How Can I Build a Milking Stall for My Cow?

There was a time when every farm had a milk cow to provide milk for the family, but times change and now you buy your milk from the local grocery store. As times become economically hard, many are returning to growing their own food and raising their own meat. Learning how to milk your own cow requires a stall to immobilize the cow in while you obtain the milk. Learn how to make a stall for your cow to allow you to milk it safely.

Things You'll Need

  • 3 6.5 foot long 4-by-4 inch posts
  • Cement
  • 4 1-by-6 inch boards
  • Nails
  • Hammer
  • 2 gates with hardware
  • Hook
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Instructions

    • 1

      Find the location in your barn where you can lead the cow in and out of a fenced off section. The milking process will be easier if you don't have to back the cow out of the stall when milking is finished.

    • 2

      Measure your cow. The dimensions of the stall will depend on how big your cow is. Normal stall length is equal to 1.2 times the height of the cow's rump (nominally 72 inches). The height of the stall rails is 0.8 times the cow's rump (nominally 48 inches), and the width of the stall is normally at least 54 inches.

    • 3

      Dig holes at the two corners of the stall 54 inches from the side of the barn. Dig one hole in between the two corner posts. The holes should be 18 inches deep.

    • 4

      Place three 4-by-4 inch posts in the holes and fill with cement to provide support. The 4-by-4 posts need to stick out of the ground 5 feet.

    • 5

      Use a hammer to nail 1-by-6 inch boards between the corner posts. The board closest to the ground should be at ground level. Cut one of the 1-by-6 inch boards in half. Nail these two boards between the front corner post and the middle post. This leaves a space for you to milk without being in the stall with the cow. Nail up the other two boards from corner post to corner post. Separate each row of boards by 4 inches. There should be a total of five side rails.

    • 6

      Hang a gate at the front and back of the stall hinged to the side of the barn. This will allow you to hold the cow in the stall while you are milking it.

    • 7

      Attach a hook to the front gate at the height of 2.5 feet. This will hold the grain bucket at the right height for the cow to eat while you milk.