Need hey advice

Firethorn · #1 10/10/08, 11:33 AM

Ok, Im new to every bit of this and I cant think of a better place to ask my questions.

I have not decided if Im getting the Jersey cow OR two Highland cows. (Ive decided that I dont want the Swiss bull calf but I may take the highland bull.
So, my questions are this.
What kind of hay should I get to winter them out on? Is it different for the Jersey than the highland?
How much for each?
AND
I want to buy a bit extra in case someone wants to rehome a few sheep come winter. (no more than 3)

Lastly what kind of feed for a cow being milked? I would love organic. I DONT want sweet feed. I know what that does to horses.

And it gets cold here. Lots of snow at times.

Karin L · #2 10/10/08, 11:50 AM

Milk cows need a higher protein and higher calcium % hay than "beef" breeds like highlands. So a number alfalfa bales (small squares might be best for you if you got the storage space available) are good for the Jersey, and for the highlands, they're fine on grass-legume mix or plain mix-grass bales, as they are a much hardier breed than the jersey. I'm sure that since the highlanders and the jerseys are the same body weight, so they'd be fed about 2% of their body weight every day, which equals to about 15 to 20 lbs of hay per day. But no need to feed the exact ration, they can be fed free choice, especially the highlanders. Sheep will do fine on the same type of hay as the cattle.

As for sweet feed, don't worry about what it can do for cattle, because cattle and horses are two entirely different animals with different digestive systems. Sweet feed can just be fed moderately to the cattle, like 3 or 5 lbs per day per cow, as small amounts like that wouldn't hurt them, it'll provide the energy and protein needed for the jersey to produce good quality milk for you. And typically any feed you are going to feed a cow is organic, especially hay.

Also, if you are considering getting animals, make sure you have shelter and fence up before you get them, and a storage place for your feed.

Firethorn · #3 10/10/08, 12:38 PM

Thank you.
And yes, we have a barn and pasture in good goat fencing. Well its panels/sections and barb. And high so good for anything we want.

FreeRanger · #4 10/10/08, 03:02 PM

Firethorn,
If you don't provide your location, then all answers are really only valid for the person who writes the reply....in other words UPDATE your profile to say where you are located!

Examples:
You can't buy coastal grasses in the mid-west and I don't think it's easy to buy alfalfa in Florida either...unless it is trucked in to the area...

Firethorn · #5 10/10/08, 03:24 PM

Sometimes it does not prove wise to post location on the world wide web. As my families safety is valuable to me.
But I think info can be translated to apply. Like info above was very helpful.

FreeRanger · #6 10/10/08, 11:24 PM

I am sorry to hear your family lives in fear. I pray that God may help you find peace.

May your hens never crow nor rooster lay an egg...

Stay Free

Karin L · #7 10/11/08, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firethorn

Sometimes it does not prove wise to post location on the world wide web. As my families safety is valuable to me.
But I think info can be translated to apply. Like info above was very helpful.

I dont want this to sound like I'm challenging you or anything, but you wouldn't post your location even if it's just the name of the state/province you live in?

Beaners · #8 10/11/08, 11:18 AM

Just a heads up...when you go onto almost any private site, the owner of the site can read your IP address and figure out (roughly) where you are located.

Saying you live in the midwest or the northeast or the midatlantic region of the US (or whatever other country) isn't revealing too much...is it? You really would get more information.

Kayleigh