Getting started

[Robernson]

Howdy everybody! I am currently in 4-h raising beef cattle and have finally gotten the okay to start working on an ox team. There is NO 4-h ox project in my area so I’ll be a lone ranger on this one.I have pretty much picked out Brown Swiss as my breed. I have bought the Story’s Guide to Oxen and will be reading that. Anyhow I would like some info and feedback for you guys about how you got stated and just things I need to know.
R

[Howie]

Welcome Robernson
You can ask just about any thing about oxen here you want and someone will give you an answer. I have had oxen for 52 years and was county 4H ox leader for 30 years so ask away.:eek::eek:

[Robernson]

First question: Would it be better to let the “future Oxen” run by themselves or with the rest of the herd?

Second: Is the Brown swiss a good breed for starters? I/we (cause I know my dad will like ’em) will use them for general farm work. Pulling trailers and logging. Maybe someday we will be able to do tillage!

Third: What did you guys feed your growing critters? I feed my calves a 16% feed but then again they are beef cattle,so I don’t know if that makes a difference.
That is all for now.
R

[Gabe Ayers]

There are two fellows in Central Virginia that work oxen.

Luke Conner 804-475-6147
Bill Speiden – oxpwr@yahoo.com

Glad you are here, good luck, let us know if we can help you in any way.

Our website address is below if you are interested in looking at what we do to promote Restorative Forestry and modern animal powered techniques.

Welcome,

[Robernson]

Thanks to all who hath responded so far. I am now going to riddle you with questions so brace yourselves!

1. Yokes vs Harness. My Dad has been in wood working for a realy long time so if I was to give him plans and measurements he could, most likely make them as I needed.

2. I read a “Calf training schedual” It says after getting them acclimated to the halter and to your voice,to hook something light behind them…how old should they be then?

3. Bottle baby vs freshly weaned. Taking care of the “bottle baby” isn’t a problem as I have done it in the past.

4.I heard speak of an “Ox caliper” for measure for yoke size. What is this and can you just use a regular tape measure?

I’m sorry,I have ordered the book but it is going to take it awhile. I just can’t help but ask.
R

[Howie]

1 An ox works bestin a yoke. Your dad will have no problem.

2 A bottle baby will be the easiest, make him think you are his mother, you would do anything for your mother. If you are going to lead them then halter break them. If you are going to drive them put a rope around his neck so he can’t get away and teach them to drive. They can just as well be pulling a lawn cart and doing some work by the time they are a month old. Just be careful not to over load them.

3 The caliper works fine if you know how to use it.:confused:

[Robernson]

Okay thanks guys.

[Robernson]

What breed,personally would you reccommend? Desicions are very hard.
R

[Vicki]

Best piece of advice I can give you: take Howie’s advice very seriously.

If you have Swiss and like Swiss and can accommodate a very large ox, Swiss is great to start with. I would not let him run with the herd if the herd is untrained until he learns to respect and respond to you.

I think 16% is more protein than you need for a growing working steer. They don’t have to grow real fast if you intend to keep them for ten years or more. He won’t need a concentrate at all after a year if he’s in good health with decent hay.

After two months or so, they can pull brush, a car tire, a small sled with a little manure or firewood or bale of hay, etc.

Fasten two straight sticks at right angles, place against the calf’s neck just behind the ears; place another stick vertical against the other side of neck, make a mark where the second stick intersects the horizontal, measure, add about 1″ for a young animal=size of bow.

Get Les Barden’s “Training the Teamster” from NE Ox Supply, and Ray Ludwig’s “Pride & Joy of Working Cattle.”

Have fun! Keep us posted on you and the calves.

Congratulations on embarking on the great ox journey. You never know where it might lead. . .

[Howie]

The most important thing with breed is to get the breed that you like.
MY choice for a first breed for a person with no experience and no mentor right there to help, would be a Hornd Herford. They are gentle and just a little smarter than a Swiss. If the project goes bad you have a first rate beef.:)

[Robernson]

Okay. Advice very well taken. However I haven’t found many horned herefords in my neck of the woods. The oxen crowd around here seems to like the Jersey,the Dexter and the Holstein. I will however keep my ear to the ground on the horned herefords but when I find ’em they are pricey!! Anyhow I’ll keep you updated.
R:D

[Carl Russell]

You can measure the steer’s neck using two carpenters squares. Hold the long arms together and slide one of the short arms out to fit the neck between them and snug them up against the shoulder at the base of the neck. That should be just about the correct size.

Carl

[Nat(wasIxy)]

I always go for bottle babies so they never know anything other than doing what I say.

Breed is a personal thing, some better than others but go with your heart or you’ll never be truly satisfied! I didn’t get on with brown swiss, but that’s just me, they do have a lot of good points. I don’t fancy holstein or jersey either but my boring old simmiXfriesian is just the ticket! 😀

Harness or yokes is likewise a personal thing. I prefer harness as it’s easier for me to make, store, and use and I prefer not to use the neck or head as the point of pull for much weight, even though that’s traditional in some places.

I don’t let mine run with the herd until I’m fully confident I can catch and lead them away again if I need them. They learn bad habits just as easily as good!

[Robernson]

Ixy…Carl,
Thanks. Now I guess the hunt is on for either Horned Herefords or the Brown Swiss.
R

[Vicki]

Robernson, if you find horned Herefords or Dexters, let me know. Where are you?

[Author]

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