How to Milk a Cow - eHow.com
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How to Milk a Cow
A pail, short stool, two hands and a very gentle milk
cow are all you need to enjoy fresh milk every day.
Once
you start milking your cow, she will have to be milked
twice a day every day until you let her dry up.
Steps:
1. Milk at the same time daily.
2. Sit on the same side of the cow each day. This will
help your cow feel more comfortable - cows like
routine.
3. Place cow in a stanchion if this makes you feel
more
at ease. If your cow is an old hand at being milked,
this probably won't be necessary. Ask the farmer you
purchased her from what her routine was with the
farmer.
4. Place stool at a right angle to the cow and sit
with
your head resting on her flank.
5. Wash udder with warm water and clean cloth.
6. Place pail under teats.
7. Take a teat into the palm of your hand.
8. Squeeze teat at top with thumb and forefinger.
Continue squeezing each finger around teat, forcing
milk
in a stream until all fingers are around teat.
9. Release teat.
10. Repeat until only a small amount of milk comes out
and the udder is soft to the touch.
Tips:
If you milk your cow regularly and maintain a good
feeding program, your cow can give you milk for up to
10
months.
Warnings:
Remember that even the nicest cow can kick, so always
be
aware of this. If you are nervous or too rough with
her,
this will cause problems.
Tips from eHow Users:
Know your cow by Judd S.
If you start milking by just sitting down and pulling,
nothing will happen. It is safer for you and the cow if
you know everything you can about the cow first. Start
by daily grooming. Brushing and scratching her will
make
her feel better around you, and you around her. You do
not need to rush, you will be spending an average of 10
hours a week with your cow from feeding, cleaning and
milking. Make sure you like cows. If you do not like
the
smell, look or feel, then maybe you should not be
milking. Clean the utter and teats with warm soapy
water. Again, take your time. Remember, you will be
drinking what falls into your bucket, so it is best to
make sure nothing but milk falls into your bucket! From
my experience, it does not matter what side you milk
on.
I have milked on the right and on the left. Look over
your barn and decide where the safest place will be to
milk. Pick a area where there is a wall and do the
milking on the other side. Your cow will not care. Make
sure, whatever you do, you do the same thing every day.
Cows like having the same events, and they will adjust
to what you want. Do not let them make you do something
their way. Here is a good routine to follow:
Enter the barn. Get the grain ready. Tie the cow where
you are going to be doing the milking. Brush the cow.
Give her the grain and start cleaning her teats. Start
milking slowly at first, then pick up speed. When you
are done, untie her and lead her out of the milking
area. This simple way will help her know what to expect
and how to react. Even the most difficult cow is able
to
change. Never punish your cow with pain. They remember
forever and they will get even.
If you are just starting milking all you need is:
Stainless steal bucket, plastic bucket for cleaning,
bleach, soap, steal toed boots, a cooler to get the
milk
cold, a large pot if you want to pasteurize your milk
and a cow. I hope your first time is a good time.
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