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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2014 22:11:56 GMT 10
Such a shame Michael that you couldn't track down any history on her. You can post photos on here. If you use the reply button instead of the Quick Reply button you have that option. Just use the little icon with the picture frame (insert image) I would love to see a photo of her. I suppose it doesn't really matter that she isn't registered, she still is a fantastic cow for you. Interesting that she has trouble calving to a Dexter but not to a Jersey. Why do you think that is? Narrower head and forequarters? Like you, I prefer to milk from Day1, as you say, milk production will drop otherwise and it just doesn't go back up again to what it could be no matter how much she is emptied. My chooks and dogs get the colostrum (after I freeze some for emergency use). I have had requests from my Indian friends though who want the colostrum, they make a dessert from it. Personally I don't like the taste or texture of it, it is a bit icky. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2014 9:05:26 GMT 10
This is Red I have said many times that if I had the money I would have her cloned but I cannot afford to do it. As for why she can deliver Jersey calves and not Dexter's with the Dexter they have been all very large bull calves I am 180cm tall and the Dexter calves came up to my pubic area. The Jersey were heifers and were not as solid or quiet as large. Photos were taken a fortnight before calving the udder gets within 75ml of the ground with swelling. The photo taken from behind was taken on the same day why the change in colour who knows. Attachments:
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2014 12:05:22 GMT 10
Michael, I see what you mean about the white. She looks as if she may have some dairy in her, maybe graded up from a Guernsey with her colouring, the white, and that high and wide rear attachment. the placement of her rear teats looks more dairy cow than what Dexters are too. I once saw at a show a little graded cow from a Guernsey, and she also had the most massive udder, and also was rearing 3 calves plus milk for the house. They certainly are mighty little Dexters who can earn their keep. How long into the lactation does she keep up that production? Sounds like those Dexter bull calves would have been hard for any cow to have, and she looks in good nick so no doubt they would have added to them being bigger as well.. The heifer calves would make someone a nice little milker, were they red? |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2014 19:21:54 GMT 10
Hello We have two Dexter cows who provide our household with milk, cheese and butter. Yet to try icecream and yoghurt but hear it is good Do you find this a laborious process windswept? Making even your own butter? My daughter came home from. Pre school with a way of making butter with two marbles in a jar. I'm assuming yours is a little more refined, and does it involve aiding any equipment ? |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2014 20:31:28 GMT 10
She has milked for close to 9 months while also being 3 months in calf at the time.
One calf was born red but she has changed over time to now have black shoulders and rear with a red saddle.
The other born red also, who is only a few months old now will be brindle I feel as she is showing this trait at present.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2014 20:32:44 GMT 10
We have also had red brindles from dexter bulls over Jersey cows. A very pretty colour. I like JerseyXDexters, they are nice looking cattle.
Your cow Michael produces really well for you. Does she start to drop off at 9 months lactation before you dry her off, or do you just decide to give her a break?
I'd love a Dexter to produce like that, but what would I do with all of that milk? My dogs and chooks already are fat as pigs with the milk they get LOL
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2014 5:59:30 GMT 10
It takes me on a month to dry he off by missing one day milking her then I make it two days and so on. I usually decide that she needs a break to put condition on for the next calf. As for all the milk I foster a calf on her when I do not need it for my self as I am a single man and although I use milk in my coffee and puddings I do not drink milk. As is said if I had the money I would clone her and another 17year old Jersey that I have here but that is only a dream.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2014 20:47:28 GMT 10
Ah, but you can keep a daughter LOL. Especially if she had the milking ability of her mother she would be worth keeping.
We used to double suckle dairy bull calves, on our Dexters, we would get an extra veal calf that way.
However with the new Johnes rulings it isn't worth the risk of losing our status. However the dairy where we would buy our calves from is MN8, so there shouldn't be any Johnes issues there. We just don't want to ever have to deal with the extra paperwork or testing if it should ever arise.
Milky cows are a slow process of drying off aren't they? The milky cows really do milk the fat off their backs, and they do need that rest to recover condition, no matter how much feed you give them or how good it is.
Congratulations on having a superb milking example of Dexters.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2014 7:29:14 GMT 10
In answer to Squarepeg about making butter I use an electric hand beater starting on a low speed increasing the speed as the cream thickens, when it is very thick I decrease the speed further and as the butter breaks and the milk starts to flows. Use a wooden spoon to push the rest of the butter milk out of I
the butter. Then wash in cool water a couple of times.
I have seen people add salt to start with, rubbed in after washing, I do not use salt in my butter.
There are butter churns on eBay if that makes it easier, you would put the cream in the churn and you could do other work around the same area keeping an eye on it for safety sake I feel.
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