Just Purchased 3 Heifers

[indexters]

Greetings and thank you to all for sharing so much knowledge on this board. Now I have a few questions that I may have missed the answers to in my search, so sorry if this is repetitive.

First, all three have registered dams and sire with the ADCA. The breeder mentioned that first time owners are currently getting a free year membership. So just to be certain this is correct. When I get the papers from him, I join the ADCA and register my 3 new heifers all at one time? Any thoughts on a family vs individual membership? Any and all comments/suggestions that would assist me are welcome at this time.

Second, these are not exactly tame cattle. They come when called (he feeds them grain supplement in the winter), but are not handled. One is almost 8 months and the other two are just over 6 months old. Plus they have not been weened yet. So I know the bawling and such is to be expected (couple weeks if I remember correctly from my childhood), but anything else I should watch for? We have a 10x20 area in the barn that they could be shut in when they first arrive. Is this enough room for all 3 for a few days - get them used to getting a treat, hay from us, water location, etc. Plus breeder has a bad story about one he delivered that wasn't weened until delivery that got away and was lost on 500 acres. Not wanting that to happen. Again any suggestions would be appreciated.

Third, we want at least one to become our family milk cow. I know nothing about milking, but DH grew up on a large dairy. Still completely different from a one/two cow operation. So I am trying to get as much info as possible now while they are young. My first concern is getting them tamed. I want to start this from day one (with us). I have read some suggestions on this, but my big question right now is how soon should I turn them out on the pasture? It is only a small fenced area right now (we will be enlarging come spring), so not extremely hard to get them back to the barn - all is visible from barn opening. How many days (providing 10x20 is enough room - with hay and some grain) should they stay in the barn?

Lastly, for now. I want to start looking into AI possibilities around the area. DH and I are really leaning toward no bull, AI only. So question is, what is the best time to breed. Unfortunately, they do not fall in the perfect April birth date, bred at 15 months, and have April born calves. One has an early June b-day and the other two are late July. So is it better to bred them on the young side, late side, or don't worry about the early spring grass? Thanks for any and all suggestions.

[cddexter]

hi ...

first, yes. Actually I think the seller is supposed to do the transfer and you would automatically get the membership being a new owner. However, most people just hand the signed papers over to the new owner, and let them pay the transfer fees. You could point out you are new to the breed, and that would be a 'light bulb moment' for the registrar...
Depending on your circumstances, you can be either a single member or a family group. Depends on how you want the animals registered. Probably best to have a single membership as this eliminates issues in the future.

second, if they are being weaned AND shipped at the same time, the calves are going to be doubly stressed. I'd either take some preventative steps and give them all a shot of something, just in case, or at least keep a really close eye on them in case of shipping fever or anything else--you don't want to deal with sick animals!
the barn is just fine. That's lots of room for them to walk around. it's not like they are grazing. get them used to you, as you say, and let them know this is home now, and this is where the food is.
I'd be inclined to put rope halters on them, and let the lead part drag. They'll all step all over each other's, and this will take at leat 70% of the training issues away without you having to do a thing. Give them a few weeks or more to learn to trust you (provider of GOOD things, not bad) then you can tie them up for a bit, get them used to you walking around them, lightly touching them, maybe brushing them where it might be itchy, say along the back and shoulders (but stayaway from the eck and face until they are comfortable with you).

third, then you can start in touching all over and fondling (such a lovely word) their teats and udder, maybe scratching between the legs, etc. Pretty soon, you won't be any kind of threat, and you can pick the one you want for a house cow. Keep in mind that if you get all trained, if you decide to move one along, it will be more saleable if it's quiet and can be hand milked.

Last, by personal preference, I'd rather wait a bit and breed later than earlier. The calf is still growing and if she calves out early this may have a stunting effect (may!). I think it depends on your climate and feed opportunities. You don't say where you are, so I'd maybe chat up some cow neighbours and get their input, too. I know a lot of dairy animals are bred very early, but keep in mind most commercial dairy cattle are seen often as a market commodity vs. a living breathing animal with needs, are worked hard and die relatively young.

Be interesting to hear other takes on these points. carol d.

ps I don't like to refer to you as indexters. is there a name to go with the moniker?

[lakeportfarms]

Indexters,

Yes, your first year membership is free, when you join online just type 0000 in the member ID field and you'll have a number assigned to you by the registrar.

I hope the sire of these heifers has a genotype on file with the ADCA, you won't be able to register these girls without one. It would be nice of the seller to take care of this for you before you complete the sale since you're unfamiliar with this.

If they're somewhat wild, I'd keep them in the barn/stall as long as you can, at least until your grass gets going well in spring and you're sure the fencing is 100%. It will make a big difference in how they respond to you later. Make sure the barn is kept open and ventilated well. After you turn them into the pasture keep a halter on them for a while and let a 1/4" nylon rope drag about 15 feet behind them, so you can just step on it to stop them from running from you. Every time you go to see them have some treats in your pocket. Alfalfa cubes are cheap and we break off flakes. Soon they'll be curious if you have any and approach you to see without you having to pursue them.

Regarding a bull, I'd highly recommend AI for you. You'll have some time to work out the arrangements and find a tech. I would suggest your first bull semen should be out of a bull known for low birth weight calves if you can get that information. We've had some 20 lb. calves out of ours (a bull calf born November out of a heifer was 23 lbs, he is a chondro carrier), the highest ever was 39 lbs., and they average about 32 lbs. I wouldn't worry about the spring grass for calving, we've had October through January calves that do just fine, as do their moms, with some good hay. With AI you can get the calving date nailed down pretty well to keep an eye on things when the time requires.

[lakeportfarms]

Looks like Carol got her response in first while I was typing and taking a break from time to time to attend to work ;D All good suggestions too!

[indexters]

Thanks for the info so far. Sorry about the name, it was in my welcome post, but I must have forgot with all the other stuff in this post. Hi, I am Jennifer from Indiana for those wondering.

I like the halter with lead dragging idea. Should have thought of that as we do that with the pony when she is out in the yard with us. One question, when you say rope halter, do you mean a halter made with rope? If so, any reason not to just buy a halter from TSC or feed store? Might be a silly question to some, but I am curious.

No worries with the ventilation. The barn is only sided on N, E, and W. South side is cattle panels and a gate. So I would think sunshine and all would be good. I was just concerned if they needed room to stretch their legs.

Thank you for all the info so far. I really enjoy how much I can learn from this site.

Jennifer

[indexters]

Yes, the sire has genotype on file with ADCA. Apparently my breeder always just hands over the papers, at least that was the impression he gave. Can't hurt to ask, but he sounds to be getting out and may not want to mess with it. I saw that he is not a member of the ADCA so far this year (will this cause me any problems?), but may just be late paying. In case he just hands over the papers, is there anything I need to know for registering. Will I be registering and transferring?

The other thing is the herd prefix as discussed on the ADCA site. Is a herd prefix a farm name? Or is it just something like a herd name? Since these were not bred by me, do I use my breeders herd prefix for these heifers or mine? If I have this right, I have a herd prefix (10 spaces or less) and an animal name (25 spaces or less). So is this 25 spaces for prefix and name or 35 spaces total? Also, from my purchase date, how long do I have to complete all of this?

Again, thanks for all the help.
Jennifer

[lakeportfarms]

Jennifer,

Rope halters are more suitable to be left on for longer periods of time than a regular halter or chain type. But you still need to be careful with them and not tie them too tight on growing calves, and they should be checked frequently for proper fit. But they are less likely to leave rub marks. The very best are the Clinton Anderson rope halters, but they run nearly $40.00 now. We use them only for initial training since they don't loosen up and they are easier to untie after the calf has been tugging on them. These from Chicks have worked well for us after the initial process, and all of our calves go with them to their new owners. Pink for girls and blue for boys ;D

There is another thread on here with information on how to make them too...

www.chicksaddlery.com/page/CDS/PROD/MRH101

[legendrockranch]

Hi Jennifer and welcome to the forum.

Below are a few links that might help you. They were taken from the ADCA website. I haven't looked through the Dexter handbook to see how current it is.

www.dextercattle.org/PDF%20files/ADCA%20membership%20book.pdf

www.dextercattle.org/basicinfo.htm

Best of luck with your new girls.

Barb

[cddexter]

well, members are supposed to have a herd prefix, rathr like our 'last name', which goes in front of the 'given' name, like Upland susie and upland mary, for instance. The 'herd prefix' goes in front so when the computer sorts, all the Upland animals come out together.

A farm name is what you call the ranch, like Mary's little Acres Dexter Ranch.

Accurately, the person who put the bull to the cow get's their prefix on the resulting calf, even if it's bought in utero. If it is beautiful, they get the credit for being so smart as to breed that particular pair of animals together. If it turns out to be a dog, well, they get the blame for screwing up.

I didn't check the chick website, but there are lots of places that will give you written and pictoral instructions on how to make a rope halter. I usually make it with a little more rope than they suggest, as I like to have the extra length on the lead end.

Welcome. Let us know how you get on. carol d.

[lrininger]

Jennifer,

Welcome to the world of dexters. I am Linda Rininger the past director for your region, event coordinator of 2012 agm in Ft. Wayne, IN. If you would like to email me & give me your phone number I will call & help you through your registrations, and give you a brief description on what an agm is. We are located is SW Michigan, so (recruiting help) to help with the agm. Sorry had to pitch that, but seriously an agm is a great place to meet fellow dexter breeders & talk about the best little cows around. My email address is [e-mail]

[northstar]

Since I'm going through the training to milk stage right now, it seems like it would be a luxury to have 3 heifers that were milkable. I've milked one cow that had such tiny orifices, it took 45 minutes to milk her, and a neighbor has a heifer that they raised, that is so sweet and tame, but she won't let her milk down for them. My cow had tiny teats last year, and she's kicking at me a lot (getting better), but she lets her milk down for me, and her teats have grown, so they are just right. None of these situations you would know when they are young heifers. Good luck.
Marsha