Miniature Hereford cattle
Discussion
Hello all. Just a bit of back ground. I used to work on a farm and raise cattle for beef. Recently acquired some land and am.sorting out a small paddock to keep livestock on. I'd like cows but haven't enough land for nor.al breeds and have noticed you can get miniature breeds. Has anyone any experience of these?
Many thanks ben
Many thanks ben
We used to have Dexter's as kids and I always remember dad saying they had short man syndrome . They were always clearing off and difficult to handle. Perhaps we were just unlucky though...
Any other larger animal that's not too difficult to look after that springs to mind? If you look up chater valley farm, which isn't far from me they do the mini herefords.
Any other larger animal that's not too difficult to look after that springs to mind? If you look up chater valley farm, which isn't far from me they do the mini herefords.
I have dexters!
there are two sizes, short leg and long leg, the short leg ones are tiny and I believe you shouldn't breede short to short so always use a long legged bull. As mentioned above they have a reputation for being excapologists but we have never had an issue with that and ours are well handled and halter broken so are pretty manageable except when they have calved.
They live out all year round and are great for rough pasture plus make excellent eating, my long leg steer was 240kg on the hook this spring so thats over 500lbs of greass fed organic beef...what not to like!
there are two sizes, short leg and long leg, the short leg ones are tiny and I believe you shouldn't breede short to short so always use a long legged bull. As mentioned above they have a reputation for being excapologists but we have never had an issue with that and ours are well handled and halter broken so are pretty manageable except when they have calved.
They live out all year round and are great for rough pasture plus make excellent eating, my long leg steer was 240kg on the hook this spring so thats over 500lbs of greass fed organic beef...what not to like!
bnseven said:
I have dexters!
there are two sizes, short leg and long leg, the short leg ones are tiny and I believe you shouldn't breede short to short so always use a long legged bull. As mentioned above they have a reputation for being excapologists but we have never had an issue with that and ours are well handled and halter broken so are pretty manageable except when they have calved.
They live out all year round and are great for rough pasture plus make excellent eating, my long leg steer was 240kg on the hook this spring so thats over 500lbs of greass fed organic beef...what not to like!
That's correct on the breeding of short to short will result in the bulldog gene, but only if both carry the bulldog gene.there are two sizes, short leg and long leg, the short leg ones are tiny and I believe you shouldn't breede short to short so always use a long legged bull. As mentioned above they have a reputation for being excapologists but we have never had an issue with that and ours are well handled and halter broken so are pretty manageable except when they have calved.
They live out all year round and are great for rough pasture plus make excellent eating, my long leg steer was 240kg on the hook this spring so thats over 500lbs of greass fed organic beef...what not to like!
Dexter meat is fantastic.
Would say it more depends on how big the paddock will be. Sure you know but all good when dry but come the wet weather cows will destroy the ground and it wont come back well, currently in that situation from our horses and this wet winter just gone. In the process of building stables and a large concrete yard for the worst of the weather.
I should do my homework with Dexter's. I have always thought them to have poor temperament, having small children, this is very important that they are good natured.
Sheep, I could get some but they dont quite tick the same boxes.
In the winter, the bottom of the paddock does become waterlogged, theres a large lawn next to it and I plan to rotate between the two. I've got a load of wood chip so may harrow that in before putting grass seed on
Thank you for all your advice
Sheep, I could get some but they dont quite tick the same boxes.
In the winter, the bottom of the paddock does become waterlogged, theres a large lawn next to it and I plan to rotate between the two. I've got a load of wood chip so may harrow that in before putting grass seed on
Thank you for all your advice
It really doesn't sound like you will have enough space for cattle if I'm honest. We have 5 acres and wouldn't have enough room. They will trample the ground quickly and two small paddocks will quickly end up as a boggy mess. Sheep will be much easier on the ground but won't like waterlogged ground as they suffer a million and one foot problems! You'll need to consider somewhere to store feed for winter, hay/sileage etc
The farm I worked on had sheep and to be honest, they require a fair bit of maintenance. I also believe there sole purpose in life is to die...
Our main paddock is just over 1.5 acres and the rear lawn is about the same. Weve a big barn for them in winter and another the tractor lives in that would be used to keep bedding etc.
I agree I will be short on space, but far better than cattle being kept in crew yards there whole life. The shortage in space is what got me thinking about smaller /lighter cows.
Our main paddock is just over 1.5 acres and the rear lawn is about the same. Weve a big barn for them in winter and another the tractor lives in that would be used to keep bedding etc.
I agree I will be short on space, but far better than cattle being kept in crew yards there whole life. The shortage in space is what got me thinking about smaller /lighter cows.
Pigs dont take a great deal ok looking after we feed and check twice a day and only need vet out once in 2 years. They do totally plough the ground and in winter need to be on drier ground as it just turns to mush. You can time their arrival.and departure to avoid the worst of the weather, weaners in march, pork on the table by october/November. With regard to pigs and apple trees they will eat small trees before they get going and not much will stop them, with the windfalls the are ok in moderation. It is now also against DEFRA rules to feed scraps, a little line people love to trot out about how it must be great to feed them anything. Certainly wouldnt need 3 acres for a few pigs, start with couple of weaners and a fenced of area 10mx10m say with a pig arc of old shed and go from there. Breeds aren't massively important to start with, a basic breed with give nice pork if you feed them right etc, generally about £30 a life as weaners so no massively outlay bar some.fencing and a shelter. I'd recommend a shelter with a floor as easier for cleaning out and keeps the. Drier if it does get wet, and they don't smell like people think!
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