Having a steer as a pet as well as questions!

[Cowgirls Boots]

Yup, just as the title says.

We recently aquired 3 jersey calves. We have had the older one for over a month and recently got two more, who are about 2 weeks old. We also have 2, 2 1/2 month old goats.

Right now, everyone is in a stall with a run to outside that we built so they can stretch their legs. But, I have a few questions.

The older calf, who is 2 1/2 months old is eating hay and grain on his own and at a good rate. Also eats grass. Eventually, I would like for all the cows and goats to be able to go out into the large pasture with the horses. When could the larger calf and the goats be able to go out with the horses? I know the larger calf is probably fine to go out with them but the goats I am scared will either get trampled by the horses or will sneak their way out of the fences and run off. They are still small but are apparently going to get atleast 200+ pounds once fully grown.

Any insight would be awesome! Also, any pros/cons to keeping cows in with horses or vice versa? Thanks!

 

[cavemanrich]

Throw in a few chickens in with them as well. roflmao. Now what are your plans to do with the ofsprings when the cows and horses do HANKI PANKI. And how will the goats feel ??????? . =D=D=D
Ok. Now in real terms. If you have a large pasture. then all will get along. If you have close quarters, then it would be best to keep them separate. This is my opinion. I am not a farmer but until age 8, lived among farm peeps. Still have a few cousins that do raise farm animals... WISHING YOU BEST.

And almost forgot..

 

[Cowgirls Boots]

I have two paddocks. One is a dirt lot with a shed. The smaller paddock has a gate opening up into the big paddock which is about 6 acres. My horses go out for the day into the big grass paddock but get locked in the smaller dirt paddock at night so they don't get too rotund. I have no idea what I am going to do come winter because my horses stay in the smaller paddock all winter so they don't ruin the grass in the big field. I don't need the cows tearing down fences though if they get locked up in the small paddock as well.

And thank you!!

 

[cavemanrich]

Well, you have a little time before winter still. If I were you. I would be looking and asking some of the neighboring farms how they handle things similar. You know there is a solution, just don't exactly the easiest one YET.
YOU KNOW I'M SINCERELY WISHING YOU BEST...

 

[rides2far]

The horses & cattle should get along fine, don't know about the goats! I have had one aggressive horse, but if your horses are mellow, the goats should be ok. I would wait until they have some size to them. I would wait until the calves were a little older, since they don't have their moms to watch out for them.

 

[rides2far]

BTW, it's tough not to get attached to calves. I was in 4-H & always TRIED to keep a distance to my steers, since I knew I would be selling them

. Our meat steer we didn't name him or even mess with him, but I still felt bad when he was butchered.