Hi - I've got a question regarding milking Dexters. I have 2 established cows and 1 heifer, and all are set to calve about next April at this point. The cows were wild heifers when I bought them, but in the years I've had them I've worked with them enough that both will let me touch them and one will allow me to milk her. However, because I have only one pasture with just an open shelter, I am not able to separate the calves and cows at all. So, what milking I have done has been with the calf slobbering away at the other teats as I milk one.
Next year, my idea is to sell the calf of the best milker as a bottle calf, thus eliminating that problem, and allowing me to finally get some milk. Now for the question - Will the other two calves try to nurse from the cow without a calf? Will she try to steal a calf? Will it break her heart to have no calf while the others have theirs? Thanks.
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