The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Cattle => Topic started by: mab on February 14, 2011, 12:15:05 pm
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Hi, could anyone tell me how much land would I need for a Dexter cow? I've read somewhere that cows can be stocked at 2 per acre of pasture but my acre doesn't seem like much - and she would be sharing with 2 shetland sheep (and 4 ex batt hens).
Thanks
mab
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Hiya,
Don't want to disillusion you - but I don't think you've got enough ground :-\
I was always told 1 cow per acre, and really 1 on her own would be lonely :'( I know Dexters are smaller, but still need grass, you've got a couple of sheep as well, so might hit problems down the line.
Unless you can get your hands on some more land I wouldn't advise it - but others might disagree. Why not split your land and get some :pig: :pig: :pig: or geese or expand on your sheep flock ?
Sorry !
HTH
Karen
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hi
i've been told i per acre also...so agree with HH
Mx
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Hi There
The amount of land you need really depends on how you plan to look after your cow over the winter months and what shelter you have.
1 acre per cow is a low estimate and relies on the cow being off the grass in winter and fed bought in hay or silage. If you plan to feed your cow mostly
on grass then the average cow needs at least 3 acres ( this would be a bit less for a dexter). Your type of land will also have a lot to do with it, if its heavy clay then
a cow can poach it very quickley in wet weather. Also I agree with above that keeping one cow on its own isnt really best practice so you would really need
enough grazing for cow and calf.
Hope this helps
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Thanks for the replies,
Two cows per acre did seem like a lot to me, but thought I'd check. There's a Dexter cow out this way looking for a new home (apparently been living with pigs); and I'd like a cow, but I'm not sure I want to feed one entirely on bought in feed through the winter.
Oh well; just have to look for something a bit smaller... (or find some more land... ;) )
mab