Miniture Cattle

[bivol]

well, if plowing, logging and stump pulling are involved, you’ll need a some dexters, if were still talking small oxen (i’d prefer something medium – i know, no room!), it’s all hard work! the only job more difficult than this would be getting the logs down the mountain with oxen!

and jerseys are simply too fine boned – UNLESS! – you do crazy stuff like not castrate them till later on so they develop stronger constitution (but they’re jersey so i wouldn’t dare it without a lot of experience on oxen)

but if you cant find anything better (ewith the budget), why not just give jesreys or a cross a try?

imo, for your job a jersey X BS would be great! (if you can feed’em!)

another issue. a single ox basically uses 100% of his power to pull, while if you have a pair, each ox in yoke uses maximally 90% of his power, never 100%, effectivelly.

so, if you have a small plot, why not invest in one big ox?
the idea would be to more efiiciently use the resources – a single of can plow about 70% of the area a team can in a single day – even if it takes 30% more time.

a single ox is hinted to be a good solution for smaller farms in “oxen: a teamster’s guide”. get what is the best for you in your situation!
now, that being said, s single ox, when it falls ill, the entire team is ill… less flexibility. but energy is used more efficiently.

don’t go blindly conforming to the norm (in this case, working oxen in pairs), if a single animal might suit your needs better!

[KGerstner89]

But arn’t they herd animals that’s why i figured i should have 2. ether way it will be a long while before I finally get my own place till then ill probably just go with a small team or single to play with pulling a sled or cart to learn. and my mom likes the ideal of having miniature cattle at our 1 acre lot in the country.

[Nat(wasIxy)]

Jersey X BB don’t eat a lot and are perfectly hardy down to -19C, maybe beyond we don’t know! Ours live on nothing but grass. They will graze until the end of january, we do house a little but it’s more to do with the grazing than giving them shelter.

One big ox does have advantages but yes I would only keep a minimum of two because they are herd animals. Also, two that can work apart or together gives a lot more flexibility – for smaller jobs you could just use one, and if it was an ongoing job you could rest them alternately too.

[Nat(wasIxy)]

@KGerstner89 26499 wrote:

But arn’t they herd animals that’s why i figured i should have 2. ether way it will be a long while before I finally get my own place till then ill probably just go with a small team or single to play with pulling a sled or cart to learn. and my mom likes the ideal of having miniature cattle at our 1 acre lot in the country.

really good idea to practise on tiny ones first!

[bivol]

sorry for the late reply!

KG, well ok, if you put it that way….
but having said that you have only a single acre, it seems that ox wont be lonely because you will be always around. and if you need be, get a goat to keep him company – and produce milk!

that were arguments in favor of a single ox. if your mom prefers to have a team, than try a team ,why not – just DONT treat them lightly because they’re small, they’re real cattle anmd if you pull it off right (that is, seriously) you will learn a lot.

oh, one more thing: oxen, in general, are trained and worked by the same person who feeds and takers care of them. i dont know the details, but if you were to share your cattle obligations (feeding) with someone else, i dont know what implications (if any) that might have on them listening to you.

about small oxen – if you pick zebu or dexters, they seem small but turbo in the head, and honestly i dont know if i’sd reccomend them for a first-timer… i’m sorry if this sounds a bit frightning, but if it does, all the better. this means you’ll stay on your toes and will train them right!
and if you have hickups, just fall back on info and advice here!

good luck!

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