Mini Jersey vs Jersey; and other mini questions

[Wolf-Kim]

I have read the other mini threads, but I have some specific questions if someone can help.

One day I hope to buy a Jersey milk cow. Lately the mini Jerseys have caught my attention.

Can I get the pros and cons of minis vs full size.

I know that the minis are more expensive, so we'll skip over that.

How is the feed comparison between a mini and standard? I know that the idea behind a mini, is easier to handle and smaller space requirements, but what about feed to milk? If they eat the same amount, I'm going with the standard.

Growing rate? I read somewhere that the minis grow slower, any experience on this?

Can mini Jerseys be bred to mini angus(lowline angus) or other mini beefers?

Milk, of course! How do the minis compare in milk production to the standards. I've been reading and many sites boast 4 gallons and one site even boasted 10 gallons for a particular cow. Any experience?

Thanks
-Kim

 

[houndit]

I have standard Jerseys. A friend told me that they milk almost as well, as Standard Jerseys. They were in fact the original jersey she said. She said they are more pasture friendly. Let me know how it works if you get one. I was thinking about getting one too.

 

[Imissmygirls]

With standard Jerseys, they have been breeding for size for many years. I'd look for a line that has smaller sized animals.
Re: feed conversion/milk In my experience, you get the milk in proportion to the feed you put in. I fed my gal enough hay and grain to keep her in condition to breed back. She produced about 40 lbs/day when fresh. ( 8.6 lbs/gal)
When she went to a dairy for her 3rd lactation, they fed her for production and she produced 80 lbs per day.

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Thanks guys.

Do the minis have any 'special' needs? Are they more predator prone because of their size? Are they more susceptable to the weather because of their size?

Oh, how do they fare with larger cattle? Do they need to be kept seperate? I know with miniature horses and standard horses, they can be pastured together without much issue. Obviously this is with the absence of a bull/stud.

They are so cute, and they probably are the future, in the sense of homesteading, because of their smaller stature.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[no nonsense]

I can't think of a worse breed to try to miniaturize than a Jersey, for temperament reasons alone. Those beautiful eyes and attractive color sure are entriguing, but there's more than looks to contend with. Dexters are bad enough temperament wise. Enough people are falling for the "mini" cattle craze with them. The good thing about Dexters is at least many of them make a somewhat decent frame for the freezer, once people realize what they're really like, and all they're really good for.
The thing about the so-called miniature Jerseys is that their size is all over the place. They are nowhere near consistent enough to be considered a true breed, by anyone other than charlitans looking to make a fast buck, and their gullible customers eager to part with their money while wishing in fairy tales about some small, doe eyed gentle moo moo cow. They're really nothing more than small examples of Jerseys, which you can probably find occasionally in any large herd.
Another consideration is that Jersey bull calves are already worthless. No one wants them due to their temperament. Even ox guys who will be castrating don't want them. They're not worth finishing for the freezer. Most Jersey bull calves now are not even worth the gas and time needed to send them to auction. Guess what happens to most of them? Why create yet another breed which will produce 50% of it's young which are worthless? I fear that this miniaturization craze will result in people keeping bulls which they have no idea how to control, and it will lead to disasters, especially with Jerseys. Even a so-called miniature bull, in all breeds except maybe Zebus, is still large enough to kill someone.
IMO, if you want a small milk animal, we already have them. They're called goats. If you must have a small cow, then it's easy enough to find a small sized Jersey, but there are several other breeds which, although bigger, won't really change the facilities, room, time, management or amount of feed needed much more than will a Jersey, "miniature" or not.

 

[reinbeau]

Closed per the OP's request.