BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[DesertChic]

Thank you for the good thoughts! Just a thought...You could start with a couple of good dairy goats...that start could give you the milk for your family PLUS a baby beef...they simply bloom on goat milk (scour-free) and far easier to manage than dairy cattle.

I've tried to talk my husband into getting some Nubians a few times, but he grew up with goats and for some reason really doesn't want them again. I even mentioned sheep, but he hates that idea too. Personally, I love fresh, raw goat's milk....and raw cow's milk too...but it's darn near impossible to get any around here. (We stopped buying milk from the grocery store a few years ago.) I think he's just worried that I'll become overwhelmed with having too many animals AND helping to run our business and still commute 2-4 hours per day to get and retrieve our son from school. He's probably right. I do tend to overwhelm myself.

 

[Mini Meat]

Quote: A cow would provide a lot of organic matter to improve your soil. I've been eyeballing Dexter cattle, smaller, good milkers, good beef production.

 

[Mini Meat]

Quote: Kinders (Nubian/Pigmy) are a good compact breed.Better producers than both the foundation breeds for milk and meat. Easy keepers too.

 

[DesertChic]

A cow would provide a lot of organic matter to improve your soil. I've been eyeballing Dexter cattle, smaller, good milkers, good beef production.

This was my thought too. I just don't think our property could support any cattle right now, and we really don't have the money for additional fencing, another barn, etc. I'm still learning towards goats, but given that my hubby and I are of divergent opinions on the matter we'll probably just stick with poultry for quite a while.

 

[ronott1]

This was my thought too. I just don't think our property could support any cattle right now, and we really don't have the money for additional fencing, another barn, etc. I'm still learning towards goats, but given that my hubby and I are of divergent opinions on the matter we'll probably just stick with poultry for quite a while.

Here in California, you can buy a "cow Share" and get milk. I do not know if they do this for goats though.

 

[hellbender]

A cow would provide a lot of organic matter to improve your soil. I've been eyeballing Dexter cattle, smaller, good milkers, good beef production.

My parents kept a couple Guernsey dairy cows for years and they were a pleasure but any size cow, miniature or otherwise will leave large splats of DO-DO (hope you're watching, Staff) as opposed to the easily dealt-with 'nanny berries'. Additionally, pound for pound, a good dairy goat will out-produce a good dairy cow.

Having said the above, since we sold the beef cattle, we have been considering getting a couple Guernsey gals. We have plenty of pasture and hay and there are a few cheeses that do better with cow or goat/cow mixed.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

A cow would provide a lot of organic matter to improve your soil. I've been eyeballing Dexter cattle, smaller, good milkers, good beef production.

I hear miniature Jerseys are good too... actually, the first Jerseys were small. Later on they were made bigger into the "normal" jersey cows today. The "minis" are the original.

I see dexters mentioned more though so I think they are more popular.

There are also miniature zebu, but I have no idea what they are used for.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Ah, yes...the ever-growing list of projects, adaptations, and energetic "new" ideas. For us, the more we pay attention to the news and what's going on in the world the more my husband and I talk about becoming completely isolated and self-sustaining. While I'm finishing up the construction of what will hopefully be the last of the enclosed runs for my younger and breeding chickens, he's now pondering having a cow or two. We only have five acres of mostly sterile dirt and lots of rock...but he's positively enchanted by the idea of home-grown beef, and he'd like a bison even more. If he keeps going down this path we're probably going to have to relocate from the arid lands of southern AZ to someplace a bit more lush and conducive to being grass farmers.

And still sending good thoughts your way, Ron.

Well, that's exactly why Barbara Kingsolver and her family moved back east from Arizona (as detailed in the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, which, quite honestly, got me on this path in the first place...

- Ant Farm

 

[DesertChic]

Well, that's exactly why Barbara Kingsolver and her family moved back east from Arizona (as detailed in the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, which, quite honestly, got me on this path in the first place...

- Ant Farm

I grew up out east...Ohio, actually...and never cared for it. I love the dry heat out here, and it's much easier on my injured body. I would hate to give up the bodily comforts of this climate, but if things keep going as they have been, my husband and I may have to seriously consider it.

 

[hellbender]

Well, that's exactly why Barbara Kingsolver and her family moved back east from Arizona (as detailed in the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, which, quite honestly, got me on this path in the first place...

- Ant Farm

I have that book...an excellent read and so well written. She's all country but speaks fluent 'City slicker'.