cattle care

[Dink]

Im thinking about getting a milk cow but I know nothing at all about taking care of one Ive always been a horse person.How much grain and what type?Dewormers?How much hay?Any special care?Please tell me any thing you can.

[JulieLou42]

To learn all you can as quickly as you can read Keeping a Family Cow and The Family Cow by Joann S. Grohman and Dirk Van Loon respectively. Then participate in this forum and Joann's at

http://familycow.proboards32.com/index.cgi?

[Dink]

Thanks JulieLou42

[Up North]

Originally Posted by ----

Im thinking about getting a milk cow but I know nothing at all about taking care of one Ive always been a horse person.How much grain and what type?Dewormers?How much hay?Any special care?Please tell me any thing you can.

A.) A good 16% Protien Dairy feed should suffice. You might feed anywhere from 12 t0 24 pounds a day depending on size(breed) of cow, amount of milk production desired, and quality of forages( hay or pasture grass).
B.) Dewormers? Recommended. A good pour-on of a product like Cydectin or similar every 6 months will suffice. Other folks may opt to use a program employing Diatamaceous Earth, which can be effective when done properly.
C.) Hay? The equivalent of one 50 pound small square bale per day, slightly less with medium or smaller breeds.
D.) Special Care? Yes. Proper provision of minerals a good starting place.
Dry Bed Full Belly simplest rule to prevent many ailments. Prevention of problems much more palatable and profitable than dramatic treatments and cures....Follow Julie Lou's advice and start reading.....so much knowledge available...so little time,LOL. Good Luck.