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If you are new to cows and large animals and think you might want your own supply of fresh raw milk, we would suggest getting an older cow. One that is already trained for milking and is used to a headlock. If you do buy a cow already trained ask if you can watch how they milk her. This will help you understand what she is used to during milking. However, if you feel like you can take on the challenge and get a heifer and train her yourself, we are here to give you a few tips from what we learned with our first heifer.
Our very first milk cow was a bred Jersey heifer. She posed to be quite the challenge to train since when we got her she was skittish around people. And we had less than nine months to train her.
WARNING: Be prepared to get muddy, kicked, and stepped on. Especially in the first couple months of milking. But don't give up. Towards the end of her first freshening, Bella (our cow) started to behave a lot better. Now after having 3 months off and starting her second freshening she is doing amazing and very rarely kicks.
Things you will need to train your heifer:
A headlock or somewhere to confine her.
Feed. This can be grain, alfalfa, hay, grass or something special saved specifically for milking time.
Time, patience, and dedication.
How to train a heifer for milking.
Step 1:
Get your heifer used to the headlock. First we started by putting Bella's grain in a dish on the ground in front of the headlock. We would leave the gate open so if she wanted to she could back out into the pasture. Eventually, we moved the grain into the headlock but we didn't lock it right away so she could sill back out if she wanted to. We wanted her to feel comfortable and safe in the head lock, before we locked it. This way when she did realize she was stuck in there she didn't panic too much because she already felt safe.
Step 2:
Get your heifer used to being touched and brushed. This is also a good time to get her used to fly spray. At first we would brush the fly spray on and eventually sprayed it on her. Some cows have a special spot they really like to be petted or scratched. Hopefully you can find that spot on your heifer and use that as a reward.
Step 3:
Rub your heifer on her belly and udder. This will get her used to the sensation of being milked. Run your hand down each teat. She will most likely try to kick when you first start, so make sure you are standing out of the way. Stand just behind her shoulder then you can rest your one arm on her back to keep in balance with her and reach back to her udder with your other hand. If she kicks it is VERY important to keep your hand on her udder. If you jump back when she starts to kick she will start to realize that kicking works. And that is something you defiantly do not want. Wait until she is standing still to take your hand away. This will help her to realize that kicking doesn't do any good.
Step 4:
Be consistent. Every single day put her in the headlock leading up to her due date. Work with her everyday even if it's only 5 or 10 minutes. All that hard work will pay off when it is finally time to start milking.
Here is one last tip to help you train your heifer for milking:
Teach your heifer the two finger cue. It is important to be able to move your cow into the right position. To move Bella's backend over when she is in her headlock we put our finger tips against her hip with the verbal command "over". Start out with light pressure and gradually increase pressure until she steps over. As you continue to use this technique you will find that you use less and less pressure. Be sure to praise her when she obeys. And make sure to tell anyone else who is working with your cow this trick.
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