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Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 1:20 pm
by helen salmon
Hi, I am very much new to all this. We got our first dexters a couple of months ago (20 years after first toying with the idea, I finally got there!) we have two heifers and a 6 weeks old calf. Could anyone tell me how much hard food I should be giving them, and what sort is the best for dexters? Thwy still have quite a lot of grass in the field.
Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 1:54 pm
by Martin
Hi Helen,
my cows do not normally have hard food, when grass is short I feed hay to apetite. I only give hard food if I think they may lose condition or I wish to increase their condition. My herd is now housed for winter and on average will consume about half a bale of hay each per day and they are largeish non shorts. If I feel the need to supliment their diet, I normally feed either beef nuts or dairy nuts, I use an old coffee mug as a measure, one or two mugs twice a day depending on what I am trying to achieve. Remember, for their own good they should be slightly below perfect condition rather than fat, and introduce changes slowly and give each change time to work before increasing the amount given. If they have thick winter coats then feel each animal, and remember how much cover there is on the bones, you can then check their progress.
Martin. Medway Valley Dexters.
Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 2:35 pm
by Broomcroft
Hi Helen
As it happens, there was another topic with the same subject just a bit ago. If you have a look at that one it's got lots of comments in it. One of the best ways is to try and find someone experienced with Dexters near to you and go and have a chat.
Where abouts are you? You might get some offers on here.
Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 2:43 pm
by helen salmon
We are in North Lincolnshire.
I didn't see the other thread till after I had posted.
Ours are living out and seemed to be doing perfectly well with just some extra hay. I started giving them a little hard food to train them to come into the field shelter for when we need to catch them. It was the speed they came running down from the top of the field that made me wonder if they are really hungry.
Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 4:20 pm
by Martin
Don't worry about the speed they come when called Helen, it's like kids and sweets or long lost relatives at the reading of a rich mans will!
Martin.
Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 10:07 pm
by ann
even more so if your rich aunt has just left her fortune to friends at the local resturant
VBG:) 
Ann