How to wean a cow from kicking during milking

Cow kicking during milking is a common complaint of many owners. This problem is not uncommon. Often the cow twitches so much that it does not even allow her to touch the udder and process it before milking. The reasons for this behavior are varied. Since a cow is a strong animal, her blow can have serious consequences. The owner needs to be careful to understand such a manifestation, find the cause and eliminate it.

Why does a cow kick when milking?

Before looking for a means to calm a kicking cow, it is necessary to understand the reasons for such behavior. The main factors that cause a negative reaction of the animal during the milking procedure are as follows:

1. Stressful situation. A cow may kick during milking after experiences, such as during transportation, a change in environment.
2. Mastitis and other inflammatory diseases of the udder. Such pathologies cause pain to individuals at any stage of the development of the disease.
3. Various injuries, wounds, cracks, scratches, as well as insect bites on the udder or teats.
4. Incorrect milking technique and udder massage causing pain and discomfort.
5. Lack of a clear milking schedule and daily routine. This provokes an individual to a negative reaction during milking.
6. Excessive fatigue, fatigue of the animal.
7. Extraneous irritants during the milking procedure, for example, noise, sharp unexpected sounds, too bright lighting, the presence of strangers.

Another common reason for this behavior is the youth of the animal. Such an individual still needs to be accustomed to the milking procedure.

The owner needs to understand that such behavior is caused by serious reasons, and not by the violent temper of the animal.

What to do if a cow kicks while being milked

Even if the cow fights during milking, does not want to let anyone in, she still needs to be milked. Otherwise, mastitis may develop. Therefore, the problem must be solved as soon as possible.

First of all, the udder and teats should be examined for injuries, cracks, bruises, insect bites, and signs of inflammation. If such pathologies with the mammary gland are detected, all measures must be taken to eliminate them. During the treatment period, the cow should be milked very carefully, without causing her unnecessary suffering.

A cow can kick during milking for a number of reasons that should be eliminated in time by such actions:

• determine the exact milking schedule and strictly adhere to it;
• before starting the procedure, you can distract the animal with delicious food – crushed grain, vegetables;
• use special lubricants for the udder and nipples so as not to overdry the skin;
• put a damp cloth on the back of the cow, which will calm and distract the animal;
• use the correct milking technique that does not cause discomfort;
• in the process of milking, you should gently talk to the animal, stroke it, and also ensure a calm environment, turn on the dimmed light.

If none of the options solved the problem, the cow continues to kick, many experienced breeders tie her limbs. This will help make the procedure for collecting milk as safe as possible for a person. The knot should not be made tight, you need to tie it with a figure eight. At the same time, they approach the cow from the front. If the animal does not allow a person to approach him at all, kicks and fights, you can form a loop on the rope in advance and grab the forelimb into it, lift it up and fix it. After 4-5 such fixations, the individual gets used to the procedure and then perceives it calmly.

Many ranchers use on their farms special devices made of galvanized or stainless steel for kicking cows – anti-kick. The device is universal, its size is easy to adjust. It is easy to use. With the help of such a device, the hind limbs of the cow are securely fixed.

Such a unit can be made by hand. This will require a pair of curved pipes of the same size and shape. They should have holes in the middle. You also need to prepare a concave tube of a larger diameter than the previous ones, springs, rubber caps. Inserted into a tube of one type along a spring. Those tubes that are smaller in diameter are inserted into the concave in turn. Caps are put on the edges.

It’s very easy to use anti-bounce. Its lower part is hooked to the forelimb of a kicking cow. The button adjusts the length so that the second end of the device can be fixed on the back. In this case, the limb of the cow is elevated. In this position, the animal cannot kick, and milking is calm. In the same way, you can fix the hind limb.

How to tame a cow for milking

To prevent the cow from kicking during milking, it is necessary to accustom her to this procedure a few months before the first calving. To do this, while cleaning the heifer, you need to carefully feel and massage the udder. It creates a feeling of calm in the presence of a person. After the first calving, milking is carried out more often 5 times a day. During this period, you need to start milking from one teat, after 2-3 times you can try to milk for two teats at the same time, if the cow tolerates the procedure quietly and does not kick. You may need an assistant for the first time, until the kicking individual gets used to milking, and will not be nervous at the same time. You can scratch its sides with a special brush, give warm sweetened water before milking. The heifer should be approached from the front, it is better to fix its head. In patient breeders, the animal stops kicking during milking within 1-2 weeks.

It is necessary to accustom the first-calf heifer to milking carefully, showing patience, it is important to do this as quickly as possible. An obstinate individual needs timely release of the udder from milk, otherwise it changes its characteristics (taste, color, texture), becomes unsuitable for consumption.

Severe consequences may include:

• agalactia until the next calving;
• development of inflammatory processes in the udder, including mastitis;
• death.

In addition, the cow experiences severe pain when the udder is full, behaves restlessly and mooing.

Conclusion

A cow kicks during milking due to certain reasons that negatively affect her behavior. The owner will need attention to the animal and patience to understand the problem and quickly eliminate it. Usually a loving and experienced owner can deal with a cow that kicks during milking in a couple of weeks, since such behavior of the animal has nothing to do with its character.