Today I’m inviting ya’ll to put on your muck boots and come down to the barn with me!
I’ll introduce you to Miss Mabel and walk you through my basic cow milking routine.
Are ya ready? Let’s go!
How to Milk a Cow
What You Can Expect to See in this Milking Video:
- Me getting whacked in the face with Mabel’s tail multiple times.
- My super high-tech milking stool.
- Mabel perfectly illustrating how fidgety cows can be…
- The chicken that won’t stop laying eggs in the trash can
- The $8 milk strainer I’ve used for YEARS
A Few Things I Forgot to Mention in the Video:
- I milk our cow from the “incorrect” (left) side, as you can see in the video. Traditionally, cows are milked from the right. I say do it from both sides. 😉
- I don’t get a lot of cream unless the calf has been weaned. When I share milk or milk once a day like I am now, the cow tends to save back the hindmilk (the richest, creamiest milk) for her calf.
- If you don’t have any calves on your cow, it is very important to milk your cow completely out— otherwise, you’ll cause her to dry up prematurely.
- I usually clean off the concrete pad where I milk a little more thoroughly. I was a little rushed to complete this video session before nap time was over… whoops.
Some Other Posts That Go Along with This Cow Milking Video:
- My Favorite Home Dairy Recipes
- My homemade udder balm recipe
- 20+ all-natural fly spray recipes, including my favorite!
- How I Milk a Cow Once Per Day
Shannon says
I finally bought raw milk for he first time! I’ve been trying for months and the farm is finally milking. It’s so good! I’m glad I can give my family raw milk. Thanks for all your post’s.
Jill Winger says
Yay Shannon! Isn’t raw milk wonderful stuff? 🙂
Kim says
I’m going to buy a milk cow…it’s my first! I’d love to be able to chat with you to get some questions answered!
Lori D. says
Love the video! Thank you for sharing this! I remember my mother using Bag Balm on us for rashes, etc. when my brothers and I were kids.
Tiffany says
I am curious, why did you choose a brown swiss cow? It seems like a lot of homesteader like the jersey cow. We are starting to research what type of cow we would like. We are planning to look into jersey vs. an irish dexter. Should we look into a brown swiss too?
Jill Winger says
Yes, I know there is a lot of loyalty to Jerseys, but I do love my Brown Swiss. We mainly purchased her b/c that was what was available, but I do think they are a great breed, and pretty darn comparable to a Jersey. Slightly bigger, but still an old-fashioned breed with lots of butterfat and a gentle personality. 😉
Rene Ehrhardt says
I have Brown Swiss cows, and I don’t think they get enough recognition from the homesteading crowd. Hopefully, between Jill and I we can start to change that. 😉 They are a big, hardy cow originally from the Swiss Alps, with a high butterfat percent and a quiet personality. Their calves will net you a much higher amount of beef than that of a Jersey when they’re grown. Jill mentioned in her video, that Oakley doesn’t kick very fast. Jerseys that do kick, tend to be lightning fast when they do. In general, they’ll milk more than a Jersey as well.
Jill Winger says
I agree Rene! I think they are often ignored in the frenzy of praise for Jerseys. 🙂 My Oakley is such a sweetheart. And if my memory serves me correctly, I believe they are one of the oldest known milking breeds.
Laura says
Love this video! So cute, real, and down-to-earth. When I grew up we always used to tie the end of the cow’s tail to her leg so she couldn’t whack us in the face 🙂 Thanks for sharing your barn and milking routine and tips!
Jill Winger says
Thanks Laura! Yeah, I need to tie her tail somewhere, ha!
Adam Vick says
you my freind need to make a video how to squeez a chicken so you can get eggs
Jennifer Woodward says
Thank you so much for this video, as well as your other videos. Very informative!
Jill Winger says
You are very welcome Jennifer!
Cathy says
Loved this! Very applicable to me since I am currently learning how to milk my cow. Thanks a bunch!!!!
Jill Winger says
You betcha Cathy! Hope you and Beltie are getting used to each other. 🙂
Trish says
Great video, Jill! I love how you “keep it real”. There are so many people out there that wait for the perfect environment/equipment/etc. Like Joel Salatin once said (and I am not quoting)that don’t wait until you can do it right. Just do it and then do it again and again and again. Thanks for sharing your expertise (and quiet time/nap time).
Jill Winger says
Yeah— homesteading (and blogging) is definitely helping me to recover from my perfectionist tendencies- haha! 🙂
Kate @venisonfordinner says
My Husband and I used to milk together one on each side. It was quite fun. We’re currently machine milking two cows but when we’re back to hand milking in a couple weeks I look forward to our little ‘dates’. (Our cows are at my Moms house up the road and she will take care of 4 y/o and 8 month old if she’s home). Take whatever dates you can get I say!
Jill Winger says
I can’t wait until my daughter is just a bit older– then we can tag-team the milking! 🙂 (And that sounds like the perfect date time to me.)
Christie B. says
I use the same “high tech” milking stool. Mine is red, though. 😉 Fun to see how someone else milks their cow. Not something we get to share and compare with people very often.
Jill Winger says
I know Christie– it’s kinda a lost art– although I think more and more people are coming back to it. 🙂
Catherine @ Happily Ever Crafter says
Lovely video 🙂 I can hardly wait to have a homestead of my own out in the country with dairy cows! Also, I love that you broke out the Cesar Milan “tshh!” on your dog! Haha 🙂
Jill Winger says
hahaha! Yes– you caught my little dog reprimand! 🙂 I adore Cesar and his methods!!
Lee Traister says
Great video Jill, thanks. I am qurious… Do you milk befor your kids wake up every morning or do they hang out with you in the barn?
Jill Winger says
Well, I used to milk before they got up, but now they are getting up earlier and earlier! So, I usually take my 3 year old with me (she LOVES it– the highlight of her day…) and *usually* the 9 month old is still asleep. Or if he’s awake, I stick him in the stroller and pack him along. 🙂 Generally, my milking time is mass chaos, but I guess I’m used to it now, ha!
Wendy P says
Thanks, that was fun. Milking is something I’ve always wanted to try. I’d also like to see your routine of what you do with the milk after you get it in the pail.
I’m also a fan of brown swiss cows – I think they are really sweet.
Nicola says
Thanks for the video Jill. It was lovely. We hope to have our own little homestead soon so it is interesting to see how things are done. I was half way through the video when my animal loving 8 year old joined me & I had to start again. She was fascinated. She has seen the cows milked with machines at the farm where we get our milk but she loved seeing it being done by hand. She also asked me to ask what breed your dog is? I am normally good with dog breeds but I didn’t recognise your dog’s breed.
Jill Winger says
Aw- so glad you daughter enjoyed it as well! Rue (the dog) is a South African Boreboel– a type of Mastiff. They are fairly rare. 😉
Nicola says
Thanks Jill. I was thinking he was a mastiff x with something so I wasn’t too far off. Will look it up on the www & show her some info later. He/she is a beautiful dog.
Season says
I loved the video. We are moving in a few days to NW North Dakota and finally I will be able to purchase the milk cow I have been wanting forever, so I am sure I will be watching your video again. I’ve been getting raw milk for about three years now from Mennonites down the road I am hoping I can find a source once I get to ND because I can hardly stand to drink store bought milk anymore. I love your blog and I am interested in your oils too. Sometime soon I will be contacting you about the oils to get more info.
Jill Winger says
I hope you get your milk cow soon Season! 🙂 And yes, whenever you are ready, I’d love to tell you more about oils! 🙂
treatlisa says
Wonderful video and such a pretty girl, that Oakley! My routine is very much like yours only I just lay a fly sheet (for horses) over my girl to help with the flies, and as a bonus it has velcro straps at the back that are perfect for securing her tail. Works great for me!
Jill Winger says
The fly sheet idea is brilliant!!
Dolly Sarrio says
I’m so glad you posted this. I would love a cow. I used to watch my granddaddy milk and it was so much fun, but I was small and didn’t actually pay attention to how he did it. Thanks
Jill Winger says
Glad you enjoyed it Dolly!
Valerie Blackketter= says
Hey, I’m new to Prairie Homestead, and I’m really enjoying it. All cows swish their tails for some reason or another, whatever season it is. If our cow gets “swishy”, we tuck her tail between her udder and her leg. This really helps to save wear and tear on my ears and eyeballs. 🙂 I am sure looking forward to reading more and more of your blog.
Jill Winger says
I like that “tucking in the tail” idea!
Amy Kirby says
Hi Jill,
We enjoyed your video. In regards to tying her tail… I always used to get wacked. Then one day I went out to talk to my husband while he was taking a turn milking and saw him loop an end of a piece of baler twine around the tassel of our Jersey’s tail. The other end of the twine was tied to a nail on the barn wall. It works! For the record, he was raise don the farm and I grew up in the city.
However, your walls are concrete, but if you positioned her with her tail near a wooden partition?
Happy milking, Amy
Jill Winger says
Hey Amy,
Yes, I actually had my Grandpa tell me the same thing about tying tails. However, I’ve also heard lots of stories of cows with missing ends of their tail b/c the people would forget to untie them… Knowing my scatter-brained nature, I’m pretty sure that’d happen to me, ha! 😉
Crystal @ Serving Joyfully says
I don’t have a cow, my husband insists that he is NOT a farmer and never will be. I’m still working on him…lol. However, I couldn’t help but comment just to say how cute you are 🙂
Jill Winger says
Heheheh, well thanks! 😉
Liz says
While watching your video my son’s ears perked up when you said, “I encourage you to spend time with your cow.” Now this is all I hear! LOL! He thought that was just so funny! (We live in the city and don’t have any cows.) Great video!! 🙂
Jill Winger says
I love it Liz! That boy needs a cow! 🙂
Jessica says
I am wondering, about how long does it take you to milk one cow? Are you able to still leave for the weekend if you wanted to ?
Jill Winger says
It takes me 10-15 minutes, depending on how much she is producing. 🙂 And yes- I do a once-a-day routine, so I can leave most of the time. I explain how that works here: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/03/how-to-milk-once-a-day.html 🙂
karla edwards says
Thanks so much for this very informative video. I am just starting my homestead and as of yet do not have my milk cow. I have a belted galloway that i would love to try to milk but unfortunately I think she may be too wild. I have been looking at brown swiss cows for my milker but have not decided yet what breed to get. Anyways thank you Jill for the video and I look forward to more to come.
Jill Winger says
Well, I’ll cast a vote for the Brown Swiss- they are lovely cows. 😉
Jane O'Shea says
What a fantastic way to teach about milking. I could have used your video eight years ago, when I bought a Jersey and had to figure all this out on my own! I did figure it out and ended up making cheese and becoming addicted to raw milk and just plain the relaxing ritual of the morning milking. I love that you do not use the head stanchion, although everyone told me there was no way you could milk without it. I just put some yummy chaff, vegetables and molasses in a tire and she ate while I milked. She was older and not halter-broken when we got her, so tying her was not an option. Thank you for bringing milking to the masses. I hope you have inspired many to join the milking club-I cannot wait to start again. =)
Jill Winger says
Aww– thanks for your sweet comment Jane– yes, I heard the same things about stanchions when we purchased her, but I’m glad we didn’t build one. 🙂
Rosz says
Hi Jill, found your web a few weeks ago. My husband an I love Jesus also. We live on a farm in Ct.but we are retired. Hebeing 67 and I’m 63. I milked our cow on the farm I grew up on till I was 18. Then I got married and here I am 45 yrs later, but we have beef cows only. One of my neighbors said if we got a cow she would help with milking, ah tempting for sure! I am making my bet own vanilla b/c of you, and bought a pressure canned. Which I haven’t tried out yet. So far I’ve done water bath, zinc relish,salsa,catsup,wild grape jelly,applesauce,transmitter pickles, and a friend came over before I got my pressure canned and we did beef stew. Looking forward to making my own tomatoe sauce with meat an canning it. Well God bless you Jill and than you for the memories, I just love cows so much.
Colin McGee says
LOVE that dog – made me quite homesick. I used to have a boerboel when I lived in South Africa.
Zabrina says
My dream dog!! Made my heart skip a beat. I’d love to have a barn, cow, chickens, and a boerboel. I shall day dream about this all day now. Haha. Hopefully in the next year or so we will be able to start our lil homesteading adventures. I’ve been eye balling the brown swiss as a possible breed for a milking cow. Now I must go skimming the internet listing various animals I MUST have. Haha
Debbie Weber says
Hi Jill, Really like the video!
Two questions I have are- will you be milking 2 times a day when the calf is weaned? And how much milk do you get when calf is on her vs. calf not on? Thanks!
Jill Winger says
Yes, we’ve been milking 2x per day since we weaned. I get about 2 gallons per milking when there is no calf, and only about 1 gallon per milking when the calf is on her.
Tonya says
I am just starting with my family cow, she is due this April. I was wondering:
why you don’t use milking machine?
Do you separate mom and calf at night?
And if I don’t have a concrete pad to milk on what would you recommend ?
Thanx for sharing 🙂
Jill Winger says
I don’t use a machine mostly because I don’t want to have to clean it everyday. 🙂 Since I’m only milking one cow, it’s easy enough for my to just use it by hand. Yes, I usually share milk and lock the calf up at night. You can milk on dirt too. 🙂
rug cleaning says
You could certainly see your skills inn tthe article you write.
The sector hopes for more passionate writers such aas you whho aren’t afraid to
say how they believe. Always follow your heart.
Jen Stutzman says
Jill!! I cannot tell you how excited I am to find your blog. I am a mama of five and we live on a acreage in Nebraska. Three of my kids are adopted from Ethiopia and they are used to raw milk. I for the first time bought raw milk from a local farmer this week. The kids loved it. We also just ordered our first chicks. This is all new to me yet I am so excited to learn and teach my kids to do it all right along with me. I homeschool all of them at this point. I cannot wait to learn from you and read all over this blog. Thank you!!
Jill Winger says
How awesome Jen! I’m glad you found me too. 🙂 You are almost a “neighbor”– NE isn’t too far away.
Veronica P says
Oh Jill, I loved this video !
My hearts desire is to have a cow, sadly not in the budget right now, so I shall live vicariously through you !! Awesome video, keep them coming, if I keep watching, I will be an old farm hand by the time I do get my cow !! ; )
Sally says
Hi Jill! Love your blog!! Just wondering if you think we could hand milk a jersey cow from a local organic dairy who has always been machine milked?? Really don’t want to pay for/clean a milking machine…
Thanks!
Jill Winger says
Sure! It might take a bit of work to get her used to it, but it can be done.
Sally says
Thanks so much! We’re thinking of getting a jersey cow and also a Hereford heifer to breed for beef (for our family of four). Thinking we could breed them at the same time…I’m really scared to take the plunge and buy two cows but so thankful for your informative blog!! 🙂
Priscilla Smith says
how much milk to you get with hand milking and how long does it take to get it?
Megha says
Im new to Dairy cows and getting a babe in a couple of days. What is the dip for the teats used for? To kill bateria? I’ve read elsewhere some people do it before and after milking.
When you wipe down the udder do you wipe down the teats as well?
Kim says
A milk cow has finally become available in my area! I have tons of questions! A lot got answered in your guest post where she says how much milk to take. If you go away, can you leave the calf on her the whole time without any consequences to her or the calf? Or should she be milked like normal? Also, how many months do you allow your cow to dry up for? How do you allow her to dry up without creating problems?