What's with your user name? And what about that avatar?

[Fierlin1182]

a reference to sustainable living

I reckon it's great that more and more people are trying to make their lifestyles more sustainable these days.

Hey fawkes

 

[Sustained]

I reckon it's great that more and more people are trying to make their lifestyles more sustainable these days.

Hey fawkes

Where we live now is the first time I've not lived on a farm. I prefer homegrown... everything. I'm debating how the neighbors would take it if I got a milk goat. (I just can't see a large dairy cow in our backyard) I often tell my husband that I'm pretty sure all our neighbors think the Beverly Hillbillies moved in next door

 

[hennible]

Jersey cows are not that big
( I want one)

 

[islandgirl82]

Go with a Dexter. They're about the size of my mini donkey.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/home...all-farm-cows-dexter-cattle-zmaz01djzgoe.aspx

 

[hennible]

Go with a Dexter.  They're about the size of my mini donkey.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/home...all-farm-cows-dexter-cattle-zmaz01djzgoe.aspx

That breed is going on my must find list... Thank you... I just prefer cows milk over goat... Those Dexter cows look perfect!

 

[Sustained]

Jersey cows are not that big

( I want one)

LOL my husbands uncle happens to have a dairy farm with jerseys. I can just see my neighbors faces when they figure out that I didn't make a concrete swimming pool in the backyard. It's actually a ummm 'holding tank'

I can probably rig a way to connect it to my sprinkler system. I'd have the greenest yard in town

Have to run it at night though. I'm sure I would be breaking some sort of sanitary ordinances or something lol

Go with a Dexter. They're about the size of my mini donkey.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/home...all-farm-cows-dexter-cattle-zmaz01djzgoe.aspx

I've never heard of a Dexter before but I LOVE the idea! Cows are so much quieter than goats. And bulls don't stink lol I'm going to show my husband that link. I miss having real milk. I've been trying to make cheese out of the store bought stuff but it hasn't been going very well. Supposedly I can make butter out of it too but I'm kind of doubtful at this point.

 

[islandgirl82]

I had this idea when I was about 19 to have a miniature farm. Not a small hobby farm or homestead...a farm where all animals were miniature (except dogs...I like big dogs). I did my research and have since let that idea go but having smaller animals like these Dexters, or dwarf goats do make a lot of sense when you're just looking to be self-sustaining and not trying to make a profit.

 

[perchie.girl]

There are also miniature sheep called Baby Dolls and miniature pigs... not potbellys.... and pigs dont stink either....

I want an Ox... any bovine male or female once trained to a yoke are called an OX after they reach the age of four. So for me that would be to start with a steer.... you start training them as bucket babies to all the commands and the feel of the Yolk and dragging very very light things... But you dont start teaching them to work till they are at least four or five...

After that game is on. They are lower to the ground and have a higher threshold for pain... not to say I would be giving pain but they dont tire as easily as a horse would working under the same conditions. Perfect use around a small homestead for hauling stuff a little plowing and harrowing... Hauling the manure spreader stuff like that..

Dexter Oxen



Yep I have a draft horse but shes a fruit loop got too much get up and go for farm work....

I wouldnt raise anything that needs milking.... too much responsibility for me.

deb

 

[fawkestheman]

Personally I love the Scottish Highlands! They look like dogs! I don't know how their milk production is though...

 

[islandgirl82]

Personally I love the Scottish Highlands! They look like dogs! I don't know how their milk production is though...

They're my favorite breed of cattle and great foragers but they're more for meat than milk although would likely be just fine for those looking for just enough for their own families.