Need information on mini jerseys or jerseys

[Heavenly Springs Farm]

I am wanting to add a dairy cow to my farm. I grew up with Milking shorthorns. I love them but they are bigger than I want. I want a small cow that I can milk at home. I really want a mini jersey because they are smaller. I am having a hard time find some around Indiana. I would also like to know what I need to know about the jerseys and the minis.

Thanks

 

[herfrds]

I had a Jersey milk cow. She was great.
I love their temperment and all the cream you get.
She was not very big.

 

[Imissmygirls]

IMO, mini's are overpriced if you have the area for a normal size Jersey. There can be some smaller jersey's available for purchase, not necessarily minis.
If you know MS, you can deal with jerseys. Just know that they are *different*. They have attitude. Some good , some bad. Choose your poison.
The other thing you should know is that they may have a strong letdown reflex and it hurts... so be gentle. Also if you will hand milk, check out the teat length on the dam. They breed for short milking machine teats so it's harder to find one you can hand milk.

 

[Heavenly Springs Farm]

Thanks for the information. I would be happy with a jersey. They are hard to find in my area but not as much as the minis. Most of the dairy cows around here are for 4-H. I will have to talk to some people at the fair to see where I can find one. I also thought if I could get a small jersey. I could AI her to a mini jersey to get a small jersey. I guess I will have to wait and see. I am not in a huge hurry. I have my Nubians for now.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

i'm interested in the mini's too... but wow they are really expensive.... let us know what you find out!

 

[Imissmygirls]

If I were in the market for a jersey family cow and in contact with 4H people, I'd put the word out for a cow who has lost a quarter or similar defect.
You'd get a tame gal who has good breeding and people may give you a decent price to get her a good home.
We had to sell a couple of nice show cows for slaughter in the past because we could not economically keep them another year.