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A cow kicking while milking is a common complaint among 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 handle it before milking. The reasons for this behavior are varied. Since a cow is a strong animal, hitting it 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 ways to calm a kicking cow, it is necessary to understand the reasons for this behavior. The main factors that cause a negative reaction in the animal during the milking procedure are the following:
- Stressful situation. A cow may kick during milking after experiences, for example, during transportation or a change in environment.
- Mastitis and other inflammatory diseases of the udder. Such pathologies cause pain to the individual at any stage of the disease.
- Various injuries, wounds, cracks, scratches, as well as insect bites on the udder or teats.
- Incorrect milking technique and udder massage, causing pain and discomfort.
- Lack of a clear milking schedule and daily routine. This provokes the individual to have a negative reaction during milking.
- Excessive fatigue, tiredness of the animal.
- 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 animal’s youth. Such an individual still needs to be accustomed to the milking procedure.
The owner needs to understand that this behavior is caused by serious reasons, and not by the violent temper of the animal.
What to do if a cow kicks while milking
Even if a cow struggles during milking and doesn’t want to let anyone near her, she still needs to be milked. Otherwise, mastitis may develop. Therefore, the problem needs to be resolved as quickly as possible.
First of all, you should examine the udder and nipples 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 other reasons, which should be eliminated in time by the following actions:
- determine an exact milking schedule and strictly adhere to it;
- before starting the procedure, you can distract the animal with tasty food - crushed grain, vegetables;
- use special lubricants for the udder and nipples so as not to dry out the skin;
- place a damp cloth on the cow’s back, which will calm and distract the animal;
- use correct milking technique that does not cause discomfort;
- During the milking process, you should speak kindly to the animal, stroke it, and also ensure a calm environment and turn on dim lights.
If none of the options solve the problem, the cow continues to kick, many experienced cattle breeders tie her limbs. This will help make the milk collection procedure as safe as possible for humans. The knot should not be made tight; it should be tied in a figure eight. At the same time, they approach the cow from the front. If the animal does not allow a person to approach it 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 secure it. After 4-5 such fixations, the individual gets used to the procedure and then perceives it calmly.
Many cattle breeders use special devices made of galvanized or stainless steel on their farms for kicking cows - anti-kicking devices. The device is universal, its size is easy to adjust. It's easy to use. With the help of such a device, the hind limbs of the cow are securely fixed.
You can make such a unit yourself. For this you will need 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 with a larger diameter than the previous ones, springs, and rubber caps. A spring is inserted into a tube of one type. Those tubes with a smaller diameter are inserted into the concave one in turn. Caps are placed on the edges.
Using anti-kick is very simple. Its lower part is attached to the front limb of a kicking cow.Use a button to adjust the length so that the second end of the device can be secured to the back. In this case, the cow's limb is raised. In this position, the animal cannot kick, and milking proceeds calmly. The hind limb can be fixed in the same way.
How to train a cow to milk
To prevent a cow from kicking when milking, it is necessary to accustom her to this procedure several months before the first calving. To do this, while cleaning the first heifer, you need to carefully feel and massage the udder. For her, this creates a feeling of calm in the presence of a person. After the first calving, milking is done more often than 5 times a day. During this period, you need to start milking from one teat, after 2-3 times you can try milking from two teats at the same time, if the cow tolerates the procedure calmly and does not kick. You may need an assistant for the first time, until the kicking individual gets used to milking and does not become nervous at the same time. You can scratch her sides with a special brush and give her warm, sweetened water before milking. You should approach the first heifer from the front; it is better to fix her head. For patient breeders, the animal stops kicking during milking within 1-2 weeks.
You need to accustom the first heifer to milking carefully, showing patience, it is important to do this as quickly as possible. An obstinate individual needs to timely empty the udder of milk, otherwise it changes its characteristics (taste, color, consistency) and becomes unsuitable for consumption.
Serious 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 moos.
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 fix it. Usually, a loving and experienced owner can deal with a cow that kicks during milking within a couple of weeks, since such behavior of the animal has nothing to do with its character.
