Best Mini-Moo for Us?

[Anianna]

Information for the mini cows varies greatly across the web, so I'd like to ask some experienced herders. Is one better than another?

We are looking for:
-dual purpose mini cattle (less that 4ft tall)
-low maintenance cost
-milk yield of at least 1 gallon per day and preferably not more than 5 gallons per day
-easy calving (I would prefer to intervene as little as possible)
-little expected veterinary care
-gentle temperament is a plus

From what I understand, chondrodysplasia-free Dexters meet all of these requirements, but I'd really like to hear from experienced owners.

If you own Dexters, what are your experiences with veterinary care (including general expected annual costs)? Also, how many years, on average, can I expected a Dexter cow to give at least a gallon of milk per day?

My current estimates are (please let me know if I am way off):
- expected milking life per cow (at least 1 gallon per day): 10 years
- expected veterinary cost over expected milking life (each): $2000
- expected annual feed costs: ~$50 (I have been told they only need purchased hay or grains when grazing grass is not available and one round bail should get three or four through a typical VA winter)

If my estimates are even close to correct, my family can expect to save several thousand dollars over the milking life of the cow just in milk costs. That doesn't even count meat production and possible calf sales.

 

[kstaven]

One thing you will find with Dexters is they are not all created equally. Many are anything but feed efficient or dual purpose. Many lines are bred up for meat production and have lost the characteristics they once had. So I advise a lot of caution and suggest finding an "honest" mentor who can help you get what you want if you decide on Dexters.

Remember when it comes to milk production, people have the habit of telling you the milking peak figure which is typically hit at three months after calving and they decline from there. Some decline quickly while others decline slowly dependent on the lineage/genetics. You are also going to have a dry period every year. So you also want to know the lactation period for your cow and her ancestors along with the bulls lineage and the production stats on his side since milk is a primary objective here.

We have had Dexters here that thrive and forage well and others that need large amounts of grain and supplements to stay in condition. Have seen some cows that barely produce enough milk to feed their calf and others that milk fairly well. These are all cows from breeders of note.

Dealing with many of the mini cow breeders is much like dealing with dog breeders. A breed of dog may be noted for specific characteristics and advertised as such but does that line actually measure up is the real question.

Don't get me wrong ... there are some good ones out there. But there are also a lot out there being bred because they can fetch a good buck.

Plug the word dexter into the search here and BYC which is the parent forum to BYH and you will find good stories and nightmares.

 

[Ms. Research]

Dealing with many of the mini cow breeders is much like dealing with dog breeders. A breed of dog may be noted for specific characteristics and advertised as such but does that line actually measure up is the real question.

Great Advise! When looking into the "Fancy" groups or "Mini" groups you need to do your research. Yes, I agree, people out there will do and say anything to make a fast buck. Shame, but true. And the only one that suffers is the animal. Animals being bred for "fast" money are the ones that are over bred or bred carelessly to get the "fancy" or "mini" versions.

People have no class. Glad there are others on here and BYC, the parent forum, that will help those who are new get the inside information to make a Great purchase.

 

[Bossroo]

When dealing with any animal that is "rare", "exotic", " designer" or "mini" the price is much more than what it is worth, have health issues, and more often than not, not be as advertised ... ie. ... A fool and his/her money are soon parted.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

- expected annual feed costs: ~$50 (I have been told they only need purchased hay or grains when grazing grass is not available and one round bail should get three or four through a typical VA winter)

That really depends on what type and how much pasture they have. If they're solely eating hay, one round bale would not last 3 or 4 dexters very long. If there's plenty of pasture and stockpiled grasses (fescue stockpiles very well) then you may not need any hay at all.

 

[Anianna]

Thanks all.

We have several acres of pasture and we only wanted a small herd. After reading around here about cantankerous bulls, I'm thinking of just going with a couple of cows and going the AI route when we are ready to add to the herd. I believe we average about three months of poor pasture, but I will have to ask some local farmers to get a better estimate on how long they generally have to have feed stockpiled for. I was told the mini breeds need about half what the full breeds need. Is that mostly accurate, give or take?



For those of you concerned with breeding exotics, the Dexter is no more an exotic breed than any cattle you are used to. It has been a small breed at least as far back as the late 1800s when it came to England and nearly disappeared in Ireland. Registries in the U.K. and the U.S. largely attempt to maintain the original breed standards. Of course, there will be deviations and bad breeding, but the breed itself is not some exotic bred mutant.

The mini Jersey more closely resembles its ancient ancestor than what we currently consider a standard Jersey. They were a small breed that consumed less feed than larger cattle, and so were kept by small family farms originally in France, then in England, and then in the American colonies. Several records indicate their original small stature, not the least of which is the book The Jersey, Alderney, and Guernsey cow: their history, nature and management by Willis P. Hazard (1872). Colonial writings also attest to the unusually small size of what was then mistakenly called the Alderney cow. They were bred with larger cattle for greater production as our demands on our livestock grew, so your full sized Jersey cattle may be considered the more "exotic" form of the breed than what we now call the mini.

Have no qualms, I have no intention of going out in search of some cute little living toy cow to tote around in my purse and I have no intention of purchasing anything without a great deal more research, part of which is getting helpful information from experienced farmers and homesteaders like you folks. I am, indeed, in the research and planning phase of this endeavor. I have come across many breeders that are breeding exclusively for smaller and smaller size, particularly in the Jerseys, and I will be avoiding those. I was under something of an impression that the registered Dexter breeders stick more closely to the standards of size, weight, and production that the breed was originally known for, but I will have to nose that out in time, too. I have no interest in a breeder who is trying to breed a toy of a cow.

Thanks again for the info and advice.

 

[Royd Wood]

Dexter cattle love their hay when the pasture is poor 3 or 4 will see off a round bale a week - Great choice if you go with Dexters which is a fantastic rare breed to work with except those horns are a bit of a nightmare.

 

[Anianna]

My husband has threatened to pole my Dexter's if I get them!

One of the reasons we are going for a small breed is because he is intimidated by large animals. And horns.

Well, that and I don't need the kind of milk production larger breeds produce.

 

[LittleDarlings]

I too, have just started looking into the "mini" cows. For us, it's a space issue. I want to make sure I have the room. I also have goats for milk so it's not a mandatory lactation issue. I also read that they are better on the feed to meat conversion. If it's true, that's always a BIG plus. Like the others, I am still in the "learning" phase. I BYC/H :bun

 

[Royd Wood]

My husband has threatened to pole my Dexter's if I get them!

One of the reasons we are going for a small breed is because he is intimidated by large animals. And horns.

Well, that and I don't need the kind of milk production larger breeds produce.

You should consider Belted Galloway then as they are polled, will give you milk and are easy to work with - I have 3 here 2 of which are smaller than my blacks and duns oh and the meat is unbelievable -they do very well on just grass and hay