How to Take Care of the Family Milk Cow

You can raise a family milk cow in a one-acre backyard plot if you don't have a big farm. Just one milk cow can keep your family supplied with milk for 10 years or longer and you can make cheese, butter, yogurt and other dairy products with the excess milk. Raising a milk cow takes a firm commitment, however, because they require daily care. If you don't care for your milk cow properly, she may not produce much milk and could develop health problems.

Things You'll Need

  • Shelter
  • Food
  • Water
  • Veterinarian
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide shelter. Milk cows can find shelter in a barn or in milder climates, in sheds that are open on one side. Cows should have easy access to their shelters. Provide straw in the shelter on which she can lie down.

    • 2

      Feed her a healthful diet that includes hay, soy beans and corn. Your cow can eat the entire corn plant, including the ears, stalk and leaves. Include other grains as well. Chop them up so she can easily eat them. Your cow will need anywhere from 10 to 40 pounds of food each day. This also includes grass she grazes.

    • 3

      Add a mineral mixture you can purchase at feed stores to your cow's food. While your cow is giving milk, use a mineral mixture with calcium. Milk cows experience a dry season of about two months every year. During her dry season, use a mineral mixture without calcium.

    • 4

      Provide your cow with a salt lick.

    • 5

      Make sure your milk cow has access to fresh water at all times. She will drink about 12 to 15 gallons of water every day.

    • 6

      Milk the family cow twice a day. Milk her at about the same times every day, about every 12 hours.

    • 7

      Provide regular veterinary care. Cows need their nails trimmed about twice a year and regular checkups to make sure they're healthy. Some people also choose to vaccinate their cows against certain bovine diseases. Your vet can help you decide if you should vaccinate.