How many teats does a cow have: what are the shapes of the udder and the number of milkings

Before buying a cow for milk production, experienced farmers check how many teats a cow has. Specialists pay attention to the appearance of the udder and the method of attachment. Having a large udder does not guarantee high milk yields. The choice of a reliable animal supplier, which guarantees a good heredity of cows, is of great importance. After all, the fate of the livestock farm depends on this.

Cow udder shape

The udder of cattle is located in the groin area. It includes two abdominal lobes, two femoral. Proper care of livestock, feeding, milking twice a day lead to an increase in milk production.The suitability of a cow for machine milking is determined by the type and size of the udder.

The size of the heifer's mammary glands increases by 2 months of lactation. Over time, they decrease, productivity becomes less. The size of the udder increases, by the seventh lactation the shape is formed. By the time of aging, the udder withers.

The following types of udders are distinguished in cattle:

1. Bath - egg-shaped, wide, deep and elongated.
2. The bowl is characterized by an oval shape, has a large volume.
3. The funnel has a rounded appearance, narrowing towards the bottom. The mammary glands are located close to each other.
4. Goat is characterized by underdeveloped abdominal lobes, posterior lobes sag.
5. Primitive has the shape of a hemisphere and large nipples. The primitive form indicates insufficient care for animals.

How many teats does a cow have

The number of teats per udder does not affect the hand milking process. This question arises when using a milking machine. The device contains four bowls, so the third pair of nipples will be superfluous. The correct structure of the animal includes 4 nipples. The presence of additional organs or their insufficient number is not uncommon. A well developed udder contains 5 or more teats. The glands may be fully functional or underdeveloped. The presence of three teats in a cow is considered abnormal and makes milking difficult.

Additional processes without mammary glands interfere during milkings. Usually they are located between the main boobs, but they can also grow on the nipples themselves.

It was believed that the presence of additional boobs is a sign of a dairy cow. But experienced manufacturers say that this leads to the development of mastitis. Sometimes the main nipples grow together with the accessory nipples, the process cistern narrows, and milk flow is difficult.

Additional organs are a hereditary trait, transmitted through the maternal and paternal lines. Before buying a cow, you need to conduct a thorough examination for additional processes. Reliable livestock producers offer animals without flaws.

Capacity determination

Milk is constantly produced in the mammary glands, and is excreted during milking or feeding the calf. After filling the alveoli and small ducts, the milk secret accumulates in the cistern. Intra-udder pressure affects the capacitive characteristic of the udder. The tone of the walls and the amount of milk depend on the pressure.

When the pressure in the capillaries equals the pressure inside the udder, the milk production stops.

Highly productive cows 12 hours after milking fill capacitive tanks by 90%. A large organ allows you to increase the time between milkings without reducing the amount of milk produced. The maximum single milk yield depends on the capacity of the tanks and the age of the cow. The capacity is determined according to the following table:

123 and more Daily milk yield, kg 23.64Capacity of tanks, kg 8.71 56-58 56-5758-59

Indicators	Cow age (lactation)
15.0	21.66
12.27	13.74		Capacity Fill (%)

With frequent stimulation of the nipples, oxytocin is produced, the pituitary gland is stimulated, hormones are released that start the milk-forming process. Proper feeding at three times milking allows you to increase milk yield: , %

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Most desirable udder shape

When choosing a cow, a thorough examination of the udder takes place. The goat form does not give high milk yields. The milking machine is not suitable for him, and manual milking is difficult. Cows with an underdeveloped or primitive appearance are also not suitable for milk production. In the funnel shape, the milk is not evenly distributed among the shares, because of this, the milking process is difficult.

Tub-shaped and bowl-shaped are most preferred. Such forms have capacious tanks, have a good capacity, and are suitable for machine and manual milking. The cupped lobes fill with milk evenly and the udder is comfortably placed on the belly.

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