How I Modified a Standard Milking Claw to Fit My Dexter Cattle
Why Standard Milking Claws Don’t Fit Dexter Cattle
Dexters may be dairy cattle, but they aren’t built like Holsteins or Jerseys. Most milking equipment on the market is sized for large-frame cows with udders that sit much higher off the ground. When you try to use that same claw on a Dexter, the fit is awkward and the setup can actually work against you.
📷 A standard claw on my Dexter cow Tilly — less than 2 inches from the ground, an uncomfortable and unsanitary fit.
Take my cow Tilly as an example — when I attached a standard claw, it was barely an inch and a half off the floor. Not only did that make it clumsy to handle, it added weight and strain that pulled against her udder. Even worse, sitting that low to the ground is unsanitary. The cluster can brush the floor, kick up dirt, or pick up bacteria that have no business near a cow’s udder or your milk pail.
The shells were too long, the fit wasn’t right, and the whole experience was uncomfortable for both cow and milker. That’s when I knew I needed a better solution.
The Modification: Goat Shells and Inflations
The answer didn’t come from cow equipment at all — it came from the goat side of the catalog. Goat shells and inflations are designed for smaller teats and compact udders, which makes them a surprisingly good match for Dexter cattle.
By swapping out the heavy stainless steel cow shells for lightweight goat shells, I eliminated most of the pulling weight. Pairing those with goat-sized inflations gave me a snug, sanitary fit that stayed well clear of the floor. The difference was immediate:
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Better comfort for the cow — no pinching, tugging, or awkward angles.
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Safer sanitation — the claw sits higher, away from dirt and manure.
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More efficient milk-out — the smaller inflations seat properly, so every quarter empties fully.
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Easier handling — lighter weight makes it simpler to attach and manage during milking.
This simple modification turned a frustrating setup into one that actually fits Dexter proportions.
📷 Left: standard cow claw. Right: my modified claw with goat shells and inflations, designed for Dexter cattle.
Benefits in Day-to-Day Milking
Since making the switch, milking has become smoother for both me and my cows. The lighter goat shells are easy to handle, and they don’t drag or slip the way the long stainless cow shells did. My Dexters stand calmly, and I’ve noticed fewer kicks and fussing at milking time — a sure sign that the fit is more comfortable.
Sanitation has improved too. With the claw sitting higher off the floor, I don’t have to worry about it brushing against dirt, bedding, or manure. That peace of mind matters when you’re producing raw milk for your family or customers.
The claw handles the bulk of the milking efficiently, and then I use a separate setup for stripping the last few ounces from each quarter. That combination keeps the cows comfortable, protects udder health, and ensures a clean, healthy milk supply.
Why This Matters for Dexter Owners
Dexter cattle are unique — small in stature but full of potential as family milk cows. The problem is that most of the dairy industry doesn’t build equipment with them in mind. Trying to make a Dexter fit into “Holstein gear” isn’t just inconvenient, it can compromise cow comfort, udder health, and milk cleanliness.
By adapting equipment with goat shells and inflations, I created a setup tailored to my herd’s size. It’s a simple modification that solves three big challenges for Dexter owners:
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Cow welfare — smaller, lighter shells are more comfortable, leading to calmer milkings and healthier udders.
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Milk quality — keeping the claw higher off the ground prevents contamination and supports raw milk safety.
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Practical efficiency — the main claw handles the bulk of the milking, while a separate stripping setup finishes the job cleanly.
This isn’t theory — it’s the system I use every day at Mountain Heritage Farm. Below, I will share links to the actual parts I used so other Dexter owners can see exactly how I put this together.
For anyone researching Dexters as family milk cows, or looking to improve their current setup, these modifications can make the difference between a daily frustration and a smooth, sanitary routine.
Building Your Own Dexter-Friendly Milking Claw
If you’d like to try this yourself, here are the exact parts I used to adapt my setup:
COMPLETE BUCKET
DeLaval-style bucket milking base, complete for one cow.
PLASTIC SHELL
Lighter than stainless, sized for smaller goat -- or Dexter -- teats.
SILICONE GOAT LINER
Perfect fit for Dexter udders.
AIR TUBE
9" X 9/32"ID
Connects goat shells to the DeLaval bowl (I trimmed 2–3 inches for a better fit).
These were easy to source from Parts Department and made all the difference in comfort and sanitation for my herd. Paired with a vacuum pump and my separate stripping setup, it’s a reliable daily system that keeps both cow and milk safe.
Final Thoughts
Milking Dexter cattle comes with its own challenges, and equipment designed for big Holsteins just doesn’t fit the job. By modifying my claw with goat shells and inflations, I’ve created a system that keeps the cows comfortable, the equipment sanitary, and the milk clean.
This is the setup I use every day at Mountain Heritage Farm, and it reflects the same commitment to transparency that guides all of my raw milk practices. If you’d like to see how I manage milk safety, cow health, and testing here on the farm, visit my Raw Milk Transparency page.
Raw Milk Transparency