How many times a day a cow is milked: the number of milkings per day and what affects
Compliance with the technique and regime of milking is considered in cattle breeding one of the most important factors that ensure the productivity and he alth of dairy breed animals. Milk yield depends on how many times a day farmers milk a cow, along with the physiological parameters of cattle, nutrition and living conditions. The correct milking schedule allows you to competently stimulate the lactation of the animal, avoid milk stagnation and the development of udder diseases.
How many times a day should a cow be milked
Among the parameters for determining the frequency of milking, one should single out the lactation phase and the productivity of the animal.Within two weeks after calving, the cow is milked, milking 4-5 times a day. Then the cattle is milked 3 times a day. It is necessary to milk a cow by the hour, maintaining equal periods of time, the longest of which should not exceed 9 hours.
Gradually, with the establishment of lactation (with an average daily milk yield of 8-10 liters), they switch to a double morning-evening schedule. If there is a lot of milk, and the cow is having a hard time, leave the three-time regimen.
There is a "morning-lunch-evening" scheme, which is mainly used in a permanent format on highly productive dairy breeds. In some cases, such a schedule allows you to increase milk yield by 10-20%, but sometimes it does not significantly affect the amount of milk, which is determined experimentally and by calculation.
Switch to single milking a week before launch.
What can affect the number of milkings per day
The frequency of milking, as well as the volume of milk yield, is determined by a combination of factors.
The number of milkings is influenced by:
- stages of the life cycle (after calving, the multiplicity is increased, then gradually reduced);
- physiological characteristics of cattle (udder size);
- severity of lactation (the formation of a large amount of milk, its leakage requires additional manipulations);
- diet (an abundance of juicy food stimulates lactation);
- he alth condition (cracks in the nipples require a gentle treatment, and bursting of the udder requires timely emptying).
The frequency of milking is set by rationally evaluating all the parameters. Equal time intervals must be observed. When milking twice a day, it is recommended to maintain a gap of 12 hours, with a three-time scheme, the animal is milked after 7-8 hours. If additional milking does not bring results, it is advisable to switch to the “morning-evening” schedule.
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