From all the homesteading skills that we’ve learned thus far, buying and keeping a family milk cow has been by far the most intimidating.
And the most rewarding.
Thankfully it ended up not being as hard as I had thought, but a lot of research went into it before we brought our sweet Jersey home.
From milk fever, to mastitis issues, you need to know a few things before buying a milk cow.
Knowing the history of the cow will help you to know whether she will be a good fit for your homestead.
Of course, you can be lied to. Someone desperately trying to get rid of a cow that should be culled might lie to you.
That’s always the chance you take when buying an animal.
However, knowing the right questions to ask before buying the cow will help.
Picture of our cute baby calf that was born this afternoon!
Tips For Buying A Milk Cow
Buy an Experienced Cow
For first time family milk cow owners, I recommend buying an experienced cow that has been in milk at least once before.
There are two reasons for this: raising a bottle calf to become a milk cow takes a long time.
At least 3 years before you will be milking.
Second, milking an already trained cow is totally different than training a cow.
If you are a first time milk maid, get a cow that has had at least one calf prior, preferably pregnant with her second.
Be Prepared
Milk cows are more prone to milk fever, ketosis and other mineral deficiencies.
Being prepared will help you prevent sickness, as well as loss of lie in your farm animals.
These essentials in keeping a family cow are necessary for a positive experience.
Udder Formation, and Working Quarters
A low hanging udder can cause problems with milking.
If you are milking by machine, a low hanging udder can be really hard to get under to attach the inflations. Hand milking can be very hard on your back with a low hanging udder as well.
Look at teat positioning, as well as the length of teats.
Hand milking requires longer teats, but todays dairies have bred for shorter teats, which work better with machines.
Questions To Ask Before Buying A Milk Cow
Any prolapse with previous delivery?
Prolapse in dairy cows is a serious condition that requires a vets care. It happens during the end of pregnancy, and can cause serious issues. For me this would be a deal breaker.
Any delivery Issues?
Did her calf need to be pulled? Was the calf in the right position?
Problems getting Bred?
The reason for a milk cow is for the milk. To get milk, she needs to have a calf. You don’t need a cow that has trouble getting bred.
An unbreedable cow is a cull cow, unfortunately.
Has she had milk fever before? Mastitis?
Cows that are 4 years and older are prone to milk fever.
Having calcium injections or boluses on hand can save your cow.
Ask the previous owner what their experience has been, and what form of medication they used.
Our first cow went down twice with milk fever a few days after she calved.
We thought we would lose her, but thanks to having calcium gluconate on hand, we were able to save her.
We did end up having to run to the vet and getting more, but only used one more bottle and she was up. It was a very eventful day!
Temperament when just calved?
Does she become mean after having a calf? Their natural mothering instincts cut in, but you don’t want a mean milk cow on your hands.
What kind of feed is she on? Grain fed?
Most cows need grain to thrive. Certain dairy breeds do better on grass, but the high production cows will need grain to keep their condition. Don’t underestimate what you need to keep your cow healthy.
Halter Trained? Stanchion Trained?
Our cow isn’t halter trained. It hasn’t been a problem. I prefer a cow that isn’t “in your pocket” but she comes nicely for grain into her stanchion.
Previous Deworming Practices?
Deworming is a good practice to have. We deworm at least once a year, preferable before she calves.
Vaccination Protocol
Has she been vaccinated, and with what vaccines? We aren’t hugely provax here, but it’s a good idea to know her history before or when you buy a family milk cow.
Knowing what questions to ask when buying a family milk cow will give you a leg up to a healthy and successful start to your family milk cow journey.
Keeping a family milk cow has been a big blessing to our farm. Not only does she feed our family, she also feeds several calves, pigs, and cats.
There are pros and cons to milking every day, but the benefits outweigh the negatives.
Cow Check Up Form
You can download this free cow check up form. Fill out the form at least once a year for accurate recordkeeping.