tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post5574045686441386765..comments2023-09-29T18:37:14.377+10:00Comments on Eight Acres: The perfect house cowUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-2716261394407288922012-07-26T09:05:02.221+10:002012-07-26T09:05:02.221+10:00thanks everyone!
We actually went to a Dexter sh...thanks everyone! <br /><br />We actually went to a Dexter show the other weekend (post to come) and none of the breeders we talked to had tried milking them! I know that they are a popular milking breed though, so just make sure when you buy one that she is bred for milking ability. <br /><br />As for goats, our neighbours keep them for milk. Although you get less milk from each animal, you feed them less. It would be easier to stagger your milking by keeping 2-3 goats and having them milking/dry at different times. They are also much easier to handle, being smaller and lighter than a cow. They need better fencing and shelter than a cow though and will climb/jump out if you're not careful! We already have cattle infrastructure, so it suited us to get a cow. Also I prefer the cow's milk taste and you have more cheese options and can make butter with cow's milk (goat's milk cream doesn't separate as its smaller globules, so can't make butter from it). I hope that helps!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12874273438983052621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-28720433830182992312012-07-13T23:04:43.603+10:002012-07-13T23:04:43.603+10:00I do love your posts about Bella. Glad to see she...I do love your posts about Bella. Glad to see she has a friend now. :) I hope I get brave enough to do this for myself some day. Keeping this good info for when I do . . . :) Thanks for sharing!Jenhttp://www.realfoodfreaks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-18200579036640196462012-07-12T20:40:15.064+10:002012-07-12T20:40:15.064+10:00A fantastic post Liz. Lots of useful information....A fantastic post Liz. Lots of useful information. Do you have an opinion on keeping a house cow vs a house goat for milk and cheese? We are looking at pros and cons for each. You've certainly made a good case for a house cow (and I was born on a dairy...)Energiser Bunnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11017705741027153101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-21442944891724136752012-07-12T10:35:02.348+10:002012-07-12T10:35:02.348+10:00Thank you! That is just the info I'm looking f...Thank you! That is just the info I'm looking for!!!Sally_Ohhttp://www.fiftytolife.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-63057946878498440392012-07-12T08:49:31.358+10:002012-07-12T08:49:31.358+10:00What a wonderfully helpful post Liz. I was particu...What a wonderfully helpful post Liz. I was particularly interested to read you comments about 'horned or polled'. I must admit I was pretty intimidated by the horns on the Jersey I milked last week. She accidently bumped my elbow when she shook her head and I was surprised by how much it hurt me. I was thinking after that that I would go for polled - but if the horns help them against wild dogs then I think they are worth leaving on. Our new property is very close to a large national park that has wild dogs. <br /><br />At the moment I'm thinking of going to a Dexter - mainly because of their small size - but I also like that they are good for meat and milk. Do you know anyone who is milking dexters? <br /><br />Regarding age and calving history - I'm planning to do something similar and get a cow that has had a few calves and is an experienced milker. that way were both not beginners. <br /><br />Thanks Liz for yet another helpful post :-)Triciahttp://www.littleecofootprints.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-60445100664783313012012-07-11T11:28:50.596+10:002012-07-11T11:28:50.596+10:00Here I was thinking that if it had horns it was a ...Here I was thinking that if it had horns it was a bull- shows what I know!africanaussiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-52042925460957488682012-07-11T09:27:49.959+10:002012-07-11T09:27:49.959+10:00I expect that the milk is much richer than factory...I expect that the milk is much richer than factory cows put out. We had Guernseys when I was growing up and the milk was wonderful. She looks like a nice cow.Sunnybrook Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18135224259672444423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-34258081566777491292012-07-11T09:00:18.593+10:002012-07-11T09:00:18.593+10:00Very practicle advice Liz. We have not gone down ...Very practicle advice Liz. We have not gone down this path even though we really want too because we are considering making some major changes in the next few years that will leave us time poor. But one day we will get a cow for milk as it would save us a fortune, hubby drinks about 2lt of milk a day.Fiona from Arbordale Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05196630415124998431noreply@blogger.com