If it's logistically feasible, it's a good idea to let the heifer be with the lactating cows for a few days (or even better, weeks) prior to calving. She will then quickly learn from her older fellow cows that the robot is not scary and will therefore be more likely to experience the robot as positive.
The first experience of milking in the robot should be a positive one for the heifer.
This process of getting acquainted with the robot sets the tone for all subsequent milkings. (Similarly, the first experience with the hoof trimming box is also decisive for how easy it will be to get the cow into the hoof trimming box for future treatments).
During the familiarization period in the robot, the heifer only receives concentrate feed; nothing more happens.
However, a disadvantage of this system is that some heifers are frightened when they are milked in the robot for the first time after calving. After all, they have never “practiced” this before. In such cases, it is best to extend the acclimatization period.
It is important that the heifer remains calm and cannot move too much back and forth in the robot, as this makes her extremely nervous.
Heifers that experience the milking process in the milking robot as positive have demonstrably lower levels of stress.
The cortisol and adrenaline levels in their blood are lower, which has a positive effect on the activity of oxytocin.
Heifers being milked in a milking robot for the first time generally have a lower heart rate than heifers being milked in a traditional milking parlor with human intervention. However, human intervention may be necessary during the first visit to the milking robot. There is nothing wrong with that! One example is when the robot is struggling to attach or it is not attaching easily. In such cases, manual attachment is preferable. This is fine if it feels good and positive for the heifer.
The key is low stress stockmanship, even in the case of milking by a milking robot.
The heifer will demonstrate its success through its willingness to visit the robot independently, its walking behaviour, and, of course, its milk production. Taking the heifer twice a day in the normal collection round during the first few days is not an unnecessary luxury. This way, the heifer quickly learns to build up a daily routine. And routine is normal, natural behaviour for cattle. After two days, check whether she is already visiting the robot on her own. For most heifers, this happens after three days. If she does not proactively report to the robot, you can skip her during the morning collection round after a couple of days and see if she will eventually go to the robot later. This breaks her routine (from the heifer's perspective) and often encourages her to go independently. However, it is essential that the conditions on site (from the heifer's perspective) are favourable.
In these three posts on the topic of first-time milking, I have deliberately limited myself to animal behaviour-related actions.
The various manufacturers of milking robots often provide special “programs for first-time milking.” Feel free to check it out and take note of useful information.
Source photo Nicole Beuwer-Roeven