the courage of a lion, the patience of a saint, and the hands of a woman."
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| Brew Crew |
Posted - Aug 10 2010 : 8:31:51 PM
Thanks, ladies. Good point! I was worried about the awkwardness of 2+ pails, but I think you're right about the weight.
Boy, cows in my area are so scarce if this one isn't a good fit, I don't know when we'll come across another....
"The ideal equestrian has the courage of a lion, the patience of a saint, and the hands of a woman."
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| sherrye |
Posted - Aug 10 2010 : 7:22:42 PM
molly this is so exciting. another cow milker. yipee... isabel will freshen in the next 19 days. she is bagging up already. gotta go check her now. happy days let us know how it went milking sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 10 2010 : 7:08:21 PM
Molly, I think Teresa is right. I forgot about the heaviness of milk. A gallon of cow milk weighs 8 pounds. I have a 2 gallon tote that I have filled many times. It is heavy. But I carry 50 pound sacks of grain too.
I can't get pictures on here. I have tried. My niece is supposed to come visit and she's a computer whiz. I am hoping one day to learn how. Mazie is just a big red baby. She's close to a thousand pounds. And so beautiful.
I hope you and the cow hit it off. That makes a big difference in being succesfulin milking. Some cows and people just don't get along. But you'll know when you see her. Is she from a dairy or a family farm? Hand milked or machine? I know. I am nosy. Have fun tomorrow. Let us know how it went. And what she's like.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Aug 10 2010 : 10:08:50 AM
Molly, you don't want a bigger pail than 2 gallon, they are to heavy to carry, I have always used 2 gal pails, and have several of them, so between my cow and goats, they work out fine...congrads on getting a cow...
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| Brew Crew |
Posted - Aug 09 2010 : 8:14:41 PM
Kris, I've never milked a cow before! I started with goats to ease myself into it, lol! But we have had steers and horses for years so big animals aren't too intimidating to me, however each animal is different. I will for sure milk her when we go to see her on Wednesday, so that I have supervision and advice on hand, lol. Do you have pictures of your Mazie posted on here?
"The ideal equestrian has the courage of a lion, the patience of a saint, and the hands of a woman."
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 09 2010 : 6:05:51 PM
5 gallons a day and just on pasture? Wow! Because I was going to do that with Mazie since she's never had grain. But she is a beef breed so she will probably not give near that much. I am so excited for you! Have you ever milked a cow before? I think I will be a little nervous at first because she's so big. But I will try.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| Brew Crew |
Posted - Aug 09 2010 : 07:05:41 AM
Oooo I can't wait, I am so excited. The cow we are interested in is a holstein/jersey cross. She's just beautiful. She's a first time heifer, and been in milk for about 4 months, giving 5 gallons a day (I think this could be increased, they are not supplementing her feed right now, she's only on pasture). She's also been bred already (AI), which I think also could be effecting her milk production. :) Thanks for keeping a look out for me, I might have to go with two 2 gallon pails. ;)
"The ideal equestrian has the courage of a lion, the patience of a saint, and the hands of a woman."
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| sherrye |
Posted - Aug 08 2010 : 6:31:11 PM
i agree with kris. yipee for you. sooo happy for you. i start milking end of aug. happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 08 2010 : 5:35:06 PM
Molly, that is exciting! Do you know what kind you will be getting? I wish I could help you with the pail but I think mine is a 2 gallon too. And I hope to be milking my cow in April so I might need it. I hope someone has one for you. And good luck on the milk cow hunt. I hope ya'll find a good family cow. Let us know when you get it, ok?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
