Post by blessedfarm on May 8, 2009 20:20:21 GMT -5
We are on a tight budget, and so are looking at less than perfect cows for our first milk cow. As much as I am sure they are worth the $, I can't pay more than maybe $800 for a cow right now.
I REALLY wanted a Dexter, mainly because of the size, and size is a BIG issue for us. Being that this will literally be a backyard cow, that will have to be fed mostly hay and hand grazed for her enjoyment and handling. That is, at least until I can convince my dad this is not a money pit, and they are very cute so I can rent his pasture from him. But, every halter broke Dexter I am finding in the state of WA is registered, and the breeders want good money just for a heifer, let alone a cow. I understand they are probably worth that much, but we can't do it. I've not had any luck finding any cross breds that are trained, either, so next option is to drop the expectation a little (not that it was very high to begin with), and go with a tame, but untrained cow.
I found a couple of dexter cows that sound like they'd fit the bill. And a couple of Irish Jersey, one is a two year old with an uncofirmed breeding to a Dexter. These sound like they'd be perfect for us. But, they are tame, but not trained. So, how hard can it be? If they are tame, and known breeds for being pretty docile, is this something a newbie like me can do? I've worked with horses all my life, am a retired professional horse trainer and riding instructor. But, this is a cow, not a horse, lol. I've raised dairy goats for 15 years, and they can have their streaks, but this is a cow, not a goat! Am I being unrealistic?
If it's not possible for us to find a cow that will milk for us, within our budget, I might as well just stick with goats. Hubby doesn't like that idea, lol. And, really, a cow, in the long run, makes much more sense for us as far as input/output ratios go, so long as it is a small breed.
Ideas??
I REALLY wanted a Dexter, mainly because of the size, and size is a BIG issue for us. Being that this will literally be a backyard cow, that will have to be fed mostly hay and hand grazed for her enjoyment and handling. That is, at least until I can convince my dad this is not a money pit, and they are very cute so I can rent his pasture from him. But, every halter broke Dexter I am finding in the state of WA is registered, and the breeders want good money just for a heifer, let alone a cow. I understand they are probably worth that much, but we can't do it. I've not had any luck finding any cross breds that are trained, either, so next option is to drop the expectation a little (not that it was very high to begin with), and go with a tame, but untrained cow.
I found a couple of dexter cows that sound like they'd fit the bill. And a couple of Irish Jersey, one is a two year old with an uncofirmed breeding to a Dexter. These sound like they'd be perfect for us. But, they are tame, but not trained. So, how hard can it be? If they are tame, and known breeds for being pretty docile, is this something a newbie like me can do? I've worked with horses all my life, am a retired professional horse trainer and riding instructor. But, this is a cow, not a horse, lol. I've raised dairy goats for 15 years, and they can have their streaks, but this is a cow, not a goat! Am I being unrealistic?
If it's not possible for us to find a cow that will milk for us, within our budget, I might as well just stick with goats. Hubby doesn't like that idea, lol. And, really, a cow, in the long run, makes much more sense for us as far as input/output ratios go, so long as it is a small breed.
Ideas??