Homesteaders

[Chicken girl 15]

We use to have cows and chickens together in one barn as a kid, however, the practice came to an end when the cows would step on the chickens as the chickens did not fair well with a cow hoof on their backs,,,,,,and the milk inspector was not really happy with the chickens in the barn either...

all milking will be done in a "clean room" type set up plus we won't be selling milk. We will only have 1 milk cow and that will supply for just us, so do I need to talk to the milk inspector?

If my cows are in the barn long enough to step on a chicken they are getting cut back on the amount of hay available in the barn. I rather all my critters outside as much as possible.

 

[duluthralphie]

all milking will be done in a "clean room" type set up plus we won't be selling milk. We will only have 1 milk cow and that will supply for just us, so do I need to talk to the milk inspector?

If my cows are in the barn long enough to step on a chicken they are getting cut back on the amount of hay available in the barn. I rather all my critters outside as much as possible.

I think you will be fine. Milk inspectors were over rated.

We have had chickens with cows, pig, horses, sheep and goats. The smart one avoid the hoofs, the dumb ones die. I think that is called Darwin's theory of survival of the fittest.

I am having a horrible year, here at the end. I live on sand, pure sand. Sand so pure and dry I can leave a hose run for days and not get a puddle. We have had so much rain a large portion of my cabbage crop is ruined. Normally I can leave it in the garden until it freezes and bring it in. This year it is rotting on the stalks!

My squash and pumpkins are still ok, if the monsoons ever stop I will be harvesting before the frost this year. I hate doing that. Living as far north as I do the "fruits' need as much growing time as they can get. A light frost never hurts the fruit just kills the vines. This year is just weird!

 

[KlopKlop]

Woohoo!!!!I convinced hubby I need cows. Come spring we start putting fencing around our property.

But yes a little bit of lard does a big improvement in overall health. Dog food is great, if you buy an expensive one. However I am poor so I buy good food and supplement with extras.

What kinds are you getting? Jersey? Swiss? Beef steers too?

 

[Chicken girl 15]

What kinds are you getting? Jersey? Swiss? Beef steers too?

I plan on getting a pregnant dexter. They are small and I'm on 9 acres. Plus the dexter provides 2ish gallons of moo juice a day. And they grow out in a short time. Plus a little mini pony for my aunt to drive and a quarter horse for working my property. The horses are not for a few years food source comes first.

 

[GardenNut]

That sounds like a great plan @Chicken girl 15!

I just moved to 6 acres, with about 3 fenced. I'd like to have a milk source, but since it's just me, a cow or even a goat seems to be too much milk. I'm in no rush though. But it's fun to dream and plan!

Good luck with that Dexter!

 

[Chicken girl 15]

@GardenNut thank you for the encouragement. I need it. My husband and I are trying hard but it's slow going.

 

[spurrer]

Do you know how to milk a cow?

 

[KlopKlop]

I plan on getting a pregnant dexter. They are small and I'm on 9 acres. Plus the dexter provides 2ish gallons of moo juice a day. And they grow out in a short time. Plus a little mini pony for my aunt to drive and a quarter horse for working my property. The horses are not for a few years food source comes first.

Dexters are my favorite breed! Our goal is to add cows in spring 2018 and I'm thinking Dexters too. Our land is in soybeans this year so we are going to working establishing pasture next summer and fencing.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

Do you know how to milk a cow?

that I do know. The rest of the cow care will have to be learned.

 

[duluthralphie]

Do you know how to milk a cow?

If you train them properly you never have to milk them. We use to have them gingerly step over the bucket and on command release all the milk. It was a fast efficient way to operate a dairy farm.