11 month old holstein heifer $450... good deal?

libbypayne8 · #1 09/06/09, 09:41 PM

I usually just lurk on here but I need you guys to help me out on this one please! On my local craigslist I found a man selling two 11 month old holstein heifers for $450 each. To me that sounds like a great deal based on the few other milk cows I've found. I spoke with him on the phone and he says they were bottle fed, are halter trained and are gentle enough that he had his grandkids ride them (he has pictures he says). He said the reason he is selling them is that he feels that he and his wife are too old to start the milkcow gig again. Also that some mean neighborhood dogs have been harassing them and he doesn't want the cows to get hurt. So does this sound to good to be true, fair or like too much to you guys? The second part of my dilemma is that my property isn't quite cow ready so I would have to board the one I got somewhere. So I guess what I'm getting at is, am I crazy to pursue this or crazy not too. And if I do go through with it what should I plan to pay for boarding? Thanks in advance to everyone who helps out on this one!

Farm 36 · #2 09/06/09, 10:20 PM

If the animals are close that sound like a fair deal. I would put chain or strap on the neck and tether them out . Make sure to put a swivel snap next to the collar. A 6 to 10 ft chain on a ring and put over a steel post driven in the ground and you should be set . The swivel snap is a must to keep them from tangling up the chain . I don't like rope because it is easy to strangle themselves

DJ in WA · #3 09/06/09, 11:14 PM

I assume you know what you're getting into milking a holstein. Depending on genetics and feed, you might end up with 10 gallons of milk a day. While some think that any extra milk is "free", you will find that it actually requires extra feed and extra strain on the arms if hand milking.

topside1 · #4 09/07/09, 06:27 AM

Why isn't she bred? The only reason I can see a person owning a heifer that long is to see if she can be bred. Well she's not bred. Bottom line even if she's a non-breeder, she'll still fill a freezer at under .50 cent a pound. Sorry to be negative, but there is always a reason....Topside

Chixarecute · #5 09/07/09, 08:19 AM

11 mos old is a little young to be bred, isn't it? used to shoot for a 24 mos calving, 22 mos OK if it is a well grown animal.

PNP Katahdins · #6 09/07/09, 10:03 AM

Could she possibly be a freemartin and unable to get bred? Still good meat.

Peg

libbypayne8 · #7 09/07/09, 10:09 AM

First off thanks to everyone that has replied so far! DJ I do know what I'm getting into with a holstein, I know it can be tons of milk, but I plan to be supplying 10 people with milk and milk products plus raising a calf or two every year. So I figure it won't be way too much milk unless she's just an outrageous milker.
Topside, I too had the wondering if maybe there was something wrong with them and they couldn't be bred, but at chix said isn't 11 months a little young? I thought you shouldn't breed them till 15 months. But worse case scenario even if she can't be bred as you said she could fill a feezer at a good price.
So thanks again to everyone who's helped out and I look forward to more input!

topside1 · #8 09/07/09, 10:42 AM

I agree 11 months is a bit young, but that's not really my point. Why keep feeding an animial to that age and then sell at that low of a price? A blood test may have just revealed that they are non-breeders....Topside

FEF · #9 09/07/09, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by libbypayne8

I usually just lurk on here but I need you guys to help me out on this one please! On my local craigslist I found a man selling two 11 month old holstein heifers for $450 each. To me that sounds like a great deal based on the few other milk cows I've found. I spoke with him on the phone and he says they were bottle fed, are halter trained and are gentle enough that he had his grandkids ride them (he has pictures he says). He said the reason he is selling them is that he feels that he and his wife are too old to start the milkcow gig again. Also that some mean neighborhood dogs have been harassing them and he doesn't want the cows to get hurt. So does this sound to good to be true, fair or like too much to you guys? The second part of my dilemma is that my property isn't quite cow ready so I would have to board the one I got somewhere. So I guess what I'm getting at is, am I crazy to pursue this or crazy not too. And if I do go through with it what should I plan to pay for boarding? Thanks in advance to everyone who helps out on this one!

I'd be concerned that she's a freemartin and won't breed. Ask him if he'll guarantee her as a breeder.

The price is pretty good, if she's OK, but you may spend all the money you're saving by boarding her somewhere. How long before you'll be able to bring her home? Will he keep her until then?

cjb · #10 09/07/09, 04:59 PM

How long would it take for you to get ready? I would be concerned about the additional cost of boarding, unless you have a neighbor that would keep her for free.

Maybe the farmer would let her remain with him while you prepare your place and until she can be bred and confirmed pregnant? You could pay for the feed for that period?

libbypayne8 · #11 09/08/09, 05:46 PM

So here's the update.
I spoke to the man that is selling the heifers more today. He says that they were not twins and that he would be willing to guarantee breedability. He is also willing to keep her for me for a couple months at just the cost of feed. But he said that it would be the cost of a bale of hay every day and that seems a little high to me. So I might try to figure something else out. I also would like her closer so that I can start building a good relationship with her and he live 3 hours away. I haven't been able to go down to see her yet, but hope to on Thursday. So with the new info does anybody have any advise for me and is there anything I should look for when I go down? Thanks to everyone who has helped out so far and thanks to everyone who will!

francismilker · #12 09/08/09, 06:33 PM

Drive over, pull a sample of blood on her, send it off to check for sterility, and pay for the bale of hay a day for awhile. This will keep the man honest while you're having her checked out. It will work out better in the long run and save you a lot of hardache.

ozark_jewels · #13 09/08/09, 08:37 PM

A large heifer would eat a square bale a day, so thats just cost, no more. That is a pretty good deal.

haypoint · #14 09/10/09, 07:01 AM

Freemartian? If you don't understand that term, you need to learn more about cows before buying one.
Perhaps the current owner doesn't know.