***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[Kassaundra]

that could be dangerous! lol

Yes, I would think it better if you wore pj's that you didn't mind your neighbors seeing you in, rather then what they would like to see you in! lol

 

[Cassietr]

from what we've read they're super easy and better for smaller acreages. There was a guy on youtube that we found he has 25 head on 25 acres where you can't do that with standard size cattle. They are cheaper to raise and have a better meat to hanging weight ratio.  Standard cattle you about 50% meat from hanging weight, mini's you get about 60% since they have less bone mass.  They are for milking & butchering. Milking they produce 2-3 gal/day where as a standard produces up to 10 gal/day.  We are new to this also.  My hubby has always wanted cattle, but we just weren't sure about their size and getting our land prepped for them, but these seems much better.  We've already got a spot just perfect for 2-3 of them.  We will use them for meat and possibly milk.  My little family of 4 goes through 1-1.5 gal of milk per day.  We have strong bones!!  

full sized cattle is 60% hanging weight typically. We've had better, but thats average. They sure are cute, but I've got 2 freezers to fill and only occasionally have bulls (steers) lol. So i need max beef per head!! Lol

 

[Kimbroe1981]

Quote: I was just going off the average from what I read, i really know nothing about any sort of cow. Other than they're Delicious! We will keep a bull and probably 2 heifers and breed those and see where that takes us.

I'm eaves dropping on my hubby's phone conversation, and I think we just bought a cow that's already been bred.

 

[Greybear23]

Well after morning all, I got on late due to wife being off today and on the computer, we moves some chickens around today, took the momma away from some chicks and had a hen with an abscess on her foot, we lanced it and lots of hard yellow puss came out of it, let it bleed some and then put Neosporin on it and gauze wrapped it with duct tape over it. Put her in a cage alone with some Teramycin in the water and food, will see how she is tomorrow. Also found a few site to share with yall, if you are into storing up food for disaster of buying food stuff in bulk you may want to check these out, I thought they were interesting and may order some stuff from them, sent off for a free sample from one. Have a great day all!! Lynn

http://wisefoodstorage.com/outdoor-food-kits/

http://www.shelfreliance.com/

http://www.augasonfarms.com/

http://beprepared.com/

 

[cathiesue]

Yes, I would think it better if you wore pj's that you didn't mind your neighbors seeing you in, rather then what they would like to see you in! lol

Hmmm...maybe that's what they meant.

 

[Greybear23]

Good Monday to ya'll! We have decided here to embark on a new adventure. Looks like we're going to get some cattle, not sure when, but we found the mini dexters and herefords and fell in love with them. This should be one interesting ride. I'm extremely excited, scared, but excited. Like I've said before, I was born & raised a city girl. I have always had a love for all animals and wanted to live in the country. This country living has been great so far. Love my chickens, Love my garden, my 6 year old tell us everyday that he' so glad we moved out here, why not bring on some cattle.

I have been interested in the mini cattle for a while also, I was thinking of the Mini Jersey as a milk cow due to the fact we don't need a lot of milk a day, we only go through a couple gallons a week and could make butter, cottage cheese and used the excess in the pig and chicken's feedings. I like the looks of the Mini Herefords also and have been considering the Mini Zebu (like a Brahma), I think they would be the perfect size for a small farm and to keep a family in meat, i know when we butchered a whole steer weighing 1500 pounds we had to split it with someone to fit it in the freezer, as our upright would only hold half and that last us most of the year with fresh pork also. You can find some of the Zebu and Mini cattle at the Exotic auctions sometime, I know we seen them at the Exotic auction that used to be in Prauge now moved to Grove Okla.before. Good luck and I may be interested in purchasing a Heifer from you when you get going with them, Thanks, Lynn

 

[Buster52]

from what we've read they're super easy and better for smaller acreages. There was a guy on youtube that we found he has 25 head on 25 acres where you can't do that with standard size cattle. They are cheaper to raise and have a better meat to hanging weight ratio. Standard cattle you about 50% meat from hanging weight, mini's you get about 60% since they have less bone mass. They are for milking & butchering. Milking they produce 2-3 gal/day where as a standard produces up to 10 gal/day. We are new to this also. My hubby has always wanted cattle, but we just weren't sure about their size and getting our land prepped for them, but these seems much better. We've already got a spot just perfect for 2-3 of them. We will use them for meat and possibly milk. My little family of 4 goes through 1-1.5 gal of milk per day. We have strong bones!!

I'll be following your adventures carefully. DW keeps bugging me for cattle, but I grew up with them and am reluctant. All I remember is how much work they were, but that was dairy work. I'll never again awaken in the wee hours to milk ANYTHING, no matter how small.

But meat... well, that is a different story, mayhaps.

 

[jcatblum]

DD found a guinea nest yesterday, except it also had a mix of green & blue chicken eggs! My birds are so crazy sometimes. Just when you think egg production has been slashed we discover they are just getting sneaky.
Almost finished with market prep. Tomatoes are slowing, we picked 100 lbs Saturday & only picked 50lbs today. In 2 wks I am thinking our tomato load will be less than 50lbs a wk. Picked 50lbs of armanian cucmbers! Those things are out of control! On a sad note the squash bugs have found my melon patch. Hopefully the big melons will ripen quick!
Scored about 80lbs of peaches so going to experiment with peach salsa, dehydrated peaches & of course freeze & can lots of them. We only have 1 jar of canned peaches left in the pantry.

I am jealous of the mini cattle, but then I look at the window & think of all the good times I have with my neighbors cattle. I am really not interested in battling a 600 lb animal to stay in the fence! I will continue to buy my beef supply from the neighbors, my money goes further than my muscles often!

I bought a Ninja at the Walters auction for $3. It was still brand new. I haven't played with it yet. I have a 14c wide mouth food processor & all the food processing attachments for my kitchen aid stand mixer. Really bought the ninja for DH to take with him when he is away for months at a time for work. He loves smoothies! I have been wanting kitchen aids new food processor, after our salsa making marathon DH said I should just to buy it already. Our anniversary is Monday, so maybe that is what I will buy myself.

 

[Kimbroe1981]

We just bought our first cow! She's a Registered Dexter about 3 years old (her name is Sue). We can't get her until August since she has a calf with her. She's also just been bred, so when we do get her she should have a baby this spring. We go look at her tomorrow and give them earnest money for her. Should be interesting!

 

[sdsknifeworks]

from what we've read they're super easy and better for smaller acreages. There was a guy on youtube that we found he has 25 head on 25 acres where you can't do that with standard size cattle. They are cheaper to raise and have a better meat to hanging weight ratio. Standard cattle you about 50% meat from hanging weight, mini's you get about 60% since they have less bone mass. They are for milking & butchering. Milking they produce 2-3 gal/day where as a standard produces up to 10 gal/day. We are new to this also. My hubby has always wanted cattle, but we just weren't sure about their size and getting our land prepped for them, but these seems much better. We've already got a spot just perfect for 2-3 of them. We will use them for meat and possibly milk. My little family of 4 goes through 1-1.5 gal of milk per day. We have strong bones!!

Hmmm, I may have to do some research on this. I have the room for a few cattle so I had never really considered the smaller ones. Thanks.

SDS