How to Milk a Cow
Modern milking parlors use machines, but milking a cow by hand is an ancient art. Here’s the "udderly" perfect way to do it.
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You Will Need
- A dairy cow
- A grain mixture or hay
- A one-legged milking stool
- A stainless steel milking pail
- Milking gloves (optional)
- Warm water (optional)
- Soap or sanitizing solution (optional)
- Milk pasteurizer (optional)
Steps
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Step 1
Feed cow
Feed the cow in the early morning with a grain mixture or hay.
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Step 2
Set up stool
Set your stool on the right side of the cow’s udder. A one-legged stool lets you swivel to be close to the udder.
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Wash and dry your hands before milking, or use latex milking gloves. Gently wash the cow’s teats with warm water and a commercial sanitizing solution.
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Step 3
Sit on stool with pail between legs
Sit on the stool and hold the pail firmly between your legs.
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Step 4
Grasp teats
Raise your thumb and grasp the front teat with your fingers together in a gentle grip, like holding a tennis racquet. Squeeze and release, alternating hands until the teats are empty.
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Step 5
Milk back teats
Switch to the back teats.
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Cows sometimes get mastitis, which leads to sore udders. If you see signs of cracking on the teats, call the vet.
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Step 6
Repeat in evening
Repeat milking in the early evening. You’re not done until the cows come home.
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One cow produces about 350,000 glasses of milk in her lifetime.
