Cow's milk brings great benefits to people. This product contains a large number of proteins that promote the formation of new cells. The drink also contains vitamins and other valuable substances. The greatest Homemade milk is beneficial. At the same time, not everyone knows when you can start drinking milk after a cow calves. It is not permissible to do this right away.
How long does a cow produce colostrum?
Immediately after giving birth, the cow produces colostrum. It is a yellow liquid with a viscous consistency. This mass contains many natural immunomodulating agents and beneficial elements that are important for the baby.The product includes proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals. In the first couple of hours, the calf is applied to the udder and promotes the distribution of milk.
In the calf, the abomasum is considered the most developed proventriculus. This is where milk enters from the esophagus. This section holds approximately 1.5 liters of colostrum. With a larger volume there is a risk of digestive disorders. The calf feeds this way for at least a week.
Colostrum gradually turns into milk. After 10 days it acquires its normal composition. For the milking of animals, the presence of a baby nearby is of great importance. This is very important for first-calf heifers. Newborn cubs develop an udder and drink milk for 5-6 days. However, they will not be able to suck everything out. The more liquid comes out, the more it appears.
It is important to consider: if milk remains in the udder, it becomes rancid and decreases in volume.
It is not recommended to consume colostrum in its pure form. It is characterized by high fat content. The composition of the product is suitable specifically for children. Some people bake the mixture in the oven because of its nutritional characteristics.
How to properly milk a cow
To get a lot of milk from a cow, it is important to milk her correctly. It is worth preparing for this process by increasing the volume of feed. It is recommended to do this immediately after mating. Improved nutrition helps to accumulate nutrients and prepare for childbirth.
The cow's udder is highly sensitive, so it is recommended to massage it very carefully. This helps to achieve good lactation. To protect the skin from microdamage, it is recommended to use special ointments.
To distinguish colostrum from mature milk, it is recommended to heat it at an elevated temperature. It is worth considering that colostrum curdles, but milk does not. Particular attention should be paid to primiparous cows that are not adapted to milking. You should be extremely careful and patient with these animals.
Volume of milk from a cow after calving
A number of factors influence a cow's productivity. These include nutrition, care features, and breed. Age and even season are important. In winter, lactation is less. Therefore, pregnancy of cows is usually planned for the winter. Farmers claim that first-time mothers produce 7-9 liters of milk. Cows reach their highest level of productivity by 4-5 lactation. At this time, they produce, on average, 12 liters of milk. It is high quality and contains a lot of proteins and fats. You can even make cheese from it.
Yaroslavl and Holstein cows are considered the most productive, producing up to 40 liters of milk per day.
To increase milk yield, it is recommended to use the following methods:
- provide animals with balanced nutrition, since large animals bring a lot of milk;
- if necessary, it is permissible to add vitamins and minerals to the menu;
- monitor the temperature - it should be no less than +5 degrees and no more than +20;
- ensure silence in the room - intense noise negatively affects productivity parameters;
- remove horns from animals - this will help avoid a lack of selenium, which is spent on the growth of horns, improve the condition of the body and increase productivity parameters;
- take good care of animals and regularly walk them.
Possible problems
Sometimes during lactation certain difficulties arise. Common problems include:
- Low milk yield. They are caused by impaired milking technique or health problems. In such a situation, it is recommended to milk cows strictly according to a schedule, regularly massage the udder, follow sanitary rules, and introduce food into the diet to stimulate lactation. If this does not have an effect, you should suspect problems in the body’s functioning. In such a situation, the help of a veterinarian is required.
- Lack of milk. This is a more complex situation called agalactia. Its appearance is caused by inflammation, impaired milk let-down reflex, or lack of nutrition. During pregnancy, many important processes occur in the body. They make the body weaker. A veterinarian can help eliminate serious health problems. Sometimes it is enough to make adjustments to the diet and improve the living conditions of the pet.
- Udder swelling. There are situations when blood circulation and lymph circulation are impaired in the udder. This leads to the appearance of swelling. The cause of the problems is an excess of sour and succulent food in the diet and a lack of physical activity. If swelling does not go away within a week after birth, the help of a veterinarian is necessary.
It is permissible to consume milk approximately a week after calving. However, its quantity is influenced by many different factors. These include the conditions of detention, diet, breed, age, and health of the animal.If you carefully look after your cow, her milk yield will remain consistently high.
