Polled Dexter?

GBov · #1 08/08/11, 07:12 PM

Am looking at getting a polled Dexter cow and would like to hear a bit about them from people who have them.

This is NOT a Dexter V Jersey thread!!!

Its just someone who would like to hear about dexter's as a first cow.

With limited space a smaller cow is a huge plus and even with all of us drinking non stop milk we couldn't get through a jerseys output.

And my hubby really loves meat so a chunkier offspring is also going to be nicer to have, esp. as a selling point to this new project lol.

Space is about an acre. Its unfenced right now but will have field fencing put up. There is a half acre bit already fenced but its for a couple of goats that are going to be bought in a month or two.

I already know that down here in Florida we will have to buy LOTS of hay for a large part of the year as it gets dry down here after the summer rains stop but does anyone know how much feed and hay a Dexter goes through per month with no grazing? That will help me factor costs per month.

copperhead46 · #2 08/08/11, 11:14 PM

I have Dexters but I couldn't put a number on the amount of feed for one thats dry lotted. If you have good hay I would say maybe half a square bale a day or a little less and about 1/2 lb grain per 100lbs. I usually keep round bales out for mine and am having to feed now because of the drought. I have 9 head on one pasture and they go through a round bale in about 6 days. I don't feed them any grain, just good hay and keep minerals and salt out for them. You will find Dexters to be very easily kept animals. You might also check www.dextercattleproboards.com , it's a friendly forum what you can get lots of answers.
P.J.

BoldViolet · #3 08/08/11, 11:59 PM

http://dextercattle.proboards.com Missed a dot there, copperhead.

Slev · #4 08/09/11, 06:48 AM

haha "Dexter vs. Jersey" haha yes there are a bunch of those. I found everyone wants to chime in, but so few have had both to even really compare.. any-who

I think polled is the way to go, my little girls went toe-to-toe with some big ol Holstein 18 mo. old steers and did they know how to use their horns. Those boys were like "YES, Ma'am" and moved right over. Plus if you ever need to headstall for some reason, life would be easier.

But, I got to tell ya, ... I worked with my IRiS and had planned on playing around using her as an oxen at one point, (so I really spent some time on her) she loved getting brushed, and I had her lift ALL of her feet for inspection, directions etc. When it came time to milk her, just a few days of worry, then heck, we even milked her ....just standing out in the pasture with nothing, she stood so good. I eventually sold her AND my Jersey to Wendle, cheap enough so I can get calves back from them. I'm just not in a place right now to commit to milking them. (((But boy, you sure are getting me in the mood..)))

Carol K · #5 08/09/11, 07:31 AM

On the pro board link you will see there is a breeder in Florida, maybe you could arrange to visit her farm, I'm just not sure if she has polled animals.
I think a Dexter would fit your situation very well. With one animal you would either have to use AI, or maybe truck her to someone that would let you use their bull for breeding. Brush up on Chondrodysplasia and PHA, nothing to be afraid of, but you should know about both defects. You can read about them here www.dextercattle.org you will also find a list of breeders for you State on this web site.

Carol K

genebo · #6 08/09/11, 11:08 AM

Ms. Schueler has some very good Dexters in Florida. Blacks, reds, duns, A2 and all the good stuff you want.

Hers are dehorned, traditional Dexters from proven good lines.

She's quite knowledgeable about Dexters and willing to help new owners.

You can find her information at:

http://www.legacydextercattleregistr...fo.php?aid=697

GBov · #7 08/09/11, 12:25 PM

Thank you all so much, have wanted them for so long and its looking like I can go ahead in less than a year.

Happy camper land, here I come

Catalytic · #8 08/09/11, 05:38 PM

I got my Dexter on Saturday, I absolutely love her! We've made a ton of progress already, imo, in "taming" her, and I hope to start halter/leading this weekend. Almost have my stanchion built so I can cover the horns and get the harness on.

genebo · #9 08/09/11, 11:31 PM

Before you commit to polled, read this:

http://www.dextercattleamericanlegac...dincrisis.html

linn · #10 08/10/11, 07:21 AM

Genebo, please don't bring up that old argument here. Didn't we have enough of that on the Dexter board? If there were ever any other blood in the breed then it is so thin now as to be neglible. Do you think the Dexters just appeared on earth as they are, no they are a product of several other breeds that found their way to Ireland. It is claimed that one man gathered together what he considered the best representatives of these native cattle and they were called after him, Dexter. I have a polled Dexter out of Circle H Frederick. She is a beautiful heifer. For me, it all boils down to preference, not what someone else thinks you should or should not have.

G. Seddon · #11 08/10/11, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linn

For me, it all boils down to preference, not what someone else thinks you should or should not have.

All the more reason to share all opinions, don't you think?

Carol K · #12 08/10/11, 07:58 AM

Polled Dexters are accepted in EVERY breed Society in the WORLD.

Carol K

linn · #13 08/10/11, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G. Seddon

All the more reason to share all opinions, don't you think?

Perhaps if it stops at that, but on the Dexter board it turned into a mini war.

GBov · #14 08/10/11, 10:13 AM

Ask a simple question LOL!

I WANT polled animals because I have young kids and am myself not very large. And never having had a cow (well, a large furry one anyway) the less intimidating it is, the better.

linn · #15 08/10/11, 10:17 AM

You could get one that has been dehorned. The offspring will have horns though unless the cow is bred to a polled bull.

G. Seddon · #16 08/10/11, 12:03 PM

GBov, here's a link to the Buyer's Checklist from the ADCA website.

http://www.dextercattle.org/buyer%20checklist.htm

You may also wish to check out the Handbook for New Members on the first page of the ADCA website (on the left, in blue); website is www.dextercattle.org. There's a lot of useful information there.

Good luck!

genebo · #17 08/10/11, 04:08 PM

Gbov,

You used the word that I kept in my mind when I was first shopping for cattle for my farm: Intimidating. Like you said, the less intimidating the better.

I chose Dexters because I could easily see over their backs. I couldn't do that with the Angus next door. I went to Olde Towne Farm and saw their Dexters, and walked among them. I wasn't intimidated. I petted them. I went to Jams Hundred Farm and walked among the Dexters, petting them as I walked. I was absolutely convinced that these gentle cattle were the breed for me.

I've never questioned my decision. From the first Dexter I bought right up to the last one born here, They've all been as gentle as my family dog. Every night I have to lock up the poultry after dark. There's no electricity at the barn, so I walk through the Dexters in the dark, pushing one aside or telling another to "Back up!".

All my Dexters have beautiful horns. None have ever threatened me with them. I did get stepped on twice. Now that hurt. I'm extra careful to watch their feet now.

If you think Dexter bulls aren't gentle, check this out. It's me and my unrestrained bull:

linn · #18 08/10/11, 05:49 PM

I did get hit by my Dexter's horn once, but it was an accident. She was standing outside the barn and I bent over her udder to see if she had milk. She swung her head around to see what I was doing and I caught a horn in the groin. They do have long, sharp horns, but very seldom use them deliberately against their humans.

Catalytic · #19 08/10/11, 06:18 PM

My girl got me twice with hers yesterday, once was my fault, the second time she was trying. We glued Kongs on them today! And yes, they are very sharp, fortunately my cut is very small, but I'm got a good bruise going from elbow to wrist LOL.

SusyTX · #20 08/10/11, 07:38 PM

We've had Dexters for several years now, and our herd is nearing 30. All of our seedstock ladies are horned, and they're beautiful and quite gentle, but when it came time for us to buy our herd bull we chose a polled one. We were a little concerned about having a horned bull, particularly as we're getting on in years, and we figured we'd have both horned and polled offspring and therefore be able to fill both market preferences someday. He's very laid back, as seems to be the nature of Dexters, and we're getting I'd guess about 80% polled calves by him. Our neighbors who focus on the Angus/Brangus cattle all thought he was an Angus.

We think there is a place for both horned and polled Dexters, and it's really a matter of personal preference. The horned Dexters are beautiful and classic, I think, and given the coyote population in our area it's nice to have Mama cows with a little more 'firepower' if needed (hasn't been yet). I've only been banged on the elbow accidentally by a cow's horn when she turned her head and I was leaning on a gate. I think you just have to watch the horns a bit when moving about the horned Dexters for the accidental event such as this was.