So it seems we'll be getting a cow/calf pair in the next few months. DH is going to do some work for someone and they're going to pay him in cattle. DH raised a calf for 4H when he was a kid. I lived on a farm with a few cattle when I was a kid. That's the only experience we have.
So... What do I need to know? Heck, I don't even know where to start.
We can have our choice of several pairs, varying breeds but I believe they're pretty much meat breeds. Are any of the meat breeds (I keep spelling that bread ) good for milking? I'd really like to have one to keep for milking but, if that's out of the question, I'm sure she'll fill our freezer nicely. If it is possible to milk here, is there a certain age we should look for? Or maybe since they've probably not been milked before, we shouldn't even try? Anyone ever butcher a whole cow at home or does everyone take them in to a butcher? I know it would be a pain in the butt with an animal that large but they did it in the old days, right? Butchering is best about 2 years of age, right? I've some say 1 year, though. What about feed? We have several large rolls of hay--any particular kind needed? About how much will they eat? What do we need to supplement the hay with? We have a pond already--is that okay for their drinking water or do we need to provide fresh water frequently? Most folks around here just use their ponds but thought I'd ask. What about shelter? Just some trees should be enough, right?
I'm going to google my heart out but if any of you are bored enough to provide me with a Cows For Dummies cheat sheet, I'll love ya forever.
So... What do I need to know? Heck, I don't even know where to start.
We can have our choice of several pairs, varying breeds but I believe they're pretty much meat breeds. Are any of the meat breeds (I keep spelling that bread ) good for milking? I'd really like to have one to keep for milking but, if that's out of the question, I'm sure she'll fill our freezer nicely. If it is possible to milk here, is there a certain age we should look for? Or maybe since they've probably not been milked before, we shouldn't even try? Anyone ever butcher a whole cow at home or does everyone take them in to a butcher? I know it would be a pain in the butt with an animal that large but they did it in the old days, right? Butchering is best about 2 years of age, right? I've some say 1 year, though. What about feed? We have several large rolls of hay--any particular kind needed? About how much will they eat? What do we need to supplement the hay with? We have a pond already--is that okay for their drinking water or do we need to provide fresh water frequently? Most folks around here just use their ponds but thought I'd ask. What about shelter? Just some trees should be enough, right?
I'm going to google my heart out but if any of you are bored enough to provide me with a Cows For Dummies cheat sheet, I'll love ya forever.