How many Dexters to the acre?

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 1:10 am

Our vet thinks it quaint that I call our Dexter cows by their names. We have 20 at the moment and I'm sure that a few of them know their names and react to them when they're called. Especially the ones that need a bit of extra individual feeding. I must admit though, that since we got the new head bail, drenching and eartaging of the calves has been so much easier. It's worth the extra cost, not getting so many bruises each time we have to tend to the calves. Especially as they get bigger.

The Whitfield Herd · Post by **The Whitfield Herd** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 12:41 pm

Profit is not a wording the farming language, not unless you've got substantially more that 2.5 acres (in which case you don't speak farming, you speak SUBSIDY).

A couple of cattle of whatever sex will cost money to keep, and probably lots of it. Vets bill (sorry Duncan) are a small fortune, but always necessary. If you do want to breed (even for meet) then you will have stud or AI fees to face. Hay, straw, wormer, licks, nuts, etc. all cost money too.

Don't forget that they will need daily attention; if only to look to see that they are still alive and haven't escaped. (I found the comment that you need better fences for sheep baffling, as a cow confronted with next door's field of longer/greener grass is going to be hard to keep in.) No chance of you going away for a few days and hoping that they'll be alright.

Sheep would certainly be a better option (I have Southdowns and Kent x - all sheep are stupid but the Southdowns are certainly easier for foot trimming etc), and a lawnmover a better option still, but if you really want cattle, ignore us and GET SOME!!! :p

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 4:56 pm

Our Shetland sheep are NOT STUPID, OK!! If they are not doing what you want, trust me, you haven't explained well enough or given them a good enough incentive. The same goes for the Dexters, alpacas, dogs and goats. In fact, and I now wait for the sky to fall in on me, I firmly believe that people who think animals are stupid are a sandwich short of a picnic themselves. And these views were held long before the film 'Babe' did the rounds. But then, I don't expect them to get involved with nucleur physics, become brain surgeons or even drive a tractor, so what, neither can I.

The Whitfield Herd · Post by **The Whitfield Herd** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 5:09 pm

OK, maybe not stupid. At college I was told that sheep have only to aims in life; first was to escape and the second to die. Luckily for me, the only escapee so far has been the ram (once), and none have died (except at birth). So either I'm lucky or all generalisations are worthless (both, I should think). :p

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 8:53 am

I feel so sorry for people trying to teach about animal behaviour, 30 years experience with assorted (mostly exotic) livestock has taught me that the most dangerous thing you can do is say that any animal will or won't do or not do something. The little b*****s will make fools of you every time.

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 5:04 pm

'Its not sheep that are stupid only people that keep them' is what I was told when I first ventured into sheep keeping.
They are like all other animals, give them a choice & they will always make the one that you did not want them to make. I learned the hard way, if you want sheep or cattle to go in a particular direction that is the only choice that you should give them. Give them an alternative & they will always take it. We just have to be a bit smarter than them, unfortunately that is not always the case.