The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Cattle => Topic started by: bplegs on April 19, 2014, 02:41:44 pm
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Hallo all,
Hubbie has decided that we need some cattle.... so I am looked into it a wee bit and have come up with either Shetland or Dexter.
As far as I can figure out, both breeds seem to be quite hardy with the Shetland being very good at out-wintering. Both are slightly smaller cattle and reasonably good tempered. I must admit I am leaning more towards the Shetland but I am open to pros/cons/ discussion.
We have some Alpacas and Jacob sheep so not totally green at livestock, but I am not very experienced at choosing cattle so I would appreciate your views. Which breed would you recommend and why.
Thanks
Emma
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we chose shetlands as they were small, rare and Scottish. we are first time cattle owners and they have been very kind and very well behaved from day one. ours want a simple life so don't look for trouble. they get to know you too so it feels like a close relationship with them, ours always call when they see us.
we have another 6 mths or so to go before we get to taste them. :yum:
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Hallo Shygirl,
That's good to know. I must admit I have read good things on Shetlands so far.
Thanks for the reply :)
Emma
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We have had cattle for a year and chose Dexters (short-legged). My husband wanted to keep Belted Galloways as well as Dexters but the heifer we had bullied our other cattle and proved to be too much for our facilities. We were also new to cattle but to be honest they haven't been much harder to care for than the sheep, though I still struggle with intramuscular injections with the cattle and realised early on that I would need a crush and metal handling gates. My cattle struggled outside at times last Winter (even in Surrey) and there were mornings when my cow was shivering which was horrible to see. We now have a field shelter and it will be interesting to see how much time they spend inside when the weather is really bad.
Helen
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All cattle, however hardy, need to be able to shelter from rain. Trees are perfectly acceptable.
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Hallo Helen and Sally,
Thank you!
We have trees but would put a shelter up too.
Best regards
Emma
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I have both .... 2 of each ..... all out wintered in all that rain!! (we do have trees for shelter but they rarely stood under one!) Love them both for different reasons. The Dexters are lighter and poach much less.
Where are you? ... find some local rearers and visit.
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The other thing that's important when the weather's wet and cold (and/or your cow is shivering ;) ) is hay (or other winter forage.) Eating and digesting it warms them up. I fed our native ponies hay at bedtime most of this last winter for exactly that reason - it was horrid wet, the grass had no nutrition, and even though they are weatherproof and can live on air (nearly) (and had plenty of shelter), any animal needs a helping hand in those conditions.
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Totally agree SiN .... mine ate a bale a day + of hay or barley straw all through wet winter.
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Thank you both!
We harvest our own hay so hopefully that will help. ;D
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Where are you bplegs? If you're anywhere near us, you're welcome to come and commune with our Shetlands. :hugcow:
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Hi there,
We went through the same process as you when deciding what breed to go for - we eventually chose dexters although it was close with the Shetlands but the deciding factor for us was not only the small size and ease of handling but most dexters dont have horns ( they can have though ).
They arrived 3 weeks ago and we love them to bits ( sorry Rosemary !! )
You will need some form of cattle handling facilities but we were able to pick up an old cattle crush from the lady that sold us the cattle which just needs a new floor in and it will be ready for use.
If you're anywhere near us and want to have a look at ours, just pm me and we can arrange something.
I hope this helps.
Regards
Mark
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Where are you bplegs? If you're anywhere near us, you're welcome to come and commune with our Shetlands. :hugcow:
Hallo Rosemary,
We are on the Isle of Wight!
Thank you for the offer though :D
Happy Easter!
Emma
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Hallo Mark,
Thank you for the offer, but we are on the Isle of Wight.
We actually do have a friend here with Dexters who is going to use ouir land for a bit, so that will help.
Happy Easter
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how far south is the nearest herd of shetlands i wonder?
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Highland cows would be a good choice, they're tough and hardy. Where I come from Everyone keeps welsh blacks, however I do not think welsh blacks would be the breed to go for.
All the best of luck