Miniture Cattle

[KGerstner89]

Any one got any ideal how they might work as draft animals i thought they might could work for some one who does not have a lot of land for a full size OX.

[Rod]

Dexter steers make good oxen. Real smart and easy to train and not so big they eat you out of house and home.

[KGerstner89]

I was also looking at miniature zebu and longhorns that don’t seam to get over 600 lbs. But one problem I’m having is that almost every seller I’ve found on the net in Texas charge $1500 to $2500 for them

[bivol]

depends on what you want. do you want a pair of oxen, or just something to do the job? in latter case a single medium ox would do. in first case, yea sometihng smaller should do.
in something smal, i’d go for
1. jersey – small, light, high-strung, but light boned. not much for heavy work. dirt-cheap calves.
2. dexters – small, heavy build, stronger than 1. case, but IMO harder to manage. more expensive to get.
3. mini zebu – i dunno, maybe they’re too mini for any serious work.

how much land are we talking about(sorry for nosing in!)? and would you want to buy feed? how many $ are you willing to spend? what kind of work do you have in mind?

these are all factors in making a decision.

[Nat(wasIxy)]

I think smaller cattle are a good idea – I struggle to find enough work for my biggest, he eats a lot, I have to comply to special regulatiosn to transport him – bigger trailer, bigger car, more fuel and so on…if I had my time again, I’d go for a pair of jersey crosses instead.

A mini ox could probably do as much work as a mini horse – I think on a small market garden type plot a pair of them would be very handy?

Dexters I can quite see are very strong for their size and rugged and certainly smart, but we breed the things and I don’t fancy trying to train and work with them. The jerseys are much more biddable. Wouldn’t rule out a team of dexters though, but maybe start on something a bit more chilled?

[KGerstner89]

@bivol 26416 wrote:

depends on what you want. do you want a pair of oxen, or just something to do the job? in latter case a single medium ox would do. in first case, yea sometihng smaller should do.
in something smal, i’d go for
1. jersey – small, light, high-strung, but light boned. not much for heavy work. dirt-cheap calves.
2. dexters – small, heavy build, stronger than 1. case, but IMO harder to manage. more expensive to get.
3. mini zebu – i dunno, maybe they’re too mini for any serious work.

how much land are we talking about(sorry for nosing in!)? and would you want to buy feed? how many $ are you willing to spend? what kind of work do you have in mind?

these are all factors in making a decision.

Some light logging and plowing are some of the work that would be involved as well as stump removal i’m looking to get around 20 acres of wooded land the logging would be to build a timber frame house and barn.

[KGerstner89]

Wonder if I could find a jerseyxdexter cross

[Joshua Kingsley]

@KGerstner89 26441 wrote:

Wonder if I could find a jerseyxdexter cross

I have had several of the Crosses and even used one as a bull to cover my fathers first calf hefiers. I have a Jersey dexter in the barn milking almost 50 pounds a day for a while but tends to fall off to the 40 pound mark and hold that. she is about 600# and is 3/4 jersey with the dexter size and hair with jersey color.

Joshua

[Nat(wasIxy)]

I’m guessing the amount of work you’ve mentioned there would be beyond miniature cattle – I’d definately go for a jersey cross, not necessarily dexter although they would be good if you get plenty of help to get started. My favourite jerseyX is the belgian blue – they are a sensible size, really great temperament and not double muscled, but muscled enough. Pretty too. A hereford would also be a good cross? Shorthorn? Milking Devon? The possibilities are endless really!

[CharlyBonifaz]

ixy, do you have any JerseyXBelgianBlue? any chance of a picture? awful curious…..

[KGerstner89]

I havent really seen any dairy breeds around here in south texas but i have seen plenty of longhorns.

[Nat(wasIxy)]

yes, but only heifers right now – would like a team of 4 ‘Blue Js’ as I call ’em, but I really can’t justify 7 oxen!!!

[Nat(wasIxy)]

No reason I couldn’t work the cows of course, and maybe I will! But I’ve been on a waiting list for these BBx for 18months and there hasn’t been a single one born for a year! TYPICAL!!!

[Nat(wasIxy)]

@KGerstner89 26459 wrote:

I havent really seen any dairy breeds around here in south texas but i have seen plenty of longhorns.

Longhorns seem to do really well at all this kind of stuff – especially riding. They seem tough and intelligent, not to mention absolutely beautiful. I’d sell my granny to get one if I could!

[CharlyBonifaz]

your blue jays are beautiful! great xings!

[Author]

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