Considering cows - Dexters?

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Considering cows - Dexters?
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Andrea

Joined: 02 May 2005
Posts: 2260
Location: Portugal

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 15 4:17 pm Post subject: Considering cows - Dexters?

I'd like to slowly transition from goats to cows, and have found a breeding pair of Dexters for sale not too far away. As a smaller breed they would seem not a bad choice for someone new to cows. Would you agree?

Are they as hardy a breed as the seller says they are? He claims they'll cope well with our temperature range (40 degrees tops, snow in winter) providing they have some shade.

As a complete cow numpty, what might I have forgotten to consider?

Pilsbury

Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 5645
Location: East london/Essex

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 15 4:38 pm Post subject:
Rob R is your man on this I think although others have dexters. The meat is amazing.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 15 5:07 pm Post subject:

Two might not be enough. They will want a bigger herd and may go and find one.

Temperature wise, mine stayed fully outside all year round for a decade or so. Occassionally -20 up to high twenties, low thirties. Damp seemed to piss them off most. They hide under trees in the hot sun, but usually sat happily in the grass, just catching rays.

They do fit nicely in the freezer, and the meat is certainly good anywhere between 18 and 45 months old.

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 15 5:17 pm Post subject: Re: Considering cows - Dexters?

Andrea wrote:

No.

Andrea wrote:

Are they as hardy a breed as the seller says they are? He cls they'll cope well with our temperature range (40 degrees tops, snow in winter) providing they have some shade.

Yes.

I'm wondering what you mean by 'breeding pair'? ie a bull and a cow or a couple of breeding cows? If the former I'd advise against it on multiple levels. Cattle are social animals and need company and there are times when you'd need to separate the sexes, particularly when female calves get older.

It's a common misconception that Dexters are a beginners breed - they're not and many people find them too much to handle as a result. They are wonderful cattle, but you do need to be confident with them as they will take advantage otherwise. If the breeder is willing to help you make the transition to competent cow-keeper there's no reason not to start with Dexters but if you're on your own there are other breeds that will be easier to learn the ropes on. The size doesn't mean you can overpower them as much as they can outwit, and outrun you.

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 15 5:24 pm Post subject:
I'd have thought you'd be better off with a local breed really.

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 15 6:07 pm Post subject:

sean wrote:

I'd have thought you'd be better off with a local breed really.

We don't really have one round here, though

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 15 6:17 pm Post subject:
Nana.

Andrea

Joined: 02 May 2005
Posts: 2260
Location: Portugal

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 15 6:37 pm Post subject:

sean wrote:

I'd have thought you'd be better off with a local breed really.

These are local to me, which is a major consideration when the transport costs more than the animals.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46239
Location: yes

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 15 6:58 pm Post subject:

what rob and nick said.

even with expert tuition i found them a bit "interesting" compared to jersey girls which was my previous ,rather limited, moo experience.
a couple of them could be a bit stroppy and dexter steers are very protective of a mum and calf herd.

in some ways the highland steers i was also learning on were easier to handle ,although they were a bit bouncy and could easily flip one behind the knees with a long horn by accident they were easier to persuade to comply with simple stuff like moving and not moving etc etc .

ps as they said two is not enough.

Andrea

Joined: 02 May 2005
Posts: 2260
Location: Portugal

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 15 7:38 am Post subject:

Thanks, all of you, for guidance.

It's a male and a female, unrelated. The owner isn't too far away from me and seems very willing to assist, and we have a wonderful chap in the village who used to keep cows so I don't feel totally unsupported. As far as the size of the cow goes, I think I'm no more likely to be able to physically wrangle a Dexter than I would a larger breed. I was thinking of the less milk aspect, and the size of my existing building until I can extend.

There's a few wrinkles to check out, but I'm leaning towards going with these two if I can come up with the money. They're pretty much on my doorstep and the benefits of buying a couple of cows locally from someone who's willing to assist (and speaks English!) potentially outweighs other difficulties at the moment. They are also apparently used to goats.

Much though I'd like to buy a whole herd to keep each other company, or local traditional breeds, finances just simply don't allow it and I'd rather start somewhere than not at all.

The jury is still out though, as is the bank manager!

Thanks.

RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 15 11:44 am Post subject:
Get two females & borrow a male as needed. Why pay all year for bull when they are only needed for a short time?

Andrea

Joined: 02 May 2005
Posts: 2260
Location: Portugal

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 15 12:05 pm Post subject:

RichardW wrote:

Get two females & borrow a male as needed.

Why pay all year for bull when they are only needed for a short time?

Good logic, but I live in the back end of beyond with not another cow for miles. Have been through this with the goats and, transport and bureaucracy being what they are, find it far easier to keep my own.

crofter

Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 2252

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 15 12:10 pm Post subject:
If you have enough land to build up a larger herd, go for it. But Richard is right about the bull, is there any chance of AI in the back of beyond?

crofter

Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 2252

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 15 12:13 pm Post subject:
IIRC John Seymour suggested a minimum of 12 cows before it is worth keeping your own bull. Probably more than that nowadays?

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 15 12:26 pm Post subject:

crofter wrote:

IIRC John Seymour suggested a minimum of 12 cows before it is worth keeping your own bull. Probably more than that nowadays?

*Puts pedantic hat on* Probably not worth keeping them at all these days.

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