So much milk! First attempts at milking our Jersey house cow - Free Range Homestead Ep 69

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  • Опубликовано: 11 июл 2024
  • We introduce you to our newest arrival on the farm and share with you our experiences milking our Jersey house cow for the very first time.
    00:00 Milking fails! 😂
    00:30 Introducing Beatrix
    01:36 History of Astrid our house cow 🐄
    05:24 Our first attempts at milking Astrid 🐮
    11:33 Why we are trying to milk without restraints
    13:13 Food is scarce. Moving our cow on to greener pastures.
    18:21 Later experiences of milking
    27:23 Wrap up and call for your advice!
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Комментарии • 98

  • @woodsmn8047
    @woodsmn8047 3 месяца назад +21

    if you don't keep your head pressed against her your hair makes a tickle and she thinks there's a fly on her flank and she will swat with her tail or raise her foot and slam it down to scare away the fly ...so don't be shy snuggle in there cuz she's not being ornery ...she just don't like flies ...also the milk that comes last has most of the cream in it so if you stop early the calf will get the lion's share of the cream

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад +3

      I have been sticking my head hard against her flank and she does love it. I hadn't thought it might feel like a fly but that seems likely to me now as I haven't been swatted all week and she keeps her feet nicely out of the way now. We are getting all of the milk out of the rear teats, while the calf monopolizes the front ones and have enough cream now to take care of our butter and other needs. Really great.

  • @johnansell2707
    @johnansell2707 3 месяца назад +3

    This is hilarious and adorable at the same time. I find i like the new channel format even more than the old sailing format. Allthough seeing Marool heeled over with her toerails in the water belting along faster than an old Aussie lady had a right too brings back fond memories. Best of luck to you three!

  • @nooneanybodyknows7912
    @nooneanybodyknows7912 3 месяца назад +6

    She's a good judge of character. 😂 I love the fresh smell of sheets hung on a clothes line. I still do that myself. I haven't used a clothes dryer in decades. Your channel brings me such joy. Thank you for sharing.🐄

  • @paulsouth4794
    @paulsouth4794 3 месяца назад +5

    Howdy ,
    We always had jersey house cows .
    1. Watch out for calcium deficiencies. Called milk fever
    2. After calving you will need to strip her out i.e milk her regularly to take the excess milk .
    3. If you do not remove excess milk she may get mastitus .
    4. You will need to milk her regularly without fail . And she will give milk long after the calf as been weaned.
    5.
    For the animals safety and your own. Build a set of bails. The romance of free milking is mythical . Yet some ,very few cows will do that .
    6. Get a stiff brush and brush her .. cows love a good brush .
    7. Always wash her udder before milking . Dairy supplies will have an excellent anti bacterial/ moisturiser wash .
    8.strain your milk, hair skinflakes from hand milking will be in the milk .
    9. A cow bail will be a good place for animal husbandry. And always have a spot to tie a leg rope . Saves getting kicked .
    10. Jersey's make wounderful pets
    11. Watch out for scoures in the calf from too much milk . White scour's are nasty .

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад +2

      We are onto most things on your list, as they are very similar to our dairy goats. White scour is a new one though and it does sound like something to watch, thankyou. I'm still thinking about the headbail, similar to, though bigger than, what I built for the goats. Right now, Astrid has become very comfortable getting milked in the sorting yards. I think she is at ease with a wooden fence on her one flank and leaning against my head pressed into the other. I haven't even had a tail swipe for over a week and she has become very trusting of us when handling her calf.

  • @chshrkt
    @chshrkt 3 месяца назад +7

    Grew up with 20+ milk goats and a dairy cow. Having your cow against a wall, tree, whatever, then putting your head right in the hollow in front of the hind legs with a bit of pressure really keeps her calm. Also the diagonal milking with an alternating pattern I found works best. Front right, back left for a while, then front left, back right. milk one teat, then the other, not both at the same time, get into a rhythm.
    As for the tail, we always gave it a bit of a trim in the wet season since there were not many flies, and yes, give it a good clean when she is in scour.
    Hope that helps.

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад +2

      I have been milking her almost to the letter of your advice here, and she is perfectly behaved for the time being. She even rests a fraction of her weight on my head while I work and has stopped swatting me. I hadn't thought of trimming the tail, but now you tell me, it seems so obvious. Theres lots of things like that in life I guess.

  • @Megs_farmlife
    @Megs_farmlife 3 месяца назад +1

    The cow will be holding the cream back for her calf. Once the calf is weaned, you should get heaps more cream.

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад

      That is something to look forward to as the place greens up again. We did get enough to make our first lot of butter, which is a nice milestone.

  • @johngroenewegen4398
    @johngroenewegen4398 3 месяца назад +2

    Brings back memories of when I milked 55 Holsteins and 1 Jersey cow 2X a day on a farm in western Alberta CA. The Holsten's were very particular about how to be being milked . Get this wrong and it was a quick trip to the gutter. The Jersey was mostly seduced by chop mainly oats and bits. LOL You guys are looking great !! Do miss the fishing tutorials .All the best

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад

      I have found that by mixing a little Lucerne chaff with apples, sprouted grain and oaten chaff, she holds very still as she looks for her favourites. In the last week, she hasn't put a foot out of place and waits for me now at her designated station.

  • @alexisirwin956
    @alexisirwin956 3 месяца назад +3

    Justin Rhodes on You Tube built a movable sled head gate to pull around the pasture. But I love your tenasity it doing it free range. Your channel if wonderful!

  • @margiegurner2694
    @margiegurner2694 3 месяца назад +5

    Cows are very good at telling time! ...And they do appreciate pressure off the udders...and love a firm head in their flank...and you will get faster...😂❤
    Possibly i would consider making one spot for her to come for milking...very much creatures of habit 😊

    • @campbellmj9405
      @campbellmj9405 3 месяца назад

      This.

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад +1

      I agree to all the above. We rendezvous now at the sorting yards as it is all wooden palings, without nasty electric wires. Once she has a feed trough in front, wood to one side and my head jammed in the other, she noticably relaxes. She hasn't put a foot out of place all week and the worst we've had is her sneezing chaff into the pail. Not too bad as we strain it all anyway.

  • @rogerstone3068
    @rogerstone3068 3 месяца назад +1

    There was a book I used to have, by Gerald Seymour, simply called 'Self-Sufficiency'. It was written back in the 60s or early 70s and he was doing very much what you're doing; and he filled the book with the benefits of his experience on what to grow, how to grow it, and a chapter each called 'Goat', 'Pig', 'Cow' and so forth. Very genuine advice, from his own experience. If you can find a copy, you might find some of it interesting or useful.

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад

      It happens that our neighbour does have a copy and I occasionally leaf through it when I visit for a chat and a cuppa.

  • @larryreily4736
    @larryreily4736 3 месяца назад +2

    My grandfather always tied a loose loop of cord around tail and hind leg to avoid that swatting.

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад

      She seems to have stopped for now. We'll see if that advice is needed in the wet season!

  • @carolleenkelmann3829
    @carolleenkelmann3829 3 месяца назад

    Beatrix/Beatrice comes from the Latin meaning "blessed one". What luck having the bull father a Charolais. The best steak meal I ever had was from Charolais beef in Rhone Valley in France, many, many years ago. It was so memorable that after 40 years it's never been erased from my brain. Good luck and good health for such a beautiful little calf that hopefully will give you milk as well, when her time comes.

  • @jehdwebster9152
    @jehdwebster9152 3 месяца назад +1

    You need to milk her in a head stanchion, we also never left the calf on due to bactira, bottle feed the calf. We milk sheep now. We make cheese, butter and all kinds with the milk. Our Jersy gave us 18L a day. Rember you can freeze milk.

  • @isnoo1
    @isnoo1 3 месяца назад +1

    LOVE your ideas....... she is a wonderful Mum.......... and there is a great bonding being built here!

  • @lynnclark4208
    @lynnclark4208 3 месяца назад

    Yes, the thought of making butter and cheese. And the left over milk from butter? Buttermilk to make biscuits , cornbread.....???

  • @woodsmn8047
    @woodsmn8047 3 месяца назад +1

    cows like consistency in their diet because the bacteria in their stomachs grow and change to accommodate what she eats so it takes a few days for her digestion to settle on her feed choices so if she gets hay ...try to keep her on hay as long as possible ect

  • @davidsears5576
    @davidsears5576 3 месяца назад +1

    Love watching you guys

  • @elliekennedy2952
    @elliekennedy2952 3 месяца назад

    Milk some from each quarter and the calf can finish up that way if the calf misses one quarter, she will not be uncomfortable. You need a lower milking stool. You are a little to high. A cow can hold her milk up and you cannot get milk from her.

  • @theneverendingjourneyoflif1482
    @theneverendingjourneyoflif1482 3 месяца назад +2

    Wow times have changed! Last time you were sailing! Bob Dylan said it best! I must catch up! :)

    • @BillB23
      @BillB23 3 месяца назад +1

      It's been an interesting journey. Enjoy it! I did.

    • @theneverendingjourneyoflif1482
      @theneverendingjourneyoflif1482 3 месяца назад

      @@BillB23 Amazing family now eh!!!! From friends, to lovers, to sailors, to farmers, to moms and dads! The circle of life continues! Seems so perfect for all of us .....

  • @jonboyle326
    @jonboyle326 3 месяца назад

    a little feed of magnesium will help with any milk fever problems

  • @gavinmclean3174
    @gavinmclean3174 3 месяца назад

    My advice is build a roof over the place you milk the cow, it will also give her and the calf some cover if the weather is bad.

  • @lynnclark4208
    @lynnclark4208 3 месяца назад

    I saw one woman put a bucket behind the milk cow to catch the pee and poop. She keeps the stanchion area as clean as possible.

  • @OleNavy
    @OleNavy 3 месяца назад

    My grandmother had a milk cow that was Jersey. She was a reddish-orangish color. Your Astrid, I believe, is more closely related to the Brown Swiss. Also, you should milk a cow from her right side as opposed to the left side. You mount a horse from the left side. Also, keep your head pressed into her side, just in front of that leg joint. It helps to discourage her from lifting her leg or kicking.

  • @gertboerman3666
    @gertboerman3666 3 месяца назад

    My conclusion is that Astrid has full trust in the Bearded Pink Panther. BPP. And thus BFF. And BTW.....Chapeau how you guys treat your animals.

  • @richardp4544
    @richardp4544 3 месяца назад +1

    Congrats on the new calf. There's not much I can add about your milking program or methods. You seem to have that under control. As far as building that milking stall I think you might want to consider something along that line in your shed for milking in inclement weather. Also, LOL, it's nice that you are getting Constance involved.

  • @americanbornwalkaway9110
    @americanbornwalkaway9110 3 месяца назад

    😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍🤣🤣🤣🤣SO AWESOME al you do is cool !!! and ALWAYS fun to watch its aways a learning experience GOD BLESS and THANKS

  • @alanrobinson5109
    @alanrobinson5109 3 месяца назад

    Hi Troy & Pascale, love your videos, wishing you all the best from the UK.

  • @rolandtb3
    @rolandtb3 3 месяца назад

    Astrid is a good mom to Beatrix. 4L for two is lots of milk. Need some rain.

  • @GMAN-nq5tz
    @GMAN-nq5tz 3 месяца назад +1

    Hi you should make a home made vacume Pump to milk your cow

  • @malcolmcoward7480
    @malcolmcoward7480 3 месяца назад

    I've certainly got no experience, apart from farm holidays in Cornwall years ago where they milked Jersey and Guernsey cows. They always started off milking by passing initial squirts through a fine sieve to check for mastitis.

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад

      We shoot the first few squirts into the cloth we use to clean her udder and teats before milking to check for just that thing. Thanks for the advice though, I bet it would be nasty to find it another way.

  • @davidstoddard9160
    @davidstoddard9160 3 месяца назад

    It appears you need to place what I call kickers on your cow, to stop her from kicking the pail and sometime for certain will tip over the pail, or even kick one of the family

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад

      Shes really coming along now and has pretty much not put a foot wrong all week. If she has a leg in the way, I can scratch it and she moves it back!

  • @lightprint348
    @lightprint348 3 месяца назад

    i wonder if you had a feed tub that had 3 higher walls and a front slots for her head, that way she would have to orient herself to the slot and you if she wanted to feed. it also might remove visual distractions and a head visiting while you milked. it may also increase anxioty they she cannot see as easily... enjoying speculating how i might do it. with your aims inmind.

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад +1

      I found that by mixing different treats all together with apples, she has to nose around for her favourites, working down from best to least liked. It seems to keep her occupied and not eat too quick.

  • @traceymarshall5111
    @traceymarshall5111 3 месяца назад

    Have a look at mobile milking stanchion. Easy to build. Plenty of RUclips videos on them. Justin Rhodes is a great one

  • @jameslvantrojen3059
    @jameslvantrojen3059 3 месяца назад

    grew up on fathers dairy and owned it. some are harder to hand milk. teats are smaller. what I noticed right away is try reaching across and place your hand on the back of the opposite leg and use your arm as a lever to stop the lifting leg. It not only works but teaches her not to step. If you can find a stripping bucket it helps keep the dirt out. Also sometimes they like to feed the calf rather than being milked. I can send pictures if you like but your doing ok . I'm 72 and still live on the dairy.

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад

      I used your lever technique this morning and she responds well to it. We have come to an agreement and she never tries to kick the bucket or act up. She waits till I jam my head into her flank and rests a little weight on there. It seems to make her feel relaxed to have a wooden fence one side and me on the other, without any nasty electric wire anywhere.

  • @gpdewitt
    @gpdewitt 3 месяца назад

    From long memory, back in the '60s we drank raw whole milk delivered in bottles, with the cream on top. Assuming the dairy actually gave us the whole product, your amount sounds about right. Of course, no faintest idea what breed of cows this came from. On occasion, some of that cream "disappeared" before Mom could mix it in. Hmmm. :)

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад +1

      The cream has got to be quite a bit more, now that Astrid lets me take a bit more and is more relaxed. Enough to take care of our butter habit along with plenty of milk and cream for other things.

  • @jonboyle326
    @jonboyle326 3 месяца назад

    warm water to wash the teats helps the cow to let down often as you start washing a teat the milk will start spraying out. i think its a trigger like the calf licking the teats

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад

      We did learn that from milking our goats. On a cool morning, they do love a soapy warm wash.

  • @monicacasella3812
    @monicacasella3812 3 месяца назад

    Y si le pones una manea en sus patas traseras se quedan quietas no patean y te dejan ordeñar más tranqui 😂😂 saludos desde uruguay 🇺🇾

  • @johnwalker6711
    @johnwalker6711 3 месяца назад

    I only ever saw people placing a milk pail or bucket under the udders and using two hands to squeeze the milk

  • @victorbitter583
    @victorbitter583 3 месяца назад

    The best tip I can give is if one teat stops giving milk, you need to pull anudder one lol. cheers.

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад

      Our viewers can't resist milking an opportunity for a pun.

  • @darrylmcleman6456
    @darrylmcleman6456 3 месяца назад

    A sight to behold! Me attempting to milk a "new to us" Saanan Goat ! The @#$% goat allowed me to milk a liter or so and then looked right at me and deliberately placed her foot in the milk pail! CHEERS from HERE!

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад

      Goats are unusually canny when they want to be.

  • @dirtknocker2587
    @dirtknocker2587 2 месяца назад

    Teats are definitely not good for hand milking!😂

  • @larryhill7563
    @larryhill7563 3 месяца назад

    I milked cows I did it morning and nite and I would feed her and milk same time worked good for me.

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад

      I am considering an afternoon session when I bring her apples

  • @1014TOMCAT
    @1014TOMCAT 3 месяца назад

    Guys, just be careful there is other stuff that can get in your milk bucket besides her foot. I do not know, but we always milked from the left side, not sure why. Just do not upset her or she will hold the milk. Good luck.

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад

      We squirt the first shot of milk onto a cloth so we can check it is sound and strain the lot before it goes into a container. We leave a lot for the calf at the moment so she never tries to hold out on us. I wonder if that will be the case in a month or so, when Beatrix is a hungrier little heifer.

  • @1425race
    @1425race 3 месяца назад

    I can see a cheese factory starting soon.

  • @billradford2128
    @billradford2128 3 месяца назад

    I am sorry but I have no udder information. 😁 Good luck!

  • @jimilipi5493
    @jimilipi5493 2 месяца назад +1

    First, you need a milking stool on one leg attached to your ass and hold the bucket between your legs to prevent it from falling. use milking grease and keep your hands clean and disinfected by not petting the cow during milking. have a goo time😊

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  2 месяца назад

      I haven't made a one leg stool yet, but having it attached to my butt is a thing I wouldn't have thought of. Also, I have switched to holding the pail between my legs, and it's a game changer. Thanks for that- now when I milk, there's a nice foam growing on there from getting it in nice and quick.

  • @deeannec2000
    @deeannec2000 3 месяца назад

    Lean on her... it works

  • @billroberts3864
    @billroberts3864 3 месяца назад

    Astrid seems to be tolerating you milking her as long as the has apples and grain to eat. You will have plenty of milk to make tasty cheese for your family. Blessings to you three.

  • @peterlee440
    @peterlee440 3 месяца назад

    Hi you two! Peter here, I have sent parcel. Give me a shout so I know you have it.
    Cheers!

  • @jennellebell5901
    @jennellebell5901 3 месяца назад +1

    Just 2c… head in flank, milking technique for goats is way different to cows… in cows I reach way high and strip down in long strokes. Watch the calf the way she “bucks” the bag and pulls down… copy that. Just how we do it at “The Bluff Dairy”.

    • @jennellebell5901
      @jennellebell5901 3 месяца назад

      Lovely udder BTW!

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад

      She does love the head in the flank. Once I am locked in there, she rests just a little weight on me and I can feel her relax. It is quite something else. I haven't even had a tail swipe for over a week. A very nice cow she has turned out to be.

    • @jennellebell5901
      @jennellebell5901 3 месяца назад

      @@FreeRangeLiving❤

    • @jennellebell5901
      @jennellebell5901 2 месяца назад

      @@FreeRangeLiving file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/cc/12/2C61ACC8-C5B2-4495-B61B-61C41BE97F00/IMG_4314.MOV

    • @jennellebell5901
      @jennellebell5901 2 месяца назад

      @@FreeRangeLiving file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/cc/12/2C61ACC8-C5B2-4495-B61B-61C41BE97F00/IMG_4314.MOV

  • @johnross440
    @johnross440 3 месяца назад

    How’s the boat coming?…. John, Ontario, Canada

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад +1

      Managed to find a few hours, but it got shuffled down the list a bit last month.

    • @johnross440
      @johnross440 3 месяца назад

      @@FreeRangeLiving Thanks for responding Troy… John

  • @jonboyle326
    @jonboyle326 3 месяца назад +1

    reminded me of bud tingwell milking tulip his wifes cow after she died he had to wear her dress and hat for the cow to let down

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад

      Pascy will look a sight in my overalls if I kick the can...

  • @casmms8362
    @casmms8362 3 месяца назад

    Dont let her kick you, for US farmers, milk morning and evening

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад

      I might start an afternoon milking, as she comes reliably now for apples to the same place I milk her in the morning and petitions for treats.

  • @braddobson2060
    @braddobson2060 3 месяца назад

    You will be getting apple juice from the cow

  • @rebeccahuffman529
    @rebeccahuffman529 2 месяца назад

    Promo sm

  • @Samroble1
    @Samroble1 2 месяца назад

    I need to start farming before the Great War starts. Many people will be starving to death because they’re too reliant on the grocery stores. I will buy goats if I can

  • @sallyvernon2375
    @sallyvernon2375 3 месяца назад

    maybe watch some experienced milkers and having the baby so close to such a large, unpredictable animal seems unsafe

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад

      Troy has been OK with the baby so far and seems fairly predictable when hes sober.

  • @the-naked-sailor
    @the-naked-sailor 3 месяца назад

    Jesus Troy, that was a bit unfair throwing milk at the cow for being annoyed a human was milking her.
    I hope you don't treat pascale like that.

    • @FreeRangeLiving
      @FreeRangeLiving  3 месяца назад

      She never gets annoyed at me so I must be doing ok and also, I've never had to throw milk on her.

    • @the-naked-sailor
      @the-naked-sailor 3 месяца назад

      @@FreeRangeLiving lolololoololololololololol try it, but make sure you film it and don't do it while pasky is holding the little one. You may rack up 100 million views with a video titled: "Wife gets angry when I throw milk at her"