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Barnyard Buddies:  Milking a jersey cow  |
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Dorinda
True Blue Farmgirl
1023 Posts
Dorinda
St. Cloud
Florida
USA
1023 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 15 2010 : 10:41:45 AM
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I have a question. I am looking in at getting a jersey milk cow. Does this cow have to be milked twice a day everyday or can she be milked every other day? My neighbor saids I am making a big mistake getting this cow because they are alot of maintenance. That they get sick alot and you have to milk them every day twice a day or they will get mastitis. Is this true?
Seize The Day!
Dorinda |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2010 : 7:41:32 PM
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hi dorinda, i can help you out on this. i have a jersey in milk and have been milking for 2 years. i need a shower first.lol happy days sherrye i love my cow and yes they are work.
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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rschaaf
True Blue Farmgirl
174 Posts
Renee
Wooster
Ohio
USA
174 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2010 : 7:57:34 PM
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From what I've found out about dairy farmers, they all have there prefered breed. Jersey people don't like Holsteins, Holstein people don't like Jerseys. Ayreshire people don't like...You get my point. Your neighbor my be harboring some kind of "Jersey Grudge". My husband was recently talking with a farmer who told him "anyone who milks Jerseys were too embarrased to milk goats..." Don't listen to your neighbor. Cows like any other animal need basic care. Food, water, shelter, medical attention when necessary, love and so on. They are a committment and they don't take holidays and weekends off. I've never heard of anyone milking every other day, unless maybe she is drying up or something??? But, I've never heard of that. It is true, cows can develop mastitis from not getting milked properly, which can be very devistating to the udder if bad enough.
"There is beauty, there is grace, in my peaceful country place!"
See what I'm up to at: http://www.lifeonctfarm.blogspot.com |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2010 : 10:20:54 PM
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I love my Jersey cow and wouldy totally recomend a Jersey as a family cow. Your neighbor is right that you would need to milk every day without fail. I milk twice a day for the few months and then very slowly get down to one milking per day until time to dry her up for next calving (2 months before she calves again) I milked goats for many years and don't find milking her any harder at all..just alot more milk to deal with. She gives 6 to 7 gallons a day at peak and would stay at that amount daily for 10 months of the year if I didn't work on bringing it down to 4 gallons before going to once a day milking.
YOu can get the best advice and support on family cows from other farmgirls at www.keepingafamilycow.com their forum is awesome and the book written by Joann Grohman is the best I have found.
I can't imagine my life without my cow but they do require work and attention each day.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2010 : 06:56:58 AM
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p so agree with jenny on all counts. i love my cow. i think that all the work is worth it.so i figure she eats about 1oo pounds if hay and alfalfa a day. 10 percent her body weight when in milk. thats a lot of poop. you need to know what to do with it. you have land so that is awesome.for me the benefits out weigh the jobs. i use poop scooping for part of my exercise. no gym needed here. they love the same routine everyday every time. she is so smart.goats are very smart tooo. i am a very fast moving girl. cows slow me down. thats a good thing. therapy and milk and a loving farm friend. i have little posts i wrote on here about belle. i am swimming in milk. she is 5 weeks from having her heifer calf. sophie is a sweet baby. belle has 2 teats. she had a hard life before here. so with one front and one back i get 5 gallons a day. oh my. it is legal to sell raw milk in oregon. we can not advertise here. i also feed all livestock here that drink it milk. HEALTHY. my preference would be a mini jersey cow with A-2 A-2 milk. she would already be halter trained and lead rope trained. she needs to have been fed by bottle. handled a lot by folks. dog is barking gotta check said cow will be back lol
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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Dorinda
True Blue Farmgirl
1023 Posts
Dorinda
St. Cloud
Florida
USA
1023 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2010 : 07:16:58 AM
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Thank You girls on your advice. That is what I have been looking for is a miniature jersey that will be easier to handle. I may wait a little while longer then, before I get her because I am very busy taking care of my mother whom is sick and I have a handicapped sister who lives with her. They are both a hand full. Right now my time is limited. So my Jersey cow will have to wait a little longer. I want to make sure I am here full time to take good care of her. I do have a cow and calf out in pasture. They are angus. "Rose and Petunia" Love them both.
Seize The Day!
Dorinda |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2010 : 07:24:00 AM
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ok well i am back. the reason belle only has 2 quarters that work are sad. she was first at a share herd dairy. worked hard but ok life. she aquired mastitus in front quarter. that teat orifice died. she was sold because of it. a young man who lived 1 block off the main street of town bought her. she was milked for a while them put in with wire garbage goats chickens etc. she did not dry off right. when i bought her she had mastitus. i bought her for $250.00 mand 10 dozen eggs. he wanted 800.00. i was glad to have her. now i am not recommending a rescue cow. i have rescued some. some did not live. its a hard way to go. my thought is could you find a person milking near you and volunteer? you could learn hands on milking and all the chores etc. it takes to keep her. i am always looking for help here. i trade real food for real work. any way i think keeping a family cow is like having a live how to book. wonderful folks. just reading posts and her book has helped me immensely. many of the girls here have goats and cows. they can help too. remember its also ALL the jars and fridge space and washing glass and making butter and ice cream. i love it all. so i could rattle on and on. i am that way so i will stop here. if you have questions lots of help here for you. happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2010 : 1:20:31 PM
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I would think if you found a cow that has just calved that you could keep the calf on her and milk when you needed to? That's just a thought. I did that with goats before. Then when they are weaned you will be only milking OAD. I do have a friend who is milking her goats every other day and has for some time now. I personally would never do that unless I am drying them off. Her goats are huge and look quite miserable. But I guess it works for her.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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bellaboo
Farmgirl in Training
19 Posts
christine
millsap
tx
USA
19 Posts |
Posted - Oct 20 2010 : 6:40:29 PM
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Hi all, well I took the leap of faith and bought my Jersey cow, Buttercup. I am excited and nervous all together.....she is beautiful and sweet. She has been with us over 2 weeks now. She will eat out of my hand now and allow me to pet her but can't get the halter on yet. Been reading my copy of Keeping a Family Cow. She is due to calve in December with her first calf. Christine
be yourself everyone else is already taken! |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Oct 20 2010 : 8:32:08 PM
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yipee
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Oct 20 2010 : 11:02:30 PM
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How fun...and I love her name Christine!! It will be so fun to hear about her as you get to know each other. Do you have a stanchion for milking her? If so..put her in and then put the halter on first time...that is how Mona got her first one on. Be sure to spend all the time getting her used to you that you can until she calves. Mona loves to stand in her stanchion and just be brushed and petted all over. It helps them be less jumpy if they are used to being touched alot too. I am so excited for you!! Yay!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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bellaboo
Farmgirl in Training
19 Posts
christine
millsap
tx
USA
19 Posts |
Posted - Oct 21 2010 : 5:43:45 PM
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I don't have a stanchion, do you think I need one? I read about them but some have suggested a stall.....my elderly patients are the ones that suggested the stall. She is letting me pat her on the back some now. I add a powder garlic supplement to my horses feed and this keeps the flies down and I have added some to hers but haven't noticed much difference but I know it takes a few weeks to get in their system. I thought I would quit giving it to her come December cause I don't want garlic flavored milk! I love the name Buttercup too. I would hum the song and sing it sometimes when I would think about buying a jersey. lol. Thanks for all the encouragement.Will keep you posted.
be yourself everyone else is already taken! |
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HomesteadHerbs
Farmgirl in Training
27 Posts
Christine
Hockley
TX
27 Posts |
Posted - Oct 21 2010 : 6:31:22 PM
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Christine, where did you get her from? I'm on the lookout for a Jersey too! But all the ones I find, are too far away (I don't have a truck or trailer to haul with).
Sounds like yours is heavenly!
Blessings!
Farmgirl Sister #1997
Living a Godly simple life with 2 kids, a Haflinger, and hens. Would love a Jersey hand milked cow! :-) |
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bellaboo
Farmgirl in Training
19 Posts
christine
millsap
tx
USA
19 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2010 : 8:17:36 PM
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Hi there! I found her on craigslist. I have been looking for a few months but just intently the last couple of months and I think I found a great one. She was in Hillsboro and the girl agreed to deliver her for 100 dollars. I paid 700 for her. So I bought her sight unseen......just the pictures on the internet, but talked to the owner at length and felt comfortable with her and trusted her. Buttercup is letting me rub her back and belly now when I feed her a little grain in my hand or bucket. She hasn't had a halter on in about 4 months the owner told me. She is 20 months old and due to calve in December with her first calf. She was bred to a reg. red angus small bull. I know you will find the perfect one for you too! Blessings to you too! Christine
be yourself everyone else is already taken! |
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JenStewart
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
Jenny
Armada
Michigan
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2010 : 06:33:01 AM
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Hi Dorinda. I love my jersey cow. I have had her for a few months now. She is a commitment. She has a calf on her and I milk her once a day. She is a lot of work but I knew that going in and I love it. We have a ton of milk. She is very docile, loves to be petted and brushed daily. Basically she is my shadow. I don't have a stanchion and I don't to tie her to milk her.She just stands patiently. The first few months I milked her right next to the calf. Now I pen the calf while I milk. If I want to get her halter on I offer her a carrot and slip it on while she is munching. She comes to me when I call her. We do have 3 pastures for her and we also tether her in the yard. She also eats a ton of hay. At least a bale a day. I can't say enough good about having her. She is due in June and we are hoping for a heifer. The vet said we have a very happy and healthy cow and calf. If you have the time for her you will love it.
Bellaboo, I found mine on craigslist to. I went to the farm to choose and they delivered her a week later. I bought her and a holstien heifer for $650 with delivery included. She was a foster mom to 3 holstien calves so I wanted her to at least keep one of her babies so she wouldn't be to sad.
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2010 : 06:52:25 AM
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jenny welcome to MJF. another cow owner yipee. that is so great your cow is calm and easy. isabella our cow is very sweet too. you must be milking by hand? how much milk do you get a day? are you making cheese yet. i made mozz. yesterday. making lasagne today. yum will be watching for your posts. happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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JenStewart
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
Jenny
Armada
Michigan
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2010 : 09:14:56 AM
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| Hi Sherrye. I would love your mozz recipe. I have not made cheese yet. I want to but haven't had the time to even read how to.Is it easy? Yes I am milking by hand.With out the calf I can get about 40 lb a day. I am only getting a gallon a day.Was getting 3 when the calf was smaller now she is bigger and eating more. Fine by me. A gallon a day is alot for me. I am making butter, yogurt, labna(mid eastern sour cream), ice cream, pudding and soups using lots of milk. Of course we also drink the milk:) Have been freezing some milk to. Any tips are always welcome. |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2010 : 09:48:02 AM
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later i can post a recipe for mozz. its really easy. i learned last night... the hotter the whey the dryer the cheese. i messed it up. got to hot. dry and may not melt. will make more today. usually its perfect. i need a good recipe for ice cream. belles fat is so heavy i get cream fat chunks in mine. just bought the commercial cuisinart ice cream freezer. it has its own thermostat and freezer component. no freezing bowl. makes perfect soft. when it freezes it gets some ice crystals and fat chunks. any help would be appreciated. i bought the cheese making kit from leeners. i bought the large kit last year. i did each recipe in the book up to cheddar. i need a stainless press. it needs to hold more than one batch. gotta go happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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JenStewart
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
Jenny
Armada
Michigan
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2010 : 3:00:42 PM
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| I will dig out my ice cream recipe and post it soon. It is from my old fanniefarmer cookbook. |
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Barnyard Buddies: Milking a jersey cow |
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Milking a jersey cow
