Post by dsimas on Oct 31, 2008 13:18:55 GMT -5
I've been doing my research for quite a while now, lurking on the board and first posted on the Welcome forum. I have my Grandpa's small little (1.4 acre) homestead that I grew up on. www.grandpas1947farm.shutterfly.com It has a one acre pasture and a cow barn with 3 stanchions in it. I also have built two box stalls with 25x35' paddocks, one of which is used by my horse. The other will be for the cow.
I have decided on a Dexter due to the size and multipurpose and temperament. I want the milk, but it's just for me and my Mom, and friends. I haven't found a cow that is even halter broke, so have decided to go ahead and get a weaned heifer from a local breeder that comes highly recommended.
I have it down to a short list of a few black heifers and one red one, I will decide when I go to meet them. Probably November 15 is the plan. Here's a pic:
I want everything to be ready here. I need any input for everyone...She will come with her rope halter, but will probably need a nylon web one as she gets older (she's 6-9 months, depending on which I pick).
1) I have a barn full of excellent 1st cutting orchard grass hay for the horse. Shall I get some bales of pure alfalfa for her? Or alfalfa/grass mix? Any supplements I should buy for her age?
2) The stall has a bucket with a float switch hanging on the wall at horse height. I can lower it and rehang at a lower level. Or should I do something on the floor?
3) I have heard that I shouldn't feed on the floor (the horse does) or the cow will waste a lot. What sort of feeder should I buy? There's a picture in KFC of a homemade one with angled holes that they put their head in and stay there so not to waste so much, do they make something like these? The stanchions are over in the cow barn 50 yards away, not where she will live.
4) I plan on using some pine shavings for bedding and keeping her in the stall for a day or so. Then allow her out in her paddock.
I am a sponge right now and open to any suggestions!
Thank you,
Dawn
I have decided on a Dexter due to the size and multipurpose and temperament. I want the milk, but it's just for me and my Mom, and friends. I haven't found a cow that is even halter broke, so have decided to go ahead and get a weaned heifer from a local breeder that comes highly recommended.
I have it down to a short list of a few black heifers and one red one, I will decide when I go to meet them. Probably November 15 is the plan. Here's a pic:
I want everything to be ready here. I need any input for everyone...She will come with her rope halter, but will probably need a nylon web one as she gets older (she's 6-9 months, depending on which I pick).
1) I have a barn full of excellent 1st cutting orchard grass hay for the horse. Shall I get some bales of pure alfalfa for her? Or alfalfa/grass mix? Any supplements I should buy for her age?
2) The stall has a bucket with a float switch hanging on the wall at horse height. I can lower it and rehang at a lower level. Or should I do something on the floor?
3) I have heard that I shouldn't feed on the floor (the horse does) or the cow will waste a lot. What sort of feeder should I buy? There's a picture in KFC of a homemade one with angled holes that they put their head in and stay there so not to waste so much, do they make something like these? The stanchions are over in the cow barn 50 yards away, not where she will live.
4) I plan on using some pine shavings for bedding and keeping her in the stall for a day or so. Then allow her out in her paddock.
I am a sponge right now and open to any suggestions!
Thank you,
Dawn