Zebu's

[Deberosa]

We've passed by a local farm here that raises Zebu's. I know nothing about them - anybody know anything?

[BrendaSue]

Deb I am in the learning process of Zebu's, I bought a bull 7 mo old and a cow that was 3mo...if I had of known what I know now, I would of bought an older cow and younger bull.....there is a website, lots of great info, I will have to check my email and post it for ya...

I bought mine to breed and sell, they actually go for a good chunk of change. Also, my SO bought me some mini donkeys, wish he had of bought me two more cows lol..never happy...if I can answer any question, my understanding they are pretty adaptable to any weather but love the heat, I do know the bull's are not suppose to be over 46" to the hump, mine is at 44" right now he is about 14 mo now., the bigger the hump the better....but again I will get you that website, its got alot of people from all over the country. I also know I over feed mine lol...I do not have lots of land, hoping some day soon to be able to buy more land to support more zebu's.

[Deberosa]

How much is a zebu worth? They have huge horns, how are they to manage? What kind of fencing do you need? Do they do fine on hay or do they need grain also? Do they make noise?

I like that they are smaller. Are they good for milking or meat or both?

Around here they also raise Yaks for meat and there is a restaurant down the road that serves Yak. It's pretty good but those are some big beasts! And really hairy and stinky in this weather!

[BrendaSue]

How much is a zebu worth? *They have huge horns, how are they to manage? *What kind of fencing do you need? *Do they do fine on hay or do they need grain also? *Do they make noise? *

I like that they are smaller. *Are they good for milking or meat or both? *

Around here they also raise Yaks for meat and there is a restaurant down the road that serves Yak. *It's pretty good but those are some big beasts! *And really hairy and stinky in this weather!



A zebu cow goes for around 1500 and up depends on if registered, her heritage line, her height, her parents heights, its more about exotic show in my opinion and that is why I bought mine. a bull starts usually at 1000 although I have seen some for less....they usually steer any that looks as if their height will be to tall, behind the hump should only be 42" at full grown witch is three years, but a hump is a big deal lol big humps are good, so he has to be pretty small to keep his hump under the 46 or 47". As far as milking I do not know this one, the meat, they do eat zebu and I believe they are starting to market it but its in the beginning, there is a showing they did in Florida that served zebu, mixed responses, I did not go so cant really say. A cows horns are usually pointy and straight forward or out to the sides a little bit, and the bulls are all different, I have seen some show bulls that the horns grow around their ears like a ram. But, also these are smaller animals so their horns are not of course as large as a full grown bull's. My Robbie's horns are just beginning and he is a little over a year, but the base is probably 3 inches in diam. My cow who is almost a year hers is very pointy and tiny. I am going to have mine de horned.

My bull is like a baby, or a large dog, but am hearing stories where they get aggresive after full grown, it sounds like mostly, people that push theirs playing, the bull is so large and doesnt realize it, but dunno. My cow on the other hand is shy and timid, although we can pet her scratch and halter her she prefers to be left alone. We had recently a full grown bull and a cow wander to our fence, and my zebu's really believe they are as big as these cows.. I believe a bull can reach up to 500 to 600 lbs but the cows are more 300 to 400.

I feed mine grain all year round, but we really in my opinion do not have the grass to support them grazing alone. There is lots that just let them graze. But, I am also this great big huge animal lover lol....so I seem to spoil all my animals.

Our fencing because we have a variety of animals is more like hog fence with smaller holes, but I understand some use barb wire, although I have saw my robbie get on his knees to get into somewhere he wasn't suppose to, or he actually jumped his front legs upon a small goat shed to get some food off of it.

They do have mini herefords, which is what my SO wants to get into. I have done a little research on them, and they are pretty much the same as a full size herford, as far milking.

I hope this helps

[Deberosa]

Thanks for the info - they sure are interesting animals!

We settled on Dexters here and so far I'm happy. Wondered at one point about the miniature donkeys but would use them to keep coyotes away mainly. I think the perimeter fence will do for that now.

My Daisy has horns, they are pretty - curve out and up perfectly but they are a pain for sure. Plus she can hook them on the fence and pull it up so have to put in a strand of electric. SHe's only attempted it once when we fed her an hour late - she was going to come remind us. ;-) But she can pull up the whole fence if she gets her horns under it. Right now the electric is turned off - the strand itself seems to be sufficient as long as the dinner schedule is met!

[BrendaSue]

Yeah, what I am afraid of lol sofar no horns and not late on feeding lol....