Tell me about Jersey's

6ncounting · #1 09/16/08, 08:01 PM

I just sold my extra Dexter Bull and a little heifer and am looking at a Jersey yearling heifer. We are going out to see her but don't know what to look for.

She's not been handled
Dam not on site
Coming from a small dairy

That's all I know about her, when I go to look tomorrow what should I be looking for? Thanks.

cjb · #2 09/16/08, 08:18 PM

Ours was 4 and completely NOT tame when we got her last November. In no time, she was so tame that I could milk her without tying her up or using a head gate. I can tap a leg and say "this one back" and she'll put it back for me.

I let her out of the gate and she will walk to the barn without fencing, halter.

At least for me, mine tamed down really well.

OTOH, I could see her udder etc. It sounds like you would be taking a risk on her genetics, right?

6ncounting · #3 09/16/08, 08:25 PM

risk on genetics? I'm not quite sure what the risks are where Jeresy's are concerned, I knew a lot more about Dexters

cjb · #4 09/17/08, 02:17 AM

I just mean, does her line put out alot of milk, udder attachment, tendency towards mastitis etc. In other words, does she come from good breeding.

I know nothing either, I'm just spouting off

topside1 · #5 09/17/08, 06:29 AM

Why are they selling her? Why isn't she bred? Selling her right at breeding age seems unusual? Have they tried to breed her? These are some of the concerns I'd have...TJ

francismilker · #6 09/17/08, 06:52 AM

Very gentle critters. Very prone to milk fever. Great for a family cow. Keep calcium paste and/or bottle of calcium and IV on hand during calving time just in case. Jerseys are my favorite family cow. The Milking shorthorn would come in second.

topside1 · #7 09/17/08, 07:28 AM

One last thought, why is the heifer wild and has never been handled? Most dairy animals have regular human contact from birth to the milkline...

michiganfarmer · #8 09/17/08, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjb

Ours was 4 and completely NOT tame when we got her last November. In no time, she was so tame that I could milk her without tying her up or using a head gate.

I seem to remember you having problems with her. Im glad things worked out.

cjb · #9 09/18/08, 01:59 AM

Hey Max,

Yeah, I would have given her away for awhile. I wouldn't take money for her now. Although she is only a two teater, she gives 2.5 or so gallons per day and is a real sweetheart now.

I'm hoping to get a heifer out of her next time and would prob keep/raise her as a second cow. I have a huge waiting list for milk.

Cat · #10 09/19/08, 11:34 PM

6nC... If you're interested I know someone in Hutchinson that might be able to get you a good fresh Jersey cow. Have bought a passel of calves from them and two fresh cows. The first was a perfect nurse cow from the instant I got her, the second took to calves really well too, although, being younger, she wasn't as docile as the first, just a bit spunkier. First gave 4 gallons and I couldn't get her to quit milking even though I tried! The second was giving 6 gallons and I ended up in a bad spot and had to trade her to get another jersey back after the new owner tried to kill her with my calf in utero! (Yes, dumb, dumb, dumb move...) Still, this family has kids working with their cows/calves all the time so the cows are fairly calm & manageable. Not halter broke, but being trained to be milked & handled would sure be easier than trying to tame down a wild one. I can't guarantee that they have one but last I spoke to them they said that they're pretty well able to pick at least one to sell at any time since they raise their own replacements.

PM me if you're interested and I can get you a phone number.

6ncounting · #11 09/20/08, 08:31 AM

what are they asking Cat?