Holstein heifers

TripleD · #1 12/18/12, 09:49 AM

I responded to an add on Craigs List. Lady has access to bottle babies no pics. She said they were tubed and guarenteed to breed. They pick up at the dairys on tuesdays and deliver on sat. She said they were not free martins..... Sounds legit and can get all I want up to 30 any weeks I want them. Just asking for some thoughts on not getting taken....

glenn amolenaar · #2 12/18/12, 05:01 PM

Most dairy farms raise or have a deal with someone to raise their heifers. The only heifers we sold were crossbreeds. I would beware of calfs sold on CL this area had a buyer selling dairy calfs and most were sick and died in a few days. Why no photos my thinking poor quality animals. This was just this spring and summer.

topside1 · #3 12/18/12, 06:29 PM

If someone made me guess I'd say they are buying at a dairy auction somewhere in your area. Cleaning off the tag glue and then re-selling them to want-to-be homesteaders....Challenge them on what farms these animals are coming off of!!!! Then call one of these mentioned farms to verify. My area's dairy sale barn may have up to 100 heifers sold per week, so getting heifers is not a problem....Topside

Callieslamb · #4 12/18/12, 10:19 PM

I didn't think that tubing that young was a good check for free martins.

I answered a CL ad about jersey bull calves for $25. I bought 3 - they were great calves. Don't let someone naysaying stop you BUT...do look them over very well. One problem I saw with the calves I bought- they had been transported once, then I picked them up and transported them - shipping fever from all that stress was a real possibility. It sounds like this is a similar situation - so watch for shipping fever. If they are right off the dairy, they will have been fed real milk and switching them straight from that to powdered milk could cause some problems. Can you get some raw milk just to help switch them more slowly? I think they'd do better. I was just very watchful of mine from day one and they were great calves. Sounds like a larger dairy isn't keeping many of their heifer calves - too bad you can't just get them straight from the dairy yourself.

**gone-a-milkin** · #5 12/18/12, 10:28 PM

My guess would be what topside1 says.
Someone is reselling young calves either from an auction or straight from the farm(s?).
The risk with buying calves this young is not only shipping fever but the possibility that they didn't recieve proper new-born care (mothers colostrum).

That said, a person with some calf-raising saavy who isnt afraid to take some losses might still come out ahead.

hiddensprings · #6 12/19/12, 03:33 PM

We have a few folks in our area that do this, but like topside said they buy them at the dairy auction, and resell. Lots of folks complain on CL about them because they experience such high loss with the calves dying. I'm fortunate, live right down the road from a dairy. The owner and his father will sell me all the calves I want. And, I know exactly what I am getting.

Dusky Beauty · #7 12/19/12, 08:17 PM

Dairies will often sell you calves direct--- if they care about their animals (and most family run dairies do) they are pleased to sell calves to families to be spoiled backyard cows.
Not all the links were good, but I found 2 local jersey dairies willing to sell calves and cull cows through this directory, http://www.jerseydirectory.com/?=UnitedStates/States/
But I thought the prices were a little high and eventually I went with dexters instead.

Although, if I could get a jersey bottle heifer to put on a nurse cow for less than 80$ I think I'd still take one anyway

Holsteins though are too big for me in my opinion. Eat too much, produce too much and take too much space.

springvalley · #8 12/19/12, 09:33 PM

Lots of risks from buying calves this way, lots of good advice ^ Just watch out, some folks don`t have morals for pulling a fast one on some folks. > Thanks Marc

myersfarm · #9 12/20/12, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Callieslamb

I didn't think that tubing that young was a good check for free martins.

IT is a great way to check for free martins...if they fail they are 100% freemartins....It is not 100% you will get a breeding heifer but it is called a FREEMARTIN PROBE

topside1 · #10 12/20/12, 01:50 PM

The probe is useful from age 1 to 30 days old. It's a measuring device. Topside

oregon woodsmok · #11 12/20/12, 03:03 PM

Is there some reason you can't go directly to the dairy? Many dairies will keep a call list and call you when they have a calf born that will suit you.

You should be able to get a healthy strong calf, with the naval treated and a bottle of colostrum to feed to it. The farmer will be able to tell you something about the calf. That's much better than a totally mystery animal.

happydog · #12 12/21/12, 06:34 PM

"They pick up at the dairies on Tuesdays..."

I'd be calling the dairies yourself and see if you can buy a calf directly from them. I do the same as Dusky Beauty, look for the dairies in my state and call them directly.

Personally, I wouldn't have a Holstein if I could get a Jersey. Jerseys are superior in every way. In my prejudiced opinion.

francismilker · #13 12/23/12, 07:25 AM

I hate to sound hateful because I know everyone's out to make a living. However, imho, calf peddlers of any kind and of any breed are like used car salesman. (They buy cheap and sell higher)

If you look on a dairy sale's website and see that bull calves are bringing $50 and heifers are bringing $175, the peddler is asking at least a 100% mark-up for them.

The calf then has changed hands one extra time before it makes it to your house. It was an otherwise healthy calf when it left the dairy but was put in a trailer or pickup and lord only knows how many miles it's been towed around breathing cool air. The chances of it having pnuemonia are higher that normal. Also, since you don't know the dairyman who sold them the calf how do feel comfortable that it got colostrum?

Just my humble opinion but I'd pass on a CL calf at any cost.