North Carolina

[abChicken]

Hit the add link button and then copy and paste the website address to the link bar www.CarolinaJournal.com

Thanks Wild OM like me may remember that day or two

www.carolinajournal.com

 

[NewHomesteader2010]

I just read an article on Raw milk last nite in Carolina Journal CarolinaJournal.com Don't no if You can get it on line or not. Feb issue.

How in dickens do u make something to click on like CarolinaJournal.com

Thank you AB for the article...it was a GREAT article...well written and one can only hope that it inspires change...lol, although I highly doubt it!!

Thanks so much for those links! Hubby wants a "purebred" even if it's not up to breed standards, because that way we'd have a better chance of selling any future calves. We live about an hour west-ish from you, between Burlington and Chapel Hill (that's according to bing maps and me looking up Johnston County, so it could be further or even a bit closer). $7500 is a bit out of our price range! There is a breeder in VA somewhere that sells mini Jerseys for around $2500, but so far that's the cheapest we could find. We have about 2.5 acres of cleared "yard" surrounded by another 55+ acres of mostly woods, but a few fields, so if need be, plenty of land for a full size cow.

We did find that if you're getting more milk than you can use in a week or so, if you put it in plastic jugs, you can freeze it for 3+ months. That way you could save some up for when you're breeding the cow, and she won't be producing milk. We've been doing that already, we buy milk at Sam's Club once a month (about 6-8 gallons) and freeze it till we need it, just give the jug a shake to remix it since the milk can separate. It's saving us a bit of money that way, but I'd still rather have fresh milk.

I did see the people in VA that sell theirs for the 2500...lol and I LAUGHED at the farm that was trying to sell the minis for 7500 for that is WAY out of our price range! I wish the guy in UT was closer as his are much more reasonable ($800 for a mini) - then again, he's doing it on a larger scale, but they are all registered, so that's good. We've thought about purchasing an older standard cow - but I keep hearing that they really don't do well alone so we were looking at finding a pair - even if it was mother and calf. I am JEALOUS of how much land you have!! We have 5 acres (including our "patch of woods" but our elderly neighbor owns 200+ acres around us and we've been trying to talk to him about selling it - especially since he no longer farms and just rents out the fields - the woods just sit there) so I don't think a standard size cow would be really comfortable on what we could offer. Our "cleared" land equates to just about 2 acres (not counting the house, garden or orchard), thus our "need" for a mini. I did not know you could freeze it though...can you freeze raw milk too?? I know that ours (or at least what we get) is really dense with cream and I didn't think cream froze well with the milk?!? <sigh> I am such a newbie when it comes to homesteading!! Lots to learn, but a real desire to learn all the same!! Thank you for your advice and tips!! If you do find a breeder, would you be so kind as to let us know too??

 

[CricketR4]

Thank you AB for the article...it was a GREAT article...well written and one can only hope that it inspires change...lol, although I highly doubt it!!

I did see the people in VA that sell theirs for the 2500...lol and I LAUGHED at the farm that was trying to sell the minis for 7500 for that is WAY out of our price range! I wish the guy in UT was closer as his are much more reasonable ($800 for a mini) - then again, he's doing it on a larger scale, but they are all registered, so that's good. We've thought about purchasing an older standard cow - but I keep hearing that they really don't do well alone so we were looking at finding a pair - even if it was mother and calf. I am JEALOUS of how much land you have!! We have 5 acres (including our "patch of woods" but our elderly neighbor owns 200+ acres around us and we've been trying to talk to him about selling it - especially since he no longer farms and just rents out the fields - the woods just sit there) so I don't think a standard size cow would be really comfortable on what we could offer. Our "cleared" land equates to just about 2 acres (not counting the house, garden or orchard), thus our "need" for a mini. I did not know you could freeze it though...can you freeze raw milk too?? I know that ours (or at least what we get) is really dense with cream and I didn't think cream froze well with the milk?!? <sigh> I am such a newbie when it comes to homesteading!! Lots to learn, but a real desire to learn all the same!! Thank you for your advice and tips!! If you do find a breeder, would you be so kind as to let us know too??

From all the things I've read, you can freeze raw milk, it'll still separate, so definitely give it a good shake. Just remember, glass bottles will break in the freezer, so put it in a sanitized plastic milk jug before you freeze, also, it can take 2-3 days to defrost in the fridge.

You CAN keep a cow on 1 acre per cow, so you could get a full size, just bring it in at night so it's not grazing at night. We were also thinking of keeping a steer calf with a cow whether we go full or mini, just so we can raise our own beef and keep the cow company. We lease the house and land, and landlord doesn't care what animals we keep, as long as we keep the place clean. We're hoping to do a rent to own type situation, but right now, they're asking around 40k per acre!! That would amount to about 2mil for the entire property!

We will definitely let you know if we find a breeder. I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to homesteading as well, but growing up, my best friend lived on a dairy farm, so I learned a LOT as I was over there almost every day, and I've retained quite a bit of that info. Plus, I LOVE to read, so anything new I find out, I'll read as much info as I can on that topic, so I guess that helps me out too.

 

[Hollowoakfarm]

Be careful who you tell that you own part of a cow. In our ridiculous state, cow-sharing is not legal! The wrong person can cause you problems. Personally, I think it's ridiculous, and I used to sell my goat milk...for "pet consumption and soap making", as the law allows, but really, everyone knew that milk was going into people. We need laws like SC has on milk.

Cow sharing isn't legal?  I did not know that!  What defines an illegal cow share?  If you own a cow and pay for room and board (much like a horse, as we do - is that still illegal?) is that defined as a cow share or is it speaking specifically of owning a "share" as in a stock of a cow?  I don't want to get anyone in trouble!!  Thank you for the heads up, I will choose my words more carefully so I don't get anyone in trouble!!

NC frowns on what I would simply call "co-ownership" of a cow. They call it "cow-sharing". When I get home today, I'll try to find links for you on that one.

 

[BuffyGRL]

Thank you AB for the article...it was a GREAT article...well written and one can only hope that it inspires change...lol, although I highly doubt it!!

I did see the people in VA that sell theirs for the 2500...lol and I LAUGHED at the farm that was trying to sell the minis for 7500 for that is WAY out of our price range! I wish the guy in UT was closer as his are much more reasonable ($800 for a mini) - then again, he's doing it on a larger scale, but they are all registered, so that's good. We've thought about purchasing an older standard cow - but I keep hearing that they really don't do well alone so we were looking at finding a pair - even if it was mother and calf. I am JEALOUS of how much land you have!! We have 5 acres (including our "patch of woods" but our elderly neighbor owns 200+ acres around us and we've been trying to talk to him about selling it - especially since he no longer farms and just rents out the fields - the woods just sit there) so I don't think a standard size cow would be really comfortable on what we could offer. Our "cleared" land equates to just about 2 acres (not counting the house, garden or orchard), thus our "need" for a mini. I did not know you could freeze it though...can you freeze raw milk too?? I know that ours (or at least what we get) is really dense with cream and I didn't think cream froze well with the milk?!? <sigh> I am such a newbie when it comes to homesteading!! Lots to learn, but a real desire to learn all the same!! Thank you for your advice and tips!! If you do find a breeder, would you be so kind as to let us know too??

When looking for mini jerseys there are a few things to find out about their stock before purchasing. Some breeders have known to outcross with dexters. Dexters can be carriers of Chondrodysplasia or bulldog gene. My grandfather began raising mini jerseys in the 1950's and my dad has managed the farm along with my grandfather who has now passed away. People from many states have purchased from them. When you find true mini jerseys that have been kept in their original form and not outcrossed they will be rather expensive. IMO I would be very leary of anyone selling them for $800. Also I would ask for infomation on where they obtained their stock and do the homework. There can be so many deceiving people who don't really care about the breed, rather they are trying to make money. Jerseys are very docile and easy to halter train, they are easy keepers and great milkers. I have also seen stock that was registered that was from lineage not all Jersey. There are terms such as foundation pure and native pure which I have only read of. But those are a few things that may help you out on the search for some minis.

 

[Hollowoakfarm]

Jake is cleared to work! Woohoo!

 

[ramirezframing]

glad to hear Jake can still work

Is anyone going to the East Fayetteville flock swap this Saturday?

 

[moomoodiddy]

Ok, not chicken new but animal question.
How can I tell if a cat is going to have kittens?
I know she was breed (my fault, I miss calculated how old she is, because she is a little kitty).
Now I want to get her fixed but I think she is pregnant.
I know I can have her fixed well pregnant but is costs more and is more dangerous than a regular spay.

Depending on how far along she is you can give her a shot idk what it's called but also if she's that young her body will reject the pregnancy also when I had a prefo cat I could feel lumps in her sides I forget how far along she was though

 

[CricketR4]

Depending on how far along she is you can give her a shot idk what it's called but also if she's that young her body will reject the pregnancy also when I had a prefo cat I could feel lumps in her sides I forget how far along she was though

I've known of cats to get pregnant at 6 months (the earliest they can) and go full term, so not all cats will reject the pregnancy if they are young.

 

[moomoodiddy]

well yea not all some will die from it but i was thinking younger than 6 months