who much food??

seacon dexters · Post by **seacon dexters** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 5:05 pm

Hi, I am pretty new to dexters and I am getting them ai'd this month. I have been told to try and get them to lose wait. Who much do I decrease their feed by??

Thanks, Phillip

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 6:04 pm

First - Welcome aboard Phillip. Nice to see another newbie taking the plunge.

Are you talking forage? I let mine have forage ad lib, but if I'm trying to keep their weight down then I let them run out every other day for half a day or so. Not very scientific but I'm using ring-feeders so no other method really.

Alternatively, every third day or so I give them some low-value forage or straw. I wouldn't think it would be good to suddenly get them to lose weight quickly. Slowly, slowly catch a monkey.

You could hire a bull maybe?

Edited By Broomcroft on 1196615197

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 6:58 pm

Welcome Phillip. It is bad policy to suddenly change livestock rations. If you are feeding concentrates phase them out gradually, Dexters don't need them. Grass fed Dexters can carry a fair bit of weight but it doesn't seem to have affected the fertility, or calving ability, here. Mine are in for the winter now with adlib haylage in front of them all the time.

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 11:35 pm

Do they look OK to you, Di? Nice and well covered? Grass loses some of its value at this time of year but what you are doing sounds fine. When I had a few I left them out with a ring feeder of haylage (it is easier to make that here in wet Wales than hay). Those were the days.

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 4:53 am

We just give ours a biscuit of hay each during Winter. That and the grass they're on is all they need. They may need more grass area though, as it'll be growing slower during Winter.

Phillip, couldn't you just let them graze in the paddocks instead of feeding them hard feed as well? As Sylvia says, phase it out of their diets. Dexters don't usually need much alternative feed. In the middle of Winter, if they can't get outside to graze because of snow, then you will need to give them some hard feed as well as hay, but if the grass is still growing, they'll manage fine on that.

Rutherford · Post by **Rutherford** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:55 am

I can see danger here with it being an international site. In this country it would be unwise to assume an all grass diet in winter. The Dexter is a hardy little animal and will survive where others wouldn’t, but unlike New Zealand I would not advise relying on winter grazing to supply more than small proportion of the feed. They will need a generous ration of hay or silage as well. It is also wise to be aware, that as the winter progresses, it is possible to look at them one day and be satisfied, while the next you wonder how they could have lost so much condition overnight! Over the years I have too often come across Dexters owned by newcomers, obviously underfed and in poor condition, and part of the blame must go to Dexter enthusiasts who emphasise their ability to do well, they cant do it on fresh air.

Beryl (Woodmagic)

wagra dexters · Post by **wagra dexters** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 10:26 am

After a very stressful week of panic attacks & night mares, 95% humidity, clammy & overcast, storm cells going over & around us every afternoon, we now have 75 round bales, equal to 1125 small bales, of oaten rye & clover.
Now it's easy for me to say that cattle should have unrestricted access to hay over winter. They need it to keep warm.
Margaret.

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 11:15 am

Wow Margaret,

What a relief that must be for you!

Stephanie

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:19 pm

I am not sure this site lowers the stress levels of people contributing.

Apart from worrying about what is happening on our own farms we have to simultaneously sympathise with 19" of wet snow in one part of the world and the trials of harvesting in imperfect weather in another.

Am I alone in thinking that madness is creeping up at a rate of knots. Come to think of it I've often thought I was mad to get Dexters anyway. So maybe it is just me that is a lost cause or are we all heading for the funny farm.

:p

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:37 pm

Hhmm! Sylvia ???

I seem to remember a record with lyrics about "The funny Farm" Probably about 30 years ago and thinking then - just how well it applied to my farm! Now I have Dexters as well so.......

Stephanie :D

OK I digress

wagra dexters · Post by **wagra dexters** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:24 pm

"They're coming to take me away, ho,ho."

Showing our age!!

seacon dexters · Post by **seacon dexters** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 6:22 pm

Hi, thanks for the advise. I am bringing the cows in for a while, as our feild is extremely wet and grass is starting to lose it's value!!! They are getting a bale of hay + a bucket of feed morning and night along with 2 bull calves and 2 BB bullocks.