|
|
Post by texasartist on Jan 31, 2021 19:14:16 GMT
Im curious if anybody on the board has a dexter milk cow? When I get my health back I'd like to get one of these heritage mini but right now I need to learn all I can about them. What has been your experience with them? How much feed do they need? How much milk do they tend to give? What about meds, do they require more/less/ or same amount of meds compared to most of the standard breeds?
|
|
|
|
Post by Maura on Jan 31, 2021 20:47:12 GMT
With an old heritage breed I think she will be better off with pasture and hay rather than grain.
|
|
|
|
Post by mogal on Jan 31, 2021 23:23:02 GMT
I had to laugh at your referring to a Dexter as a mini. One of my fiber buddies when we lived in NW MO started raising Dexters about the time we moved away. The last time we talked she and her husband still had a sizable herd of the critters. While they are "mini" compared to even a Guernsey or a Jersey, they're still big enough to bounce you off a wall if they are so inclined. Our purebred Nubian buck, almost 5 and as tractable as you could ask for, weighs close to 300# and he and I have had to make some accommodations shall we say when he's needed oral medications or foot trimming. We also raised Angus cattle from '63 to '72. I can't imagine dealing with even a mini cow so I'll stick to my goats as long as I can. The best of luck to you though.
Does their breed association headquarters being in Stephenville TX have anything to do with your interest?
|
|
|
|
Post by texasartist on Feb 1, 2021 1:12:46 GMT
hi
No I didn't even know it was in stephenville. I just happened to come across this one that was talking about how it was a smaller breed of cow. It well be a long time probably a couple years before I take the plunge into the milk can to get one. I want to use that time for learning all that I can.
The thing I'm looking for is small cow that give a nice amount of Cream/milk. It's just me and my husband so we don't need several gallons but I like to make my own butter and such. Milk goats just didn't do it for me when I had them.
|
|
|
|
Post by lisabug on Feb 1, 2021 1:45:10 GMT
Having been pushed around by big ol' Holsteins (former dairy farmer) I'll take my Dexters any day, bull included. My cows weigh 700-800 lbs at 5+ years old, the bull at 4 yrs old is about 1000. There's seperate lines for dual purpose, milking and beef, no idea which is which but we have a beefier bunch. We feed no grain, worm once a year with pour-on and they've never been sick a day. They're calm critters and never a problem calving, excellent mothers who don't mind you checking out the calves when they're still wet. We always treat the bull the same way you'd treat any other, as a big animal that could take you out in a moment.
|
|
|
|
Post by mogal on Feb 1, 2021 2:29:01 GMT
take the plunge into the milk can to get one
Good one, texasartist!
|
|
|
|
Post by lisabug on Feb 1, 2021 23:40:09 GMT
As Mogal said, take the plunge. Why not find a couple young steers and raise them to make sure you're cut-out for bovines. Once you do that you'll have a shelter and pasture and when a cow or two comes up you can jump on buying them. Gotta say, they eat less than a horse, quieter than a dog and supply food in the form of meat and milk. There's a forum for Dexter owners out there, oodles of knowledge and advice. Oh, and get yourself some cow cookies (horse treats from TSC). Our herd will follow us to the ends of the earth for them.
Can you do it? YES, you can!
|
|
