Dairy Cow

[Picco]

Here's an old post with a a lot of old info.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=10349

For home use you might want to consider a beef cow, especially when they are locally available to you. They give a lot less milk than a dairy breed, but still more than you'll ever need. Most beef breeds are good to work with, especially herefords, but avoid anguses because they are high strung. Beef breeds have also been more selected for hardiness and a diet that is more grass based so they may be easier to care for. Dairy breeds will produce a lot of milk, even Jerseys. I had a Jersey that gave 100 pounds a day, although this was a cow on a production diet and a genetically strong animal, you get the idea of how much milk you can get.

Goats are a better choice for the small timer as they are cheaper, easier to handle and are more efficient but the milk is different. It still tastes great but its definitely not the same thing so you should try the fresh stuff out before trying the animal out.

 

[sootman]

Try Petfinder.com. I always see some cows on there.

 

[2dream]

Quote:
As a city girl who grew up with "store bought everything" and hated the taste of fresh cow milk when I visited relatives in the country. When I got my first taste of fresh, properly prepared goats milk I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I cried like a baby when Agnes (my goat) died. I have not been in a place to have another but let me tell you if I ever am.... Goat not cow will be in my barn.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

One option for the extra milk is to have someone buy shares in the cow (most places illegal to sell raw milk) and then you would have more people to drink the milk.

 

[nccatnip]

http://www.cattletoday.com/forum/index.php

 

[happyhens]

I don't know if anyone has posted this link yet, I didn't read the whole thread, but here is a wonderful forum full of cow information. I'm with you, one of these days I will have a cow. Gathering information now, so that I will be ready when I get the chance to have a milk cow or even a couple of milk goats.
http://familycow.proboards32.com/
Good luck, you may even find a good family milk cow to buy on there. I think there are several people in TX who could help you find a cow.

 

[kstaven]

A miniature cow is always on option to reduce milk volume. They eat about 1/3 the feed of their bred up cousins. 1/2 acre of good forage works for them.

Kitty is right. Cowshare is an option. http://wildthingorganics.com/cowshare.html Not a lot of extra work since you are already milking the cow and that way it pays for itself and THEN SOME.

 

[BirdBrain]

Nccatnip and Happy hens, I spent way too much time on the two forums ya'll mentioned and had a great time doing it. I am currently reading through The Family Cow and it is full of great information.

Kstaven, I have considered a miniature cow and in fact went to visit a Dexter farm not far from here. They are lovely cows....but after your experience with the "traveling cow", would you still think they are a good bet?

 

[kstaven]

If the breeder is being upfront about the nature of their breeding line then YES. For dual purpose, look for a shorter legged and more barrel bodied dexter. The longer legged dexter generally gives a bit more milk but the feed conversion and meat elements go out the window.

In the dexter world there are those in it for nothing but the money and those who actually care about temperment and the overall product. I learned my lesson on listening to a public reputation and did the one thing I have never done before in my life. That is, buy sight unseen. Always request that you are able to see and handle an animal before buying.

 

[BirdBrain]

Thank you!! Those are good words of advice.