New to cows questions

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I'm really interested in the rotational grazing thread and am amazed how quickly some have been able to read it. Took me what seemed like months. I usually lurk and have wanted to post pictures of my new dexter-zebu cross heifer cows, but have yet to get pictures. I have tons of questions to ask though.

1. Frame Size: (a) Would some one be able to provide a good link for a none cow person to learn about this? My understanding is that it isn't quite like a body mass index. (b) What would the proper terminology be for a cow's body mass index?

2. They appear stocky, yet when I run my hand over their sides I can feel ribs. Should they be fat like a pony this time of year? I am in northern Ontario with temps dipping around 14 F at night. They do not show signs of cold, no shivering.

3. I'm giving them sweet feed, how much should I be feeding them. They have constant hay. They are smaller than a regular dexter.

4. AI techs and dairy farms and bulls are almost impossible to find in this area. There is about 100km from my house a mini herford cross mini angus bull for sale. He's probably about 500 pounds. The size of a shetland pony, the round old type of english shetland pony. What size of paddock would he need if I was to keep him seperate from the heifers?

5. They were exposed to a young unproven bull. I am wondering if they will stop cycleing because of the shorter days. We are getting about 8 hours of sun a day now.

Thanks in advance for any assistance you may be able to provide.

[MO_cows]

1. Here is a link regarding frame scores:
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ansci/beef/as1091w.htm

2. Learn a little about body condition scoring or BCS. If you can feel ribs but don't see them, it sounds like they are in good shape. Here is a link for that:
http://www.aragriculture.org/livesto...on/default.htm

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MO Cows, I am presuming your name stands for Missouri cows. The children and I one summer visited Kansas City, Missouri for July 4th celebrations. Upon coming home we froze the rest of the summer. I miss your daytime "fire-flys."

From the information in the first link I presumed the cows would have a Frame Score of 1 but on further research I came across an article about Matching the Bull's size to the cow. Here is the link: http://magissues.farmprogress.com/CL...b10/clf051.pdf

And then I found one for measuring Minis: http://www.falsterfarm.com/documents/frame_score.htm

If a person isn't sure of the exact age of their cow should they wait till they are well past the 24 month point before measuring for a Frame Score?

Regarding the body score I will have to post pictures to get other's opinions. I do not trust my judgement. Guess I am worried about kennel blindness. Which is the best presumed body score for a heifer to be before she is bred? I am thinking the girls are a Moderate or Good, but worry what if they or one is Borderline.

The one is slighty smaller boned than the other. It is hard to notice the difference but sitting analyzing them I can tell, plus the slighter one has white hairs where her udder will be one day hopefully. The slighter one is more curious: the first to approach and the first to test fencing, etc.

How much sweet feed can I feed to these cows?

[MO_cows]

BCS 5-6 is what we shoot for.