Yes, cows' udders have four separate chambers, each with its own teat. They
can get mastitis in only one quarter or up to four. Occasionally you'll
have a calf born with an extra teat or two - the farmer will just remove
them when the animal is still young. The claw used to milk the animals only
comes with four attachment points, so the small amount of milk the extra
chamber(s) produce doesn't get removed and is likely to become mastitic.
The extra ones tend to be smaller and produce less milk so it's not a big
loss considering the hassle it would be to milk the extra teats.

Hilary Pollock

Who, in a former lifetime (before kids) had an Animal Science degree and
worked for a company that made vaccines for the animal industry - our best
sellers were the ones to prevent mastitis in dairy cattle.



> Date:    Sun, 9 Jun 2019 07:50:44 -0700
> From:    Julie Tardos <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Question about cows
>
> Does anyone know anything about cows? One of my kids asked if cows have
> four separate "breasts" (child's term) or one mammary gland with four
> teats? Do they have a milk storage chamber? I think I've read that they
do.
>
> I said I'd ask here.
>
> Thanks,
> Julie Tardos
>

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome