Homesteaders

[wyoDreamer]

The American Milking Devon is a hardy breed that does well on forage only. The butterfat content is similar to Jersey milk and the meat is high quality. They are a medium size cattle, with the cows around 1,100 lbs. at maturity.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

I totally agree Rancher. Everything goes on paper, usually with 3 plans for security. We started small and are one step at a time expanding . Every couple years we will be adding a new project. First was a garden now chickens and next will come ??? Who knows. What part of NYS? We are broome co.

 

[Talithahorse]

It also depends on the horse you get. A fine bred thoroughbred is soooo much more expensive than a short draft horse (preferably a mixed breed). The "big boys" like your percheron, belgian, ardennais, or suffock punch are actually easier to keep than the warm and hotbloods. What my thoroughbred would eat in a day, would feed my percheron for two weeks. Actually if you want the most efficient breeds try your ponies (many were used in the coal mines) and are good sturdy breeds. The problem is they are harder to find but cheaper to feed and manage.

On a completely different note, tell me more about the Devon cow. Sounds like what I am looking for....

 

[rancher hicks]

I totally agree Rancher. Everything goes on paper, usually with 3 plans for security. We started small and are one step at a time expanding . Every couple years we will be adding a new project. First was a garden now chickens and next will come ??? Who knows. What part of NYS? We are broome co.

I'm in East Syracuse. A hoop is easy and cheap. Plan you location well. I have two half hoops not where I want them and they won't be easy to move. A half hoop will hold 6-8 chickens provided you can let them out each day.

This double holds 12 - 14 but should and will have a bigger run. They are let out occasionally. When I'm out and about.

As I suggested a "berm" helps water to run away from the coop. Not something I planned into the area. I should have made a small mound first. Water drains in front of the door way. It's on blocks so I can raise it a bit. It's four cattle panels long. The tarp will be replaced with corrugated panels as funds allow.



I learned to surround my garden with rustic fencing the first year I got chickens.

 

[rancher hicks]

The American Milking Devon is a hardy breed that does well on forage only. The butterfat content is similar to Jersey milk and the meat is high quality. They are a medium size cattle, with the cows around 1,100 lbs. at maturity.

I think they had farmers who had this breed at the ALBC conference I went to years ago. Cheeses made from their milk and I beef served at the dinner. They're a smaller breed is that right?

 

[cppeace]

The American Milking Devon is a hardy breed that does well on forage only. The butterfat content is similar to Jersey milk and the meat is high quality. They are a medium size cattle, with the cows around 1,100 lbs. at maturity.

Do they have many issues delivery issues or mastitis problems? Jerseys are easy delivers but have mastitis issues often. Milking Shorthorn I know is good meat, milk and hardy overall.

 

[wyoDreamer]

It has been a little while since I searched on them, I was trying to compare the American Milking Devon and the Dexter. Both have similar traits, the Devon is from England originally and the Dexter originated from Ireland. The Dexter is smaller, typically considered dual-purpose for meat and milk; but can be considered a triple purpose breed also as it can be used as oxen also.

Both breeds are known for ease of calving and being good mothers - although the Dexter can have a genetic trait for a form of dwarfism. I think it expresses as a shorter leg length. The Dexter is known for exceptional meat, although the cuts are smaller in size since the cow itself is only around 800 lbs full grown.

They are not huge milk producers - like a Holstein or Jersey - so mastitis should not really be a problem. They produce pretty well though, especially for a cow on grass. According to Wikipedia, a Dexter will produce about 2 gallons of milk a day.

 

[rancher hicks]

It has been a little while since I searched on them, I was trying to compare the American Milking Devon and the Dexter.  Both have similar traits, the Devon is from England originally and the Dexter originated from Ireland.  The Dexter is smaller, typically considered dual-purpose for meat and milk; but can be considered a triple purpose breed also as it can be used as oxen also.

Both breeds are known for ease of calving and being good mothers - although the Dexter can have a genetic trait for a form of dwarfism.  I think it expresses as a shorter leg length.  The Dexter is known for exceptional meat, although the cuts are smaller in size since the cow itself is only around 800 lbs full grown.

They are not huge milk producers - like a Holstein or Jersey - so mastitis should not really be a problem.  They produce pretty well though, especially for a cow on grass.  According to Wikipedia, a Dexter will produce about 2 gallons of milk a day.

Dexter cattle that's what they were.

 

[wyoDreamer]

Yeah, the Dexters are getting to be more popular and more available. In fact, some farmers are using Dexter bulls (Or AI semen) over heifers for their first calves, to produce a smaller calf. Since the Dexter is a smaller cow and mild mannered, they are a good choice for the small homestead.

 

[rancher hicks]

Yeah, the Dexters are getting to be more popular and more available. In fact, some farmers are using Dexter bulls (Or AI semen) over heifers for their first calves, to produce a smaller calf. Since the Dexter is a smaller cow and mild mannered, they are a good choice for the small homestead.

I believe there was some discussion over the long legged and short legged and the crossing of them. Is this right? I wasn't at the conference for Cattle but had a good time just the same. I went because I have Delaware chickens. That part of the conference was a disappointment though. The folks were super and the food very good.