I guess I am still a city chick. This morning when I was ready to milk Elsie, after Freddy had had his breakfast (the Holstein bull calf purchased to replace her calf that died) I saw that Elsie had laid in manure. Her left rear flank and udder were covered in it. GROSS! How on earth was I supposed to stick my head near that flank at close quarters and milk the shitty titty? Peeeeeewwwwe!
Washing her was the only answer, but what do I do in winter? It is still summer and was warm and the flies were plentiful, because unlike me, they love shit. I went to the house and filled a gallon bucket with warm soapy water and started at the top of the flank. It took three buckets to get her clean and still there were dirty drips coming off her side. I was disgusted. I would never drink that milk. I would have to do better next time, wash her clean and dry her too, so no drips are going in the milk.
Freddy did not seem to mind one bit. He was busy filling his tummy this morning and the smell and taste did not quell his appetite at all. I did mind. I was thinking about why I have the cow at all. Since she delivered her calf, things have not been what I imagined with the calf dying and then Elsie getting mastitis in one quarter and the many milkings to try to ensure she is still producing from the quarter, the medications and antibiotics. Gads. Giving a cow a needle is not for the faint of heart and I had to give her two at a time, because I did not have a syringe that held 30 ccs, only 20, so had to divide the dose and stab her twice. Even tied up, she would not stand still. Goats are easier even, and they are not easy, only smaller I guess.
Anyhow, that is the down side of milking a cow. Because she is on antibiotics, the dogs and chickens are getting the excess milk, but she is not producing much over what Freddy drinks anyhow. Maybe it is the mastitis or she is just becoming comfortable with the whole calf and milking situation. Maybe she will let her milk down and be true to her average which was 3 gallons a day with 30% cream. I was dreaming of fresh butter and cream spooned on blueberries and and and…. Oh well. She is still a great cow, even if she is a little untidy. Sweet Elsie!
Washing her was the only answer, but what do I do in winter? It is still summer and was warm and the flies were plentiful, because unlike me, they love shit. I went to the house and filled a gallon bucket with warm soapy water and started at the top of the flank. It took three buckets to get her clean and still there were dirty drips coming off her side. I was disgusted. I would never drink that milk. I would have to do better next time, wash her clean and dry her too, so no drips are going in the milk.
Freddy did not seem to mind one bit. He was busy filling his tummy this morning and the smell and taste did not quell his appetite at all. I did mind. I was thinking about why I have the cow at all. Since she delivered her calf, things have not been what I imagined with the calf dying and then Elsie getting mastitis in one quarter and the many milkings to try to ensure she is still producing from the quarter, the medications and antibiotics. Gads. Giving a cow a needle is not for the faint of heart and I had to give her two at a time, because I did not have a syringe that held 30 ccs, only 20, so had to divide the dose and stab her twice. Even tied up, she would not stand still. Goats are easier even, and they are not easy, only smaller I guess.
Anyhow, that is the down side of milking a cow. Because she is on antibiotics, the dogs and chickens are getting the excess milk, but she is not producing much over what Freddy drinks anyhow. Maybe it is the mastitis or she is just becoming comfortable with the whole calf and milking situation. Maybe she will let her milk down and be true to her average which was 3 gallons a day with 30% cream. I was dreaming of fresh butter and cream spooned on blueberries and and and…. Oh well. She is still a great cow, even if she is a little untidy. Sweet Elsie!
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