Gettin Dexters!

Bubbas Boys · #1 01/01/15, 08:35 AM

So, we have decide on Dexters for our homestead. After talking to several on here and elsewhere, I think Dexters are for us. We have a verbal agreement with a good breeder and are going to be picking up a 5 year old bred cow and her 4 month old heifer calf. We are crazy excited. I am already wondering where I look to start thinking about getting them AI in the future. It seems like lots of folks keep Dexter bulls. Maybe we could but not sure we are ready for that. haha. Wanted to share! Thanks!

Bubbas Boys · #2 01/01/15, 09:21 AM

What can I expect to pay to have AI done? Thanks!

Gabriel · #3 01/01/15, 09:22 AM

How far away is the seller? Perhaps you could rent their bull.

Bubbas Boys · #4 01/01/15, 11:00 AM

Yeah, maybe. They are about 3 hours south of us. Not bad I guess.

Bubbas Boys · #5 01/01/15, 11:01 AM

They have a short legged bull though. We were wanting to breed that out of ours. She is registered and we are thinking of getting a registered bull semen.

postroad · #6 01/01/15, 11:51 AM

Hope you have as good an experience with them as we have.

karenp · #7 01/01/15, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubbas Boys

They have a short legged bull though. We were wanting to breed that out of ours. She is registered and we are thinking of getting a registered bull semen.

When you say you want to breed that out of yours, does that mean your girls are "short legged"/ chondro positive? If so, and you breed to a chondro positive bull statistically you have a 25% chance of having a non-viable calf. If she is not "short"/chondro positive then she does not have the gene and it does not need to be bred out. They tell me you can't always tell be looking, there is a simple genetic test using hair follicles if you want to know. There is lots of information in the Dexter Cattle Proboard site. Also, Genebo who pops in here from time to time is a great resource.

PS congratulations on your Dexters, great choice. As to price for AI, it varies a whole lot depending on where you are.

Bubbas Boys · #8 01/01/15, 03:30 PM

Thanks Karen. The bred heifer is not short legged, she is registered also. The calf is hers and the Daddy is a short legged bull. It was my understanding of the same thing you mentioned. The calf has not been tested but I assume she has a 50/50 chance of having it. Right?

genebo · #9 01/01/15, 06:48 PM

Thank you, Karenp, for your kind words.

Bubbas Boys, since your cow is not the short legged type (I assume she has been tested?) then there is no chance that she can throw a "bulldog calf". That is the non-viable calf that Karenp spoke of. You only chance that when you breed two short legged types together.

I keep a short legged bull to service my long legged cows. That precludes the chance of having a bulldog calf. It works just as well if you keep a long legged bull. Then you can have either or both types of cows and still not risk a bulldog calf.

Functionally, the two types are the same. The smallest Dexters of all are the short legged ones. The cuteness factor is off the chart! Yet they still give a moderate amount of milk and some of the best beef. It has won awards.

The drawback to a Dexter for some is that they don't give as much milk as a Jersey or other dairy breed. Nor do they produce as much beef as an Angus or other breed of beef cattle (imagine a T-bone the size of a pork chop!).

The advantage is that they eat a lot less. If you have limited amounts of pasture land, but still want a milk cow, this is one way to do it.

Besides, the lower the milk production, the less milk related problems you're likely to incur. Think milk fever and mastitis. Dexters, when properly cared for, are a very hardy breed and live to ripe old ages. They can be milked on a once a day schedule. If the cow is allowed to keep her calf, you can still probably get as much milk as you want while she raises some milk-fed beef for you. While she has her calf on her, you can even skip milking for a day, once in a while.

One last problem: owning Dexters is like eating potato chips. It's hard to stop after just a few. They are the gentlest breed of cattle overall, and many people treat them like pets.

Good luck with your Dexters. You are joining a special group of cattle owners, unlike beef or dairy cattlemen. It's going to be a fun learning experience.

Keep us posted.

Bubbas Boys · #10 01/01/15, 06:54 PM

Genebo, thank you so much for the warm invite and great info. We are so excited get them here. We have been so here and there on what breed. We think this is the best choice for our little homestead and is going to be a great experience. We have a lot to learn but are looking forward to it. If it is ok I will probably be picking your brain here and there. The breeder sounds great and is very helpful and informative. I will keep giving updates! Thanks again.

pfettig77 · #11 01/02/15, 09:42 AM

Are you going to be milking them or just raising them for beef? We're in the same boat. We're getting some cattle this spring/winter and we're doing strictly beef with them and I was looking at dexters but switched to wanting lowline because they're beefier. Then I met some dexters a few days ago and they were so cute that now they're back in the mix for consideration. The advantages of beef dexter over lowline seem to be that they eat a little less(?), they're a bit cheaper and the meat seems to be second to none. Does that sound about right?

genebo · #12 01/02/15, 11:34 AM

That does sound about right. Some breeders have leaned toward selecting Dexters for beefier qualities. They sell Dexter beef to specialty markets or to informed individuals.

You might like to contact the owner listed on the pedigree that this link takes you to:

http://www.legacydextercattleregistr...nfo.php?mid=53

She has spent many years selectively breeding her Dexters. She can advise you and is a good source for the type of Dexters you mentioned.

Bubbas Boys · #13 01/03/15, 06:45 AM

We have a starter lot and little shed they will go in when they get here (lot is 75x40), but they will move to the pasture I planted last year in hopes that we would get one. It has no fencing on it so, I am thinking of going with field wire instead of HT just cause it will be a nicer fence and hold in/out things pretty good. How tall do you recommend installing for Dexters? I was going with other ideas on here, field wire rolls, wood corners and t post every 10 ft?? Thanks!

blessingsfarms · #14 01/03/15, 10:01 AM

We are using 4' woven red brand for ours with no
hot wire for the perimeters of 3 1 1/2 acre areas and
sacrifice area. We went 4' do to our crazy goats ( never
realized the jumping ability of goats) and for the possibility
of a bull and insuring containment. That said we hope to
start a rotational grazing in paddocks with hot wire.
We are setting post at 7'. Mostly 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 hardwood.
If you have not I recommend the thread on here and I like
Joel Stallon too.