The cows stopped giving milk

[kodrinkod]

Good evening — quick question about livestock.

I built milking stalls for my cows and sheep, separated the lactating females there, and was successfully milking them for about a week. But yesterday I couldn’t milk three of the cows, and today one of the sheep as well. They lost their lactation, even though they definitely had it before — all the cows were milkable.

They were a bit hungry for a while, but they didn’t even go into hibernation, and I brought them food. I’m not sure if that’s related. Could it be because they’re no longer breeding?

How can I prevent this kind of issue with the milking stalls? Milking cows all kept in the same stall is pretty exhausting.

[FaithfulToadd]

Dairy cows only give milk while their baby is growing. When the baby is about to mature, they stop giving milk.

However, if you keep a bull with them (to breed), they'll continue to give milk almost constantly. Bulls will walk through open gates for breeding, but otherwise, animals do not move through gates (exceptions usually involve a player action).

[serVar161]

Interesting way.
Can a bull “interact” with cows through an open gate or are they considered an obstacle?

[FaithfulToadd]

Yes, they will path through a gate to breed as long as the bull and cow are both on the same screen. If they can't reach the female, i.e. the gap is too small or the gate is closed, then it won't work.

Being ready to breed doesn't give bulls the ability to travel through solid objects.

[serVar161]

Understood. Thank you. Then a decision may be made to let the bull roam along the corridor between the stalls.
Or will he go inside to the cow and not come out?

[FaithfulToadd]

He will visit a cow and stay with her, until another cow on-screen gives birth. Also, you may encounter issues with young calves roaming the corridor, with the stalls being so small. They won't be born through solid objects, but they may be born on a tile occupied by an open gate.

Young calves need to drink milk from a pregnant cow, or a barrel of milk. I believe the radius is the same as that of the swill trough.

[serVar161]

It's clear. Thanks again!
It will be necessary to make similar stalls, only as wide as possible.

[kodrinkod]

Yes, they will path through a gate to breed as long as the bull and cow are both on the same screen. If they can't reach the female, i.e. the gap is too small or the gate is closed, then it won't work.

Being ready to breed doesn't give bulls the ability to travel through solid objects.

Thanks, I’ll upgrade the milking stalls then — I’ll add a corridor for the bull.

[kodrinkod]

Introducing the rape racks!

[serVar161]

Rough. But interestingly thought out.