C 1 Considering cows - advice please

[milkmaid]

For a first cow, you'd be better off with a cow that doesn't have health issues. Don't let your heart overrule your head. A problem cow is better off as hamburger or with someone who really knows cows. Anything else results in a cow abused through ignorance.

Skip the second cow. Leaking teats are a major problem - period. Doubt her leg problems resulted from the grain she was fed, unless you're looking at bovine laminitis, which I haven't yet seen in a calf and even with severe grain overload I haven't yet seen in a mature cow. It's likely an injury (ie caught in wire, stepped on, had footrot, etc) or else is genetic (I've seen some like this, daughter had the exact same problems with her hooves that her dam did).

Third cow is a maybe - IF she tests negative for Johnes and IF you understand the commitment that an underweight (and therefore likely high producing) dairy cow takes. If it takes 15lbs in grain and 100lbs in quality alfalfa hay on a daily basis to get that cow back into condition and then keep her there when she's lactating - are you prepared for that?

First cow sounds like your best bet, or else keep looking.

As to personality - as long as she's not intentionally mean and is generally cooperative, don't concern yourself with personality. A cow - family cow or otherwise - is first of all a worker with a job. As long as she performs her job - supplying you with milk - she need not be friendly. If she is friendly, great; if she's not, it should not be a deal breaker. Find the cow that will do what you need her to do on your financial budget and time constraints, and buy her.

[Multi-taskingmom]

We have decided to go with the first cow. Thank you everyone for all of your advice. As for the second cow (at the same sellers), while she was nice and friendly, she did have some potential health risks. The seller was honest about these and really didn't feel she was the best cow for us.

As for the third cow, I did call about her (we thought maybe we would get her too, just to save her), she has been sold, so that is good news.

I will post pictures once we have finalized everything.

The lady we are buying her from is amazing. We can't take her until after we build our barn in May, and she has no problem with that. As for the standoffishness that I perceived, after thinking about it and reading what you folks had to say, I realized, she is everything we hoped for in a cow, and to be perfectly honest if somebody came over to my house and wanted to get up close and personal I would be a bit unnerved too. And really, she didn't act that way until I had fussed at her for awhile.

Thank you all,
Marsha

[Janene]

I can't wait to see pictures of her, and hurry up building that barn! It'll be like Christmas when you get to finally bring her home!! ;D ;D
Janene

[jehuchris]

Congratulations on being able to make your decision. Look forward to seeing your photos of your barn project and your cow when she comes home.

Blessings,

Chris

[Malissa---(menns)]

I would agree with you going back and spend a little more time with the stand-offish cow. I just recently had a similar experience. I went to look at 2 cows. First, I went into the lot with the younger of the two (Lynn). She wouldn't let me get close to her and when I tried to, she put her head down and may very well have butted me with it if I had gotten any closer.
Second cow (Rose) was different. She let me scratch her, feel her udder or whatever I wanted to do.
I bought them both and brought them home thinking that I was going to have problems with Lynn and that Rose and I would be best friends.
I was wrong. Rose is very bossy and doesn't like me too much so far. Lynn is quite the sweetheart. She is very calm and gentle. She let me put a halter on, brush her and scratch her all over. She has let me mess with her udder and never lifted a foot or anything.
Rose has been more difficult. She wouldn't come in the barn without some encouragement (lead on the halter) pulling and tugging on my part.
I am sure Rose will settle down when she gets used to me and her new surroundings. I haven't had them very long, but am certain they will make wonderful family cows.
I have also found it takes my girls every bit of a month to get settled in with me and the new place. And once they do, they are like a different cow.
Once you get her home and spend time with her and she can see that she will have a good home, she will more than likely be very loving with you.
The way it sounds this lady knows her cows and is making a good choice for you.
Good luck!