cow's feet

[bookwormom]

miracles do happen and after searching far and wide, we found five dexter cattle within a fifteen minute drive. The old lady wanted to sell and we took them, including the bull. three are pregnant, one is a six month old little heifer.
Now about their feet, they look to me like the need trimming badly. I have not gotten chummy enough with them to put a bell on, but sooner or later, their hoofs need trimming. Does anybody know anything about how to go about it, what kind of tools are required and so on? I have seen it done in Germany where a professional came to the dairy farm next door and trimmed the hoofs periodically. Sure wish I had payed close attention, though that guy had some electric gizmo. I sure dread it.

[AlchemyAcres]

Tools and techniques depend on how much trimming needs to be done.
Most of the pros you rotary trimmers, but it can certainly be done with hand tools.
I'd also be asking why it needs to be done in the first place......typically hooves don't need to be trimmed on healthy animals, without genetic faults...if they get a reasonable amount of exercise.
Do you have experience handling cattle?
If trimming isn't done correctly it can lead to permanent foot and leg problems.

Your best bet is to hire a professional.

~Martin

[WileyCoyote]

How can you tell?
Not trying to be a wiseacre, really I want to know... what would they look like to make you think that they need trimming? are they splitting, or what?

[Deberosa]

The woman I got my Dexter's from have never had to trim their hooves and she's had them many years. I am hoping that is the case with mine. I am keeping them high and dry in this wet winter in hopes their hooves stay healthy.

[Deberosa]

miracles do happen and after searching far and wide, we found five dexter cattle within a fifteen minute drive. The old lady wanted to sell and we took them, including the bull. three are pregnant, one is a six month old little heifer.
Now about their feet, they look to me like the need trimming badly. I have not gotten chummy enough with them to put a bell on, but sooner or later, their hoofs need trimming. *Does anybody know anything about how to go about it, what kind of tools are required and so on? *I have seen it done in Germany where a professional came to the dairy farm next door and trimmed the hoofs periodically. Sure wish I had payed close attention, though that guy had some electric gizmo. *I sure dread it.

And congratulations on the Dexters, mine are doing great - very healthy and lively cows. Daisy sure likes her wet cob treats!

[gardenfay]

Do cow's hooves grow excessively sometimes after they have foundered, like horses?

[AlchemyAcres]

Yes, but when cattle founder you're doing something SERIOUSLY wrong!

~Martin

[bookwormom]

excuse my ignorance here, but what does "founder" mean?
the older of my little cows has kind of long hoofs, it looks like they need to be trimmed. They remind me of those pointy long shoes that were in style a couple of years ago.

[Deberosa]

My Dexter has sort of long feet but I think it's a natural trait. I'll try to get a picture to post - she'll probably wonder why I want to take a picture of her feet. ;-)

[gardenfay]

yes, Martin, cows don't founder near as easy as horses; but it wouldn't be anything she did wrong, since she just bought them. It would be from the past. I should have made that clear. second, what is founder - alot of things can cause it in horses; in cows way too much feed usually feed of a "rich" or "hot" nature. Anyway, causes bloat, initially and later, in horses anyway one result can be excessive hoof growth. but we don't know your cows have that so... first Deberosa, may be exactly right. it may be a natural trait for Dexters. next, my husband had a very good idea. He said if they have stood in a barn, especially a wet, dirty barn for awhile it can cause hoof problems including them being long due to not having enough exercise for natural wear to occur. And since you said it is on the older one; that makes sense too. If it were me, I would like to watch the animal walk; if she isn't having problems; then all i would probably do is keep an eye on it and keep in mind that if I have her in a place where she cant wear them off normally, it might worsen. If I was very worried, i would want to see a photo of another Dexter like Deberosa offered or i might call my vet and he can tell you if you have something to worry about or not. This is probably just something minor. Sure didn't mean to cause worry; but I agree with Martin's first observation and that is that typically normal animals don't need hooves trimmed. Id almost be willing to bet that those dairy cows in Germany weren't able to walk and wear off their hooves like normal or it is somehow related to super-rich, abundant food to produce lots of milk. Anyway, those are my thoughts and as my brother says, if i got paid by the word, Id have it made!

[AlchemyAcres]

yes, Martin, cows don't founder near as easy as horses; but it wouldn't be anything she did wrong, since she just bought them. It would be from the past.

Obviously!
:)


I was just speaking in general terms.


~Martin ;)

[Deberosa]

Well, I did take a close look at Daisy's hooves today but didn't get the camera. She does have long pointed hooves that curve in at the end. These are normal. As far as foundering or other illnesses, Dexters are extremely hardy animals - nothing like a dairy cow. The woman who sold us ours has become a friend and visits occasionally - she says she's never had a problem with feed or hooves or anything. SHe patiently answers all of my worried questions. ;-) It will take me a while to figure out what is normal for a cow and specifically what is normal for a Dexter cow.

BWM - do your Dexter's jump around? Mine do that alot - especially TBone - she will gallop around her pasture just for fun - Daisy will do the same thing. Not your typical plodding cows. ;-)

[gardenfay]

Sorry, Martin - wasn't worded very well; probably. Well bookwormom, hope they are all great and glad you found them.

[bookwormom]

we only have one pasture fenced so far. most of the time they wander where they want to. we do have a peripheral three strand barbwire around our place, then we fenced in the house, yard, orchard, gardens. from the south corner of that we ran two hot wires west to the peripheral fence to form one pasture. I have never seen them frolicking. Grumpy is probably uncomfortable due to late pregnancy. Blacky does not look like she can make it to April, I suspect the bull got to her a lot sooner than the old lady thinks he did, she lumbers too. Brownie is swift on her feet, she is due in April, and the 6 month old calf runs away when you get too close to it. The bull is sort of serious and cautious. His name is Fernando.
I am looking (without luck so far) for collars to put around their neck so we can put them on a leash of some sort and lead them.
wet cob, what is that Debbie? cob to me is clay and wet clay is dirty. We give ours about two cups of sweet feet a day to bribe them. I have a curry brush , they are mighty dirty, but so far they will not stand still. when I got them, their hindquarters were smeared full with cow poop.
thanks all for your input.
I would love to post some pictures,but they are in Kodak Easy share, which is a misnomer as it is about impossible to share anything. I can send an e mail and that is about it.

[Deberosa]

we only have one pasture fenced so far. most of the time they *wander where they want to. we do have a peripheral three strand barbwire around our place, then we fenced in the house, yard, orchard, gardens. *from the south corner of that we ran two hot wires west to the peripheral fence to form one pasture. *I have never seen them frolicking. Grumpy is probably uncomfortable due to late pregnancy. Blacky does not look like she can make it to April, I suspect the bull got to her a lot sooner than the old lady thinks he did, she lumbers too. Brownie is swift on her feet, she is due in April, and the 6 month old calf runs away when you get too close to it. The bull is sort of serious and cautious. His name is Fernando.
I am looking (without luck so far) for collars to put around their neck so we can put them on a leash of some sort and lead them. *
wet cob, what is that Debbie? cob to me is clay and wet clay is dirty. *We give ours about two cups of sweet feet a day to bribe them. *I have a curry brush , they are mighty dirty, but so far they will not stand still. when I got them, their hindquarters were smeared full with cow poop.
thanks all for your input.
I would love to post some pictures,but they are in Kodak Easy share, which is a misnomer as it is about impossible to share anything. I can send an e mail and that is about it.


COB is corn, oats and barley - rolled with a coating of molasses. I can get Daisy to go anywhere by shaking a bucket with a cup or two of that treat in it. Her calf is a bit more skittish. I got halters for them on e-bay. The Yearling halter fits Daisy and the calf halter is still a bit to big for T-Bone so I just got a big dog collar. We haven't gotten it on her yet. THe bull may take a regular cow halter. There is a source on the one Dexter sites for Dexter specific halters. I e-mailed them but never got a response and didn't bother to follow up.

Sounds like you have alot of work ahead with yours but should have a good heard once they are straightened around. People comment on how healthy mine look and they are gool looking animals with shiny coats. No mud and muck so far.

Do yours have horns? I am thinking of getting the horns removed from Daisy, they are a pain to deal with, especially because her dad had a habit of hooking horns into the fence and pulling it right out of the ground! If she didn't have horns fencing would be alot simpler. They don't tend to challenge fences though.

WHen Daisy has her nose in the bucket of cob I can pet her, brush her, and get a rope on her no problem, once you tied them it might be easier to get them brushed. Hopefully calving will go well. Daisy had twins her first time around - did just fine.

[GREEN_ALIEN]

Hoof grow out usually occurs on cattle that are penned to tightly, in wet or spongy conditions and are being fed way to much friggin protien. The easiest way to trim is get a pair of bull nose hoof trimmers, run the critter in a chute and loop the offending leg to the frame. A couple of nips and you are done. If it is real bad case trim a bit each week or so until you get it looking good.

General cattle feeding. A proper diet is the best way to solve grow out problems. In general a cow needs about 30 lbs of food a day for best overall performance. Of that only 10 lbs in gestating cattle and 12 lbs in lactating cattle needs to be quality protien such as good alfalfa or 30PX or similar. The balance needs to be roughage with a low protien value. The roughage is especially important in the winter when it is cold as it provides that internal heat a cow needs. The best roughage feed you can buy is something like bluegrass or good wheat straw. (Note if feeding something like 30PX feed rations can be cut to 6 and 8 lbs due to the high concentrated protien levels.) Something else to keep in mind is that feed that is ground fed has a loss of 10%. Always feed in a faily high walled feeder. With the price of hay do you really want to have to use 10% more than you need? I use a modified version of the above but am in an extreme environment. I feed 50% ration alfalfa, 50% ration of 30PX and free choice clean wheat straw. In addition I keep out a low protien mineral tub that is molasses based and a salt block with selenium. The reason the extra mile is that I fall calve registered angus seed stock. All my ladies are gestating and lactating this time of year and it is a whopping 12 degrees outside. It works out to be 12 lbs protien and 18 pounds of roughage per head per day. With feed prices this year I am already ready for summer so I don't have to feed.

OK Deb, if you are trying to play cowboy get it right... lol
Molasses has nothing to do with what COB is. COB is as you stated Corn, Oats, Barley. Molasses is an additive that some use, some don't. With the price of grain right now it just aint worth the extra buck...

Ted

[Deberosa]

Hoof grow out usually occurs on cattle that are penned to tightly, in wet or spongy conditions and are being fed way to much friggin protien. The easiest way to trim is get a pair of bull nose hoof trimmers, run the critter in a chute and loop the offending leg to the frame. A couple of nips and you are done. If it is real bad case trim a bit each week or so until you get it looking good.

General cattle feeding. A proper diet is the best way to solve grow out problems. In general a cow needs about 30 lbs of food a day for best overall performance. Of that only 10 lbs in gestating cattle and 12 lbs in lactating cattle needs to be quality protien such as good alfalfa or 30PX or similar. The balance needs to be roughage with a low protien value. The roughage is especially important in the winter when it is cold as it provides that internal heat a cow needs. The best roughage feed you can buy is something like bluegrass or good wheat straw. (Note if feeding something like 30PX feed rations can be cut to 6 and 8 lbs due to the high concentrated protien levels.) Something else to keep in mind is that feed that is ground fed has a loss of 10%. Always feed in a faily high walled feeder. With the price of hay do you really want to have to use 10% more than you need? I use a modified version of the above but am in an extreme environment. I feed 50% ration alfalfa, 50% ration of 30PX and free choice clean wheat straw. In addition I keep out a low protien mineral tub that is molasses based and a salt block with selenium. The reason the extra mile is that I fall calve registered angus seed stock. All my ladies are gestating and lactating this time of year and it is a whopping 12 degrees outside. It works out to be 12 lbs protien and 18 pounds of roughage per head per day. With feed prices this year I am already ready for summer so I don't have to feed.

OK Deb, if you are trying to play cowboy get it right... lol
Molasses has nothing to do with what COB is. COB is as you stated Corn, Oats, Barley. Molasses is an additive that some use, some don't. With the price of grain right now it just aint worth the extra buck...

Ted

Dexters are a bit different than your typical cows. You have to keep that in mind too. Mine get about a cup or so as a treat every day - they know the rattle in the bucket so when I want them to go somewhere it's not a problem to get them to move! I am certainly no cowboy!

[GREEN_ALIEN]

Dexters are a bit different than your typical cows.

LOL Where do you get this crap? I gotta read that book.

Dexters are two things, one, bovines and two, ruminants. That just so happens to be what all cows are...

Ted

[Deberosa]

Anyhow, Bookwormom, here is a picture of Daisy's feet. And then one of the rest of her. ;-)

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b340/deberosa/005.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b340/deberosa/006.jpg

[AlchemyAcres]

Her feet look fine in that pic.
Maybe a bit long, but no reason to be hacking away and causing everyone involved lotsa stress!!!!

~Martin ;)

[AlchemyAcres]

BTW,
I've been around cattle all my life...I've never 'met' any 2 that were exactly alike!
A lot like people in that regard!!

~Martin :)

[GREEN_ALIEN]

Have to agree with Martian, there ain't nutin wrong with those feet based on the pictures.

Ted

[Deberosa]

Thanks Ted and Martin. They are a bit muddy but everything is muddy now. ;-)

[gardenfay]

Ted and Martin:
Now, you guys realize that the cow pictured is not the cow in question, right? Bookwormom couldn't put on photos of the cow she was asking about in this thread, right?
LLLOOOOLLLLL
Nice cow, Deberosa - yea, her hooves look good to me too.

[AlchemyAcres]

Uh...I've read and understand the entire thread!!!

I'm not a retard!!!!

WTF?

~Martin

[gardenfay]

Actually, I think both of you guys sound very knowledgeable on this subject and several others


So, no, never thought either of you were retards; but since you do strike me as intelligent; just re-read that last bit of the thread. Sure sounds to this ole' country gal like two intelligent guys gallantly complementing the wrong bovine feet. Sorry if my slightly warped sense of humor offended anyone; but I will say, in light of your responses on a couple of posts now that you might relax a little. You don't come off as unintelligent in these posts.

[AlchemyAcres]

Sorry, I wasn't in the best of moods last night.

~Martin

[gardenfay]

No problem.

[bookwormom]

what does WTF stand for? and my cows' hoofs are longer. I wish I could post pictures.

[AlchemyAcres]

Where's the fire?
LOL



~Martin ;)