dexter

vodkalad

Can i keep a dexter cow an calf on 2 acres

Bullocks

vodkalad wrote: »

Can i keep a dexter cow an calf on 2 acres

You could but she might be a bit lonely , you would nearly keep 2 on that size garden with a bit of nuts and hay over the winter . Have you a shed on it ?

vodkalad

Bullocks wrote: »

You could but she might be a bit lonely , you would nearly keep 2 on that size garden with a bit of nuts and hay over the winter . Have you a shed on it ?

Hav a shed to winter them in.

vodkalad

vodkalad wrote: »

Hav a shed to winter them in.

Hav never kept cattle so any other info would help

Base price

Yes you should be able to keep a cow and calf. Most "peasant farmers" would have kept a Dexter/Kerry or Moiled cow in the past on an acre or two along with growing potatoes, cabbage etc.
You would be better off implementing a paddock system where you can rotate the cow and calf so that they have access to the best grass. You will probably need to buy in hay/silage for winter feed and supplement grass growth with either artificial fertilizer or spreading dung during the winter months.
I presume that you will be housing the cow and weanling (if weanling not sold) during the winter months. If not then I would say no, as both will cut your two acres to ribbons during our wet winter months.
Also a regular worming programme would also be a must.
I have been toying with the thought of breeding a heritage breed for the last few years but not got around to doing so. Dexter would be my first option and after that Beef Shorthorn (English breed)

Base price

vodkalad wrote: »

i hav a shed to winter them in an d 2 acres is in 5 sections hav never kept cattle any other info would help thanks

You need to apply to the Dept of Agriculture for a "herd number" - see link below points 2 and 3.
A DVO (District Veterinary Officer - employed by the Dept of Agri) will come and inspect your premises. You need to have a shed with gate/door to put a sick animal into, piped water either from mains supply or a well, and importantly a cattle crush that is adequate to hold the cow & calf for either their annual BTE test or if you need to get a vet or dose them yourself.
If you have no experience keeping cattle then I would recommend that you contact a friendly livestock farming neighbour. You could offer to help him/her foc and get a bit of experience or tell them that this is what you want to do and they may offer to guide you along the way.
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/animalwelfare/registrationofpremisesanimals/

Bullocks

vodkalad wrote: »

Hav never kept cattle so any other info would help

You will have to get a herd no. to keep cattle and for that you will need a shed to hold a sick animal and a cattle crush to hold them in for their yearly TB test , it wouldn't have to be anything fancy or expensive for 1 or 2 cows .
You will need the land fenced to keep them in aswell.
Do you have a neighbour or friend keeping cattle that might help out with a bit of advice?

vodkalad

Bullocks wrote: »

You will have to get a herd no. to keep cattle and for that you will need a shed to hold a sick animal and a cattle crush to hold them in for their yearly TB test , it wouldn't have to be anything fancy or expensive for 1 or 2 cows .
You will need the land fenced to keep them in aswell.
Do you have a neighbour or friend keeping cattle that might help out with a bit of advice?

ill get all that sorted as i keep few ewes an pigs any 1 that i know keep normal cattle but want info on keeping dexters

vodkalad

Are dexters hard to keep

Bullocks

vodkalad wrote: »

ill get all that sorted as i keep few ewes an pigs any 1 that i know keep normal cattle but want info on keeping dexters

I wouldn't know much about the Dexter breed I'm afriad except that they are small and hardy

Base price

vodkalad wrote: »

Are dexters hard to keep

I have no experience rearing/calving Dexters vis a vie rearing the more common commercial breeds. I personally would have no hesitation about keeping/rearing them except for the dwarfism gene.
I do remember reading an article about this genetical problem with Dexters - akin to dwarfism. I don't know if there is a test to highlight it.
Greysides maybe able to shine some light and explain the in's and out's in laymans terms.

_Brian

vodkalad wrote: »

Are dexters hard to keep

As cattle they aren't hard to keep, being hardy, easy calving and often capable of being out wintered. But they are still cattle and so there is a bit of work in having them.
The major draw back is there is essentially no commercial value or reason to keep them.

Chap not far from us had a small herd and got rid, "no outlet other than other saps looking to start a herd" is what I heard him say.

I suppose for a small holder looking to rear calves to be slaughtered by a local butcher they would be a good option. But I'd wager it would be expensive beef.

bogman_bass

Base price wrote: »

I have no experience rearing/calving Dexters vis a vie rearing the more common commercial breeds. I personally would have no hesitation about keeping/rearing them except for the dwarfism gene.
I do remember reading an article about this genetical problem with Dexters - akin to dwarfism. I don't know if there is a test to highlight it.
Greysides maybe able to shine some light and explain the in's and out's in laymans terms.

there are two strains of Dexter - short legged and long legged. If using AI check which type the bull is

kowtow

bogman_bass wrote:

there are two strains of Dexter - short legged and long legged. If using AI check which type the bull is

If you can find away to bring those strains together in one animal you're going to be an overnight YouTube sensation.

bogman_bass

kowtow wrote: »

If you can find away to bring those strains together in one animal you're going to be an overnight YouTube sensation.

Some very lob-sided cattle!

ganmo

bogman_bass wrote: »

Some very lob-sided cattle!

Good for grazing steep banks

bogman_bass

ganmo wrote: »

Good for grazing steep banks

What happens when they go and change direction?

tanko

bogman_bass wrote: »

What happens when they go and change direction?

They could reverse.

OP if you want a couple of easy kept animals would you consider Herefords or Angus. They can live on feck all along with fresh air and at least you'd have a saleable calf or two every year.

IH784man

tanko wrote: »

at least you'd have a saleable calf or two every year.

Yea at a rare breed sale a Dexter cow and bull calf only started bidding at 500 and didn't sell at 675,this is at a rare breed sale where nearly everything is twice the price

djmc

I am considering these dexter for rough open mountain grazing because they are hardy light and hopefully won't get stuck in bog.
I am leaning a bit more towards highland or belted Galloway though . I don't expect any to leave much money but they should keep land in good condition for bfp eligibility
Probably easier to keep in than mountain sheep and better grazers than ponies or donkey's

Sam Kade

Isn't there some hippy fella in west cork with dexters using that grain grown in a container for the winter feed. I like to see his profit monitor. They have Kerry cows in killarneys national park mostly for ornamental value though.

coolshannagh28

I keep a herd of Dexters and over the years they have been more profitable than my commercial herd if REPS and GLAS subsidies are taken into account ,there is demand for the beef and at present it fetches €5 per kilo bear in mind that 2 dexters will run on marginal land that would support one commercial. Try buying a few at the minute and you will be surprised at the prices being asked .

4512

Sam Kade wrote: »

Isn't there some hippy fella in west cork with dexters using that grain grown in a container for the winter feed. I like to see his profit monitor. They have Kerry cows in killarneys national park mostly for ornamental value though.

Seen him talking sh*te on ear to the ground a few years ago.
Some ponce with a PhD or something!