Since childhood, each of us knows the taste of milk. However, not all city dwellers know how to milk cows. In fact, this is a rather complex and time-consuming process that requires certain skills. In this article, you will learn about the basic intricacies of manual and hardware technology.
Preparatory stage
Before milking cows, you need to perform a few simple manipulations. This will allow the animals to prepare for the process itself, save your time and increase the volume of milk received.
Before proceeding directly to the seizure, the udder should be kneaded with light massaging movements. It is advisable to start from the top, gradually moving to the nipples. Such a massage is considered an excellent prophylactic that helps to avoid the appearance of mastitis. In addition, such actions contribute to the stimulation of ovarian activity, which, in turn, improves fertilization. Nulliparous individuals are advised to massage several months before the expected calving and stop it for 25-30 days.
How to milk a cow by hand?
First of all, you need to lubricate your palms with petroleum jelly. This will minimize friction and the unpleasant sensations associated with it. Having taken a nipple in each hand, grab their base with your thumb and forefinger. These actions will block the access of milk back to the udder.
After this, you can begin to alternately clamp the middle, ring finger and little finger. Experienced milkmaids are able to perform about a hundred such movements per minute. If you do everything correctly, then milk will start to come out of the udder. You can milk the front and then the rear nipples. And you can grab them diagonally.
Before milking the cows, a bucket is placed under the previously rubbed udder. To prevent the animal from accidentally overturning the tank, it is recommended to fix it with your feet. To make sure that the cattle is completely healthy, you first need to milk a small amount of milk into a separate container. Bloody clots indicate that the animal has mastitis. At the end of the process, you need to grease the cattle nipples with a special cream or ghee. This will soften the skin and prevent cracks.
How to milk a cow with a milking machine?
In addition to manual techniques, there is also machine technology. If the first option is suitable for small private farms in which there are only a few animals, the second is optimal for large farms that contain more than a dozen individuals.
By analogy with the previous method, before milking the cows, you need to wash and massage their udder. After that, milking glasses, commonly known as breast pumps, are put on the nipples, and the device turns on. This is a fairly quick manipulation, saving a lot of time and effort.
At the end of the process, the udder must be emptied of the breast pumps and the equipment thoroughly flushed. This procedure can be repeated two to three times a day.
Process optimization
Having figured out how to milk a cow, you need to think about organizing this process. This is especially true for large farms. Today, there are two main ways.
In the first case, employees have to work with two milking units. This allows you to timely cope with all operations to obtain milk. In the second case, the process takes place in a specially designated room. The whole herd is assigned there. Subsequently, animals are divided into small groups. It is important to take into account the amount of milk yield, the rate of milk output, the period of lactation and pregnancy.
Automated process control
Having figured out how to milk a cow properly with your hands and using a milking machine, it is important to understand how to monitor the progress of this procedure. If everything is more or less clear with the manual process, then the automated will have to pay a little more attention.
Control is carried out by means of transparent viewing cones of milking cups or special hoses. If for some reason the animal suddenly stops giving milk, then you need to easily massage the udder until the process is fully resumed. This should be done without removing the teat cups.
Sometimes breast pumps can fall off the nipples. In this case, you need to disconnect the device from the vacuum, wash the fallen glass, return it to its place and continue the process. To avoid tipping over the milking unit, it must be placed closer to the front limbs of the cow.
Useful Tips
Any experienced milkmaid knows that in this difficult matter, not only the correct technique is important, but also a good attitude to the animal. Before starting the process, you need to wash your hands and put on a clean bathrobe. It is also advisable to offer the cattle some treat, scratch its neck and let it sniff you. Established contact will make the cow calmer and more flexible.
Another nuance of milking is that the animal must see that a person is approaching it. Cows are quite shy, so it is recommended to approach them from the front. For the first time, it is advisable to bind young individuals until they get used to everything that happens. Typically, cows quickly adapt, and the need for such control disappears on its own.
One of the main conditions for caring for milking individuals is regular massage of the udder, imitating the actions of the calf. It helps prevent the development of many diseases, including mastitis.