How to Milk a Cow by Hand

While commercial dairies use milking machines to milk their cows, a machine is not necessary if you have only a few cows to milk. Countryfarm Lifestyles states that unless you have more than 15 cows, a milk machine is not worth the cost. Learning to milk a cow allows you to acquire milk from your dairy cow without the expense of purchasing a milking machine.

Things You'll Need

  • Headgate
  • Milk stool
  • Clean bucket
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Instructions

    • 1

      Milk the cow twice a day and at the same times. This both facilitates a good yield of milk and gets the cow used to being handled.

    • 2

      Secure the cow in a headgate. This prevents the cow from kicking and it keeps her immobile for the milking.

    • 3

      Wash your hands thoroughly.

    • 4

      Wash the cow's teats with warm water and brush off any debris.

    • 5

      Place the milking stool on the cow's right and sit down. You should be seated as close to the cow as possible, so there is little space between the bucket and the cow's teats.

    • 6

      Hold the bucket firmly between your legs so that the cow does not knock it over.

    • 7

      Encircle the top of the cow's teat with your thumb and forefinger, enclosing the teat with your remaining fingers, one by one. This causes the milk to flow down, rather than back into the udder.

    • 8

      Work on one teat until you are comfortable with the rhythm and then use your other hand as well.

    • 9

      Milk one pair of teats and then the second pair.