from time to time, i will have an imaginative flight of fancy. i will decide on a project i want to undertake, and i will research it will passion and zeal. some, like the front yard garden, come to fruition fairly soon. others, like getting chickens, take longer. some, like getting alpacas, get scrapped once i get to the point where i realize they are just a silly dream.
others float around my consciousness and pop up periodically, only to be discarded again and again for the same reasons i initially discarded them. one of these ideas was getting dairy goats. when i finally talked to one friend who actually had them in the ‘burbs, she told me the real deal: that they got out repeatedly and tried to eat the neighbor’s house. they chewed on everything and were near impossible to contain. yes, they gave milk, but the benefits were clearly not worth the hassle. so that was the info i needed to make up my mind. no goats. got it.
but recently, i stumbled upon a new and possibly even better idea to solve my thirst for fresh, organic, raw milk: miniature dairy cows. i have read a bit and looked around on the internet. i am still in the very beginning stages of research, and i still have a LOT to learn. my yard is just barely barely big enough, and i would need to buy hay, since i can’t grow enough grass to feed it completely. i would need to deal with the manure issue, and i would have to make nicey nice with at least one neighbor. one friend has raised the very real issue of manure run-off into the water table in a place where it rains as much as it does in seattle, so that obviously needs to be looked into more. i am more than willing to admit that i don’t even know what i don’t know, and that’s where i am hoping you all come in.
i want to pick your brains.
i am hoping to visit several miniature cow farms over the next few weeks. i want to have a lot of intelligent questions ready to ask them.
so what do i need to know? what might i be overlooking? what would you want to know?
for those of you who raise livestock, what do you wish you knew beforehand? what would you say to a newbie? any cautionary tales? any good resources to recommend?
keep in mind that this very well may never happen. i have checked into the zoning in my area, and this is very grey. because mini-cows are not exactly cows (as far as their size and weight) but not exactly not, they are not clearly defined. i would need to sit down with someone from the city when and if i decide this is something i really want to pursue, but i am not even close to there yet…
so, can i borrow your brains?
Jan 18, 2013 @ 15:33:00
i have a question… which i would need answered before i went onto to any other details: are they “mini” cows because of their own genetics (like certains types of horses) or because someone seriously messed with them? if they are a natutrally occurring, but slightly odd, gift of nature, then you should definitely look further into it. BUT… well i think you can see how i feel about humans captilizing on defects in animals for our own convenience.
a dog is a dog, BUT what the \*#& is a chihuahua?? AND then there’s those cat’s with very short legs that can’t jump, that’s not humane at all!
let me know how you do?
Jan 18, 2013 @ 15:38:58
Manure shouldn’t be all that difficult to deal with – if you have a compost bin and plenty of “browns.” Maybe keep a bale of straw and/or wood shavings to keep the “balance” right. Cow manure does a fine job of speeding up the bio-activity of your compost pile.
I think your biggest challenges will be managing the smell and keeping your neighbors happy. Cows are rather odiferous – and not in a nice way, like horses! IMHO. The other big challenge will be zoning, I’m sure. I’m in San Jose, CA and chickens (hens) are legal, but other farm animals – including miniature pigs (!) – are considered “livestock” and are banned in the ‘burbs. Can’t speak for Seattle, obviously.
I guess the other “practicality” question would be: Just how much milk would you get from a mini-cow? Would it be enough to feed your family and make it worthwhile?
It definitely sounds like fun and I’d certainly look forward to your “Julie the Farm-Girl” posts! And – on the plus side – at least your dog couldn’t kill a cow, right?! (Right?!)
Jan 18, 2013 @ 15:42:38
returning sheepishly, after emoving big foot from small mounth…
they’re really kinda cute, huh! and their little because theyé breed from the smallest rather than the largest end of the herd or from natural miniturization.
http://www.bigpictureagriculture.com/2011/10/ten-miniature-cattle-breeds-for-your.html
Jan 18, 2013 @ 15:52:57
Julie, I researched meat goats, taking classes, workshops, visiting goateries, reading books, preparing pen and housing, good bloodlines, bought kiko goats from a reputable breeder, lost thrwee because they jumped the fence into my pastured poultry pen and ate the chicken feed, leading to agonized deaths for some snd appalling vet bills for the rest who had to have their stomachs drenched like overdosed drug addicts. The ones that survived jumped on my truck routinely, scratching it badly and breaking the windshield. Oh, yes, and one sweet wether, bottle raised and adorable, grew up and suddenly went Cujo, attacking me and my dogs.
In other words, research has its limitations. My suggestion is that you do what Harvey Ussery (he has a website you will love) and many other homesteaders with small properties do: since it is illegal to sell raw milk, so they can’t buy it, nor have a milk-producing animal on their land, they buy cow or goat or sheep shares!!!! A CSA for raw milk. Besides the raw milk, as an owner, you get to visit the fatm with your children, share chores, picnic, barter – win-win. And don’t have to be the main decision-maker as to what to do with the baby cow!
Jan 18, 2013 @ 16:18:51
The Belted Galloway looks like the perfect option for a Yeshivish family.
Jan 18, 2013 @ 16:19:55
CSA Milk Shares sounds like a good idea – but I saw a movie on Netflix, recently, about how the gov’t has been cracking down on those as well. I *think* the movie was called “Farmageddon” – and it was pretty scary. Thankfully, we can buy Raw Milk here – but man is it expensive ($10.00 for half-a-gallon!).
I kinda like this “flight of fancy” though, and now I’m looking into miniature beef cattle – assuming I can find someplace to pasture it! Zoning ordinances aside: I don’t think Hubs would appreciate a pooping lawn ornament!
Jan 18, 2013 @ 16:50:25
When you visit the mini-cow farms, notice the soil. I don’t know about mini-cows but regular ones are very hard on soil so your yard ends up being a muddy mess.
If you get involved with composting, cow manure is the best kind to use in the recipe.
Consider the smell factor.
What are the medical needs of a cow?
You need more than hay, like a salt lick and I don’t know what else.
I assume that to get milk you have to breed the cow. What does that cost? What if it has a calf?
What is the milk output of a mini-cow? Do you have to tromp out in the mud twice a day to milk it?
What are their shelter requirements?
If you try this and decide it’s not working out, what can you do with it? Sell it? Fill the freezer with steaks?
Grant
Jan 18, 2013 @ 16:55:33
There is also the fact that your cow needs to be serviced each year so that it will have a calf and continue to produce milk.
Jan 18, 2013 @ 19:04:47
Your cow having a calf as the natural triggering process milk is a BIG factor. Of course, if it’s an easy delivery,it’s great education for your home-schooled children but what if it’s not? That’s great education, too but also heartbreak. Then what do you do with the calf? Let it suckle your milk? Feed it expensive artificial replacer? Raise it for veal? Sell it? Keep it if female? All questions to deal with if only you had your very own land, which is where you are tending.
My own solution is, I met a very nice your fatm couple, the husband of which was an intern at Joel Salatin’s. Joel helped him get set up with a daairy opperation on one of his leased farms. The intern, now a dairyman, sells his milk at a Whole Foods near me. I pay more because I met the couple and trust what they feed their cows and I feel like I’m helping support the Salatin ethic. It’s pasteurized, but I think that’s a good solution in a state where raw milk is verboten.
Jan 20, 2013 @ 12:15:00
When you are ready for your cow adventure you can take me with you. I love cows, they are so cute!
Jan 20, 2013 @ 19:52:41
I would be concerned with how they became “miniature” cows.
Jan 20, 2013 @ 20:58:32
I applaud your journey into self sustainability, but maybe you should do more research. Farm animals are not sustainable and milk really isn’t that beneficial. Instead of getting a cow, which will require even more resources, you could grow Kale or other dark leafy greens, all full of nutrients and better absorbed by the body. If you really want to be environment friendly, try going vegan. Do some research. It makes sense and is more economical and practical.
Jan 20, 2013 @ 21:21:33
Not related to the specific topic – but wanted you to be aware of a new online mag coming soon. Info is at http://www.fromscratchmag.com. It’s called FROM SCRATCH and sounds like something you will be interested in.
Jan 21, 2013 @ 14:30:00
Ask the miniature farm that you visit the percentage of live births that are viable. I don’t know about cows but with miniature horses it is appallingly low because they are not a naturally occurring miniature but a genetic abnormality. After being raised on a dairy I no longer consume milk products. I imagine that after some research into how milk is produced (i.e. the cow is only dry for a very short period during gestation and her calf is removed to keep her producing) you may decide that the cruelty involved is not worth the product. Or you may not.
Jan 21, 2013 @ 15:53:08
I lived in an area where you could raise goats and cows on you property within the township of Hillsboro, VA. The first night I thought a baby was being abused…turned out to be bleating goats. Cows bring flies, unpleasant smells, and they eat the vegetation so you end up with muddy yards. CSA Milk Shares are a great idea and cover the cows/goats needs for larger areas to graze, a larger population of animals, proper housing and care as well as fewer people to “complain!”
Jan 21, 2013 @ 17:40:28
some friends of mine in our rural area had two cows, not miniature, but smallish cows and lots of pasture for them. In addition they fed them hay and other supplements and took very good care of them. However, it became clear after a year of keeping good records, that it was cheaper to just buy the expensive raw milk from someone else than to feed and vet those two cows. Just be careful that the expense and time and care needed is more than it’s worth.
Jan 22, 2013 @ 01:39:16
ALMOND MILK
Jan 22, 2013 @ 15:23:03
that will be a veeery sad cow.
Jan 22, 2013 @ 18:37:21
Julie, I’m afraid owning any breed of cow is not logical within the limits of a city or suburb. My husband and I, just recently, began raising Irish Dexter Cattle, which are registered through the ADCA ( American Dexter Cattle Association ). I encourage you to visit the website at http://www.dextercattle.org where you will find all kinds of helpful information and resources.
These cattle are not miniatures. Their size comes from the very beginnings of their breed, from the very beginning of time! I can tell you, right off the bat – you can put 2 cows on a half acre. But that will require a LOT of additional care and expense out of you. These cattle are not your usual $400.00 average calf price, either. We paid $400.00 for our first steer. We paid $1,500.00 for our first Bull. And the least we’ve paid for a Cow/Calf pair is $1,900.00 – and a great deal on that one. We have 10 acres and are hoping to acquire more acreage within the next 10 years.
As of right now – we have invested somewhere in the neighborhood of about $25,000.00. And we’re not finished with getting set up, yet. I have not posted lately, at my blog. The winter has been overwhelming for the two of us. But feel free to read through all that I have been able to share, so far.
If you are looking for free fertilizer… I can testify to 2 rabbits having their cages cleaned weekly and turning sand into soil within a year. My neighbors were totally upset when I moved away.
If you’re looking for raw milk… seek out a source for joining a CSA. Trust me. It could be a lot less expensive than this venture we’re facing!
Jan 23, 2013 @ 00:11:43
I don’t know anything about mini-cows (but I love the idea!), but I did want to tell you our experience with city zoning and cows. We lived in a small town in Southwest Washington state and thought exactly what you were saying, that small cows fall into a gray are in zoning. So we purchased 24-hour old calves with the intent of keeping them in our back yard (we lived on a 10,000 sq.ft lot and had plenty of room) and bottle feeding them till they weened and then taking them 15 miles away to a relative’s acreage where we could raise them for beef. These calves were obviously small and fit within the 100 lb weight limit for animals in city limits and there was no ban on livestock animals in the zoning. We didn’t bother to ask or tell our neighbors or city, except the neighbors directly next door who also bought calves that day and within 48 hours we were slapped with a code violation. Another neighbor had apparently reported us and the city decided that it could use the nuisance code. The way the code was explained to me by our city was that a neighbor can report anything they want as a nuisance and if the city agrees than they cite you. So really they can use it for anything. The crazy thing was that a new council member had just tried to push through a ban on all livestock animals, but it had been voted down because backyard chicken were quite popular in our town. I really thought we would be able to keep the calves there for a few weeks without problems, but apparently we were very wrong. We were given 14 day to remove the calves. The city kept saying things like “If we let you keep a calf you might try and raise full grown cows” Really that was just such ridiculous logic and obviously a full grown cow would have violate a number of city codes, which was never our intent. We have since moved to a rural area and I will have to start looking at mini-cows! My kids would love to have a “pet” like that =)
Jan 23, 2013 @ 13:08:42
that’s good information to keep in mind- thanks for sharing it. it’s so good to have lots of facts at my disposal if and when i decide to move forward… thanks again!
Jan 23, 2013 @ 13:18:14
okay- i will check your website. thank you for your thoughtful advice and your insights- i really appreciate it!
Jan 23, 2013 @ 13:20:53
why?
Jan 23, 2013 @ 13:41:20
hahahahaha- not in my house, but thanks for the idea
Jan 23, 2013 @ 13:46:19
sigh… that’s what it’s looking like… thanks for the good info!
Jan 23, 2013 @ 13:47:42
okay- consider me warned! (thanks!)
Jan 23, 2013 @ 13:51:14
wow- thanks for that sobering info… that is really something to ponder…
Jan 23, 2013 @ 14:10:16
awesome- i will check that out- thanks!
Jan 23, 2013 @ 14:13:10
ok- point taken. i will respectfully disagree with your stance that cows are not sustainable (please read what joel salatin has to say on this), but as i would have to raise one, you are correct. and i do thank you for contributing to the discourse and saying your opinions in such a clear way.
Jan 23, 2013 @ 14:15:44
they breed the smallest of the lines…
Jan 23, 2013 @ 14:16:07
i know, right???
Jan 23, 2013 @ 14:16:31
ah, all EXCELLENT points to consider… thanks!
Jan 23, 2013 @ 14:16:44
yep- kinda gross…
Jan 23, 2013 @ 14:17:09
ooooooooooh- good questions! thanks!
Jan 23, 2013 @ 14:18:26
luckily, we can get raw milk here in washington also- unlike in michigan… yay for us!!! (sorry, michigan…) and sorry to your hubby for putting this in your head…
Jan 23, 2013 @ 14:19:21
yes- all good things to keep in mind… so much info for one small brain (mine!)… sigh- hahahahaha
Jan 23, 2013 @ 14:19:58
we are all about cute
Jan 23, 2013 @ 14:21:59
yes, i don’t think the dog could kill a cow- and that’s big plus! we would get enough milk, with some to spare (i.e. trade for “farm” work). i was thinking that the only cow smells were from the manure, but maybe that’s not the case? i will have to investigate further… i’ll keep you posted…
Jan 23, 2013 @ 19:29:16
A good guide on what can be done livestock-wise on a small urban homestead can is Backyard Farming on an Acre (More or Less). I have a review of it here: http://www.hillcottagefarm.com/homesteading-resources.html
Jan 30, 2013 @ 11:28:48
I had to read the comments first, and I see that Dexters have already been mentioned. Excellent breed from what my limited research has told me. There’s a calf for sale near me:
http://manitoba.kijiji.ca/c-pets-livestock-for-sale-Dexter-heifer-calf-W0QQAdIdZ450012414
I have half a 3-year old steer in my freezer, and it is the best beef. So tender and tasty.
But yeah, like the others, it probably makes sense to keep a cow outside the city.