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Post by christy461 on Aug 13, 2012 12:00:20 GMT -5
I'm not new to the boards, but have just recently registered. After debating on what kind of cow to get (for about a year), we decided on a Dexter and ended up with two heifers. The guy said to take two, they're small. One is polled and one has horns. The one with horns is my problem. They are both sweet and calm, but not at all touchable. The horned one is, I guess, growing into her horns. She hasn't stabbed anyone, or tried to, but she is menacing when she lowers her head and looks sideways. I am not bothered by her, since I am the alpha cow, but I worry about her jabbing one of my little pygmy goats who share the pasture. Is there a way to teach her horn manners or something? I have never had a cow before and they are so strange! I need to get halters on them and teach them to walk on a lead, but it is VERY slow going and those horns kind of get in the way. Also, the polled one (Jelly Bean) is pregnant we think, but the horned one (Lucy Moo) isn't. Do they all go absolutely crazy when they're in heat? She runs up and down the pasture and cries and calls and acts like a crazy nutcase. I have included a photo so maybe someone can tell me if they look OK. I'm doing a lot of reading on here and want to make sure I'm caring for them correctly. We've had them about 2 months now and they are approx. 14-15 months old maybe. Attachments:
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Post by dexterfarm on Aug 13, 2012 12:21:43 GMT -5
the best way to tame them is with food. Feed them a little grain each day until they get use to you. When they feel comfortable with you they should let you start touching them. It sounds like they may not have been handled much if so it can take a while for them to warm up to you. The one you say runs up and down the fence. Is she doing this a couple of days every 3 weeks or does she do it continuously? Are they with the goats now or are they separated?
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Post by christy461 on Aug 13, 2012 13:12:37 GMT -5
They are with the goats now, and everyone gets along fine now. The male pygmy is dominant in the pasture and will rear up and make both cows move away. But, Lucy Moo does the head lowering/turning thing and waits just a little longer to move away than she used to. Would the goats be better with horses than the cows and keep the cows by themselves? The one w/o horns is not an issue.
The mooing and running and craziness are just once a month from what I can tell. After 8-10 hours it really drops off, and by the end of the day she's all normal again. It has started both times about 3am. The other cow doesn't do this, but during this time they both try to mount each other and butt heads and then zoom around.
Normally she is quiet, except when she's hungry, and they're both pretty docile. Neither one was ever handled and we got them at about 550lbs.
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Post by dexterfarm on Aug 13, 2012 13:29:29 GMT -5
I dont have goats with my cows but there are many who do with out issue. It doesnt sound like she has any interest in harming the goat just defending her spot and warning him. It is unlikely she would do little more than just push him aside. I would worry more about the goats being with the horse. depending on the horse they can deliver some mighty blows with those feet.
Yes I would say she is in heat when she does that.
when feeding the cows to tame them keep them separate of the goats so the cows dont feel that they have to defend there food.
Over a year old and not handled it will take them some time to warm up to you.
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Post by christy461 on Aug 13, 2012 13:35:36 GMT -5
Thank you for the info. You're right about defending the food. I have gotten them so I can touch them - just touch. Once. I use grain and they now associate me with good stuff. I was able to rub a lead rope over Lucy Moo's body and head, but Jelly Bean is VERY shy. We had planned to milk these girls, so I can see it's going to be a long road to even get to touch that udder! Do they look OK weight - wise?
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Post by dexterfarm on Aug 13, 2012 14:41:38 GMT -5
its a little hard to tell from that picture but I think they look fine.
I have tamed and milked a dexter that was unhandled when I got her. It takes a long time for them to gain your trust but it can be done. I recommend feeding them where you intend to milk them. If they tolerate it pet or comb them while they eat.
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Post by LizMO on Aug 13, 2012 22:40:02 GMT -5
Hi,
I also have tamed a few spooky Dexters. I used range cubes. (not alfalfa cubes).They are easy to handle and you can break them into shorter pieces and carry them in your pocket. At first the cows won't know what they are, so put a few into their feeding pan so they will learn to eat them. Now all of the cows come to me when ever they see me for their "treats"
LizMo
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Post by christy461 on Aug 14, 2012 16:24:51 GMT -5
I saw first hand how precise they can be with those horns. When I introduced my Rott/ mix dog to them, the horned cow stuck a horn out and very gently lifted the dog's lip. Then very gently set that lip back in place and took her horn back. I have no idea what that meant, but it was a very intricate move through the fence. The dog loved it.
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Gorignak
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Post by Gorignak on Aug 24, 2012 9:56:31 GMT -5
Talk about re-inventing the wheel...All these folks have given you the information that we had to learned independently over the past month......good question and spot on replies.
CONTROL the feed....MAKE THEM put their heads INTO a bucket to eat. We use the newer square detergent buckets, about 3-4 gallon. They are longer and the head fits right IN....the secret is to get them to trust you in a most vulnerable situation.
RANGE CUBES IN YOUR POCKET.....always...always exact a price, like a rub on the face or flank.
Big horns...big boy....big baby....at least in our bull's case. OZ is more dangerous with his tongue than his horns.
Big horns....big girl....big trouble.... The cows are the boss of the show. We are "taming" a 6 yr cow, a 2.5 yr heifer, and a 1 yr heifer. All are well horned... Every word these folks said will help.
We rattle the halters, and drape them over the bucket as they eat.....WE HOLD THE BUCKET IN OUR LAPS AND MAKE THEM EAT. We can now brush and rub ANYWHERE on the 2.5 yr heifer as she eats. We will be milking her in a couple months....
My neighbor who milks two Jerseys ask me if I have them in a stanchion yet, and chews me out when I tell him..."soon". "Ain't soon enough", he replies.
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Post by lindonestate on Oct 21, 2012 23:06:46 GMT -5
Thank you Thank you Thank you. We here in Oz seem hell-bent on removing horns or breeding only polled. I should not have said "we here" actually - because WE refuse to go that way. We proudly display our Dexters horns, love watching them grow into magnificant works of art. And we spend each afternoon with buckets of treats. We have two bulls, still young, one going through the teen years at the moment but so very managable and wonderful to have around. The other is a mummy's boy at which I do not complain at all about. Love the fact that he loves me for scratches and rubs even without food Time, respect with love and attention equals so much in reward - why wouldnt you want too  |
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