The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Cattle => Topic started by: Four Acres Andy on September 17, 2017, 01:44:39 pm
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HI everyone, :wave:
We are getting busy sorting out the field for our Dexter's :cow: arriving and we are looking into buying a mobile field shelter for them. We will have 3 Dexter's so what sort of size should we be looking for?
many thanks
Andy
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If you look at the Soil Association guidelines, they'll give you some idea of size.
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I am assuming also that you will be breeding from them so may need one that will house more than 3?
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Horns make quite a difference ... so are they horned?
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Hi thanks for the reply's,
We will end up with 5 in total, and they haven't any horns.
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Is there no trees or hedges? Dexter's don't really need a field shelter if there is natural shelter from weather. Mine are out all year ... no buildings.
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One side of our field has good tree coverage and the rest is hedge row.
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Field shelter is therefore not a necessity.
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I agree that it might not be a strict necessity but is nice to have. I had a slightly older cow who would be shivering after a cold and wet night, despite having hedgerows and trees and being in Surrey. I have also found it useful to pen in a new Mum for 24 hours or so until I have been sure that everything is ok. I have a mobile one, probably 20 feet long and 12 deep with an awning. It has gates on the front and can be sub-divided. This year I only have 2 cows but last Winter had 5.
Helen