I have a heifer due to calve any day. One of my books says to start milking right away after the calf drops. The other book says to leave the two alone for 48 hrs. So, experienced Countrysiders what do you say? I am sooo confused. Thank you in advance and eagerly awaiting your responses.

-- Stephanie Masters (ajsd@gateway.net), August 31, 2000

Answers

The first milk produced will be clostrum, which is rich in antibiotics and other goodies the calf will need. It is not usable by you anyway, although some do freeze some for emergencies later. Follow the advice and leave the calf on for a day or two.

If this is a first calving heifer you need to watch her to make sure she can birth the calf OK. You may have to be ready to give her some help. The decision on whether or not to help is a judgement call. If the nose and front feet are exposed for more than one hour I make preparations to pull the calf. I separate out my first calving heifers for that purpose.

There isn't anything prettier than seeing a newborn calf finding its legs and belly up to the breakfast bar. Some first calving cows get skidish about nursing since it is new to them. You may have to restrain her and help get the calf started. After both get the idea they are fine.

-- Ken S. in TN (scharabo@aol.com), August 31, 2000.

I would milk her some right away, not only to save colostrum for other animals on your place, but to get relieve the pressure of all of the colostrum, and to get her used to be milked. If she is a personable cow already this should be nothing more than milking her as she licks off her calf, holding a container in one had while milking with the other. If she is wild and you will have to go through a big catch and tie routine, feet stomping and her pissed, than yes put it off until she has bonded to the calf and the calf has had a chance to learn how to nurse. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), August 31, 2000.

Our new Jersey was a first calf heifer. The first six milkings are considered colostrum. We save colostrum from the first day (the richest and the best) and freeze it for emergencies. We leave the calf with her for those three days, but also milk her. Wouldn't do to have her get too tight of an udder. She would be so tender and sore that it would be a circus if you wait for day three to milk.

We took time twice a day before she calved to handle her udder and nipples(don't express any milk). Stroking, soothing, rubbing, for several minutes to get her used to what will take place during milking. You can save yourself a lot of grief if the first milking is not the first time her nipples have been touched.

A first calf heifer under the best conditions will have considerable swelling and tenderness in her udder. Be patient and remember how sore she might be. It will go away in a few days.

-- homestead2 (homestead@monroecty.net), August 31, 2000.

Thank you! I do so appreciate this forum. The knowledge and generosity is wonderful. I have raised a few calves but this is the first one to be born on the place. I'm nervous and excited. I'm out there every couple of hours checking on her and waiting and waiting. I've been washing her off and rubbing her udder with "Udder Butter" for a few days and now I may have to stop. She is leaking milk and sometimes it actually squirts out in a stream. She has looked ready for a week, loose and jiggly around back with mucous, bagged up and leaking. I've memorized all my books so now there is nothing to do but wait. Maybe it's true about a watched pot never boiling? But I still think I'll keep up the midnight check with flashlight just in case she needs help. Thanks everyone.

-- Stephanie Masters (ajsd@gateway.net), August 31, 2000.