Calmness and regularity, combined with good milk hygiene, are important elements for low-stress milking robot use and a smooth start to milk production.
A commonly used method to get heifers accustomed to routine visits to the milking robot is to guide them to the milking robot immediately or shortly after calving. Most heifers are still feeling overwhelmed by the experience of calving, as everything is new to them.
This usually results in a smooth first milking. (USUALLY, not always).
It is important not to rush the heifer or force her into the milking robot. I often see this go wrong.
The heifer must enter the robot voluntarily; you can also lure her in with some concentrated feed.
In my opinion, a concentrated feed deficit of 2 to 2.5 kg at her first moment of milking is not a problem at all.
You can be present during her first visit to the robot but remain calm and unobtrusive.
The most important point is that everything proceeds calmly (for both the heifer and for you).
To make things easier, check that the laser and camera are clean beforehand, as technical delays in the milking robot are undesirable. The feed trough should also be clean and in good working order. Dirty feed troughs are certainly off-putting for new heifers to be milked, as cattle have a highly developed sense of smell. Disturbing elements during the first milking are even disastrous for subsequent milkings.
If your presence makes the heifer extra nervous and/or anxious, it indicates a structural problem in the daily handling of your cows. (Shouting, screaming, waving arms, etc. it won't work).
Sometimes fences or panels are used to (temporarily) create a “trap” or “bottleneck” to force the heifer into the milking robot.
Although this may seem like a good idea, from the heifer's perspective, it causes additional stress.
I always like to compare it to the hoof treatment box that is set up in the corner of the cowshed facing the wall.
Have you ever asked yourself why the cows are so reluctant to enter this hoof treatment box?
Source photo Marga Fogt