Miniture Jerseys

[homesteadingnky]

Does anyone here own miniture Jerseys? Considering them for a family dairy cow.

[Deberosa]

I went with the Dexter instead for several reasons. First the Jerseys are bred down to be small instead of naturally small which can bring on some issues. If you breed her you will have to be very careful to select a small bull or she will have problems calving.

Dexters don't give quite as much milk but they are much more flexible as far as feeding on brush and such and easy calving plus we didn't need gallons of milk a day. Those are some reasons we went with them instead of the Jerseys or other miniature breeds. Even a full grown Jersey can have trouble calving if the bull is too large as I found out on another site where a woman needs to decide to get rid of her Jersey after a cesarian because the calf was too big for her.

[FirestarterKY]

I found regular Jerseys yesterday and am planning to buy a young calf.
I have milk questions....
In your opinions can you tell me your preference of raw milk vs pasturized?
And, anything else you want to tell me about having a dairy cow. I'm new to this, though very excited!

Thanks!
Karen

[FirestarterKY]

After doing a bit of reading in here I have almost decided to get a Dexter instead...because I want to breed her once a year for beef and I want to go about it simply, taking her to the bull across the road. I'm thinking, if I had jersey, I'd have to breed her with a Jersey?
Not only that, but, I think Dexters might be a little less expensive?

Karen

[homesteadingnky]

Hi all. *I was considering Dexters before I saw the miniture Jerseys. *So....you say that the Dexter calves easier, forages better, and may be less expensive, but doesn't give quite as much milk. *Definately something worth checking into! *;D *

Many thanks for the suggestions. *Would welcome any other advice you may have on that subject such as, how much does a Dexter cost, how much milk do they give, and where would I find one. *Thanks again Deberosa.

Firestarter, I'm like you, in that, I'm going to do more research on this topic before I buy. *Sounds like I might have to rethink my position on Jerseys. *I do know that the full sized ones can often have trouble calving. *I remember that from years ago but I had forgot.

As for milk, I personally love it raw. *Just make sure that you wash the cows teats and udder really good and keep the milk clean and you'll be ok. *I'd recommend, as with anything, that you do lots of research and continue to ask those who milk for info. *I grew up on a dairy farm but we used a high tech milking machine and cooler system. *We only milked by hand occasionally and then just for fun. *

It's been over 20 years since I milked a cow but until recently I bought my "raw" milk from the Mennonites who live near us. *They just got a little too unclean for me. *So I guess I'll have to wait until I can get me a Miniture Jersey.... or.... a Dexter. *;) *We'll just have to see. *

One other thing about raw milk, if your cow has been eating wild onions....you'll know it! ;) ;D

Have a great day!
Homesteading Dad

[AlchemyAcres]

I'm thinking, if I had jersey, I'd have to breed her with a Jersey?
Not only that, but, I think Dexters might be a little less expensive?

You could breed the jersey to an Angus...they're easy calving.

What's the bull across the road?

What would you breed the Dexter to?

I do know that the full sized ones can often have trouble calving.

In what way?
Other than being more susceptible to milk fever, they generally have far fewer calving problems than other dairy breeds.

~Martin :)

[homesteadingnky]

Jerseys are a small breed in general. Part of the reason I remember them having problems may be the bulls we had. :-/ To be honest I can't remember what kind of bulls we had at the time. We had several different ones (beef and dairy) back then. I do remember some of the Jerseys having problems calving though! Speaking only from experience! I certainly don't claim to be an expert at anything!! :) Wish I was though. I would be pretty cool to actually know what I was taking about huh ??? ;D By the way, we had mostly Holsteins. Never had any problems with them calving and we milked 60-80 on average. Again, that's just my experience! ;D

Homesteading Dad

[Deberosa]

I got a real deal on my Dexters. I got a 2 and a half year old cow with her Free Martin Heifer Calf for $1000. The calf is likely sterile but now I am not so sure since she is going into heat... And the cow was supposedly "open" but I am more convinced each day that she is actually bred and due to calve in a month or two!

A registered Dexter cow could cost around $1200 to $1500 but with the current market I am not so sure. The guy that bought the bull twin to my heifer and Daisy's sister is selling them now - not sure why but he is asking $800 for the Cow and $600 for the bull calf that's now 9 months old. Both are registered Dexters.

What you could do is get a Jersey or a Holstein and breed them to a Dexter bull, especially if you have one next door, and see what you get???? Breeding to a smaller bull should be fine as long as the bull can reach. ;D

Dexters can live 30 years and breed well into their mid 20's. Like I said I like that they can browse as well as graze and they sure seem to be care free. They are not trying to get out of the fence, and generally are very friendly and curious. Haven't milked her yet - will this next time around so not sure how much milk they will give but that was not a big consideration in my decision - it may be different for you. They certainly won't give as much as a Jersey.

If you have a Dexter bull next door you are lucky!!! I will have to cart mine somewhere - and may do that instead of AI, not sure since Daisy seems to be pregnant now.

[FirestarterKY]

Hey y'all, thanks for the converstaion.

I had to laugh about a smaller bull "if they can reach"....my horses are draft and I have the same issue, heck just find a hill and let the female stand down hill! LOL!
Too funny!
Nah, all we have around here is just the black and white cows, dont know what kind.
But I have some across the road and a friend just two miles away has a bull too, but his bull is BIG! Took one of my barn walls down once, and that's wood you can't drive a nail in! LOL! His women got taken, he was UPSET!
Anyway...I just want to go the easiet way possible, I mean, all this work on the homestead, last thing I want is trouble calving. Know what I mean?
If I knew I would be okay breeding with the bull across the road I'd get a Jersey.
By the way, I just moved out of the city I was born and raised in about 12 yrs ago, and so I dont know just a great deal about what cows are what.....I can ask my neighbor what kind of cows/bull he has and let ya know.
I use to use the raw milk I bought from the amish and liked it a lot! But, she's always sold out when I get there these days.

Ya, homesteading dad, my horses breath is terrible in early spring from the onions they eat.
I gathered a bunch of wild onions tops a week ago, cut them up in chives and dried them, now wont have to buy chives in the store!
I just love it when I can get one more step away from the stores, even if they're little ones at a time.


Y'all have a good one!
Thanks for the advice!

Karen

[FirestarterKY]

Oh, sorry....I'd also breed the Dexter to the bull across the road. The only reason I'll breed her is for continued milk production and beef.

There's always something new to learn homesteading isn't there?

Take care!!

[Deberosa]

You can get just about any bull you want with artificial insemination. I know some sources for inexpensive Dexter semem that I will likely use if I can't find a local bull.

Here is some info on a Jersey/Dexter cross they have a special name for that!

http://minijerseysbydexter.homestead.com/Belmontcattle.html

[FirestarterKY]

I looked into that web page, interesting, indeed! Thanks!
But, if SHTF, I'd have to breed to my neighbors and that's what I'm kinda doing anyway, just living as if S-is-GTHTF tomorrow.
Don't want to be caught with my pants down.
lol.