Have you been dreaming of have your own Milk River cow to add your homestead with fresh dairy farm products ? Raising cows can seem like an intimidate endeavor if you ’ve never done it before , but it ’s really quite manageable for beginners to raise a cow or two .
In this guide , I ’ll break down the basics of getting begin with cow conjure up so you’re able to enjoy homemade milk , butter , Malva sylvestris , and more .
One of the first determination to make is whether you want to raise dairy farm cows or beef Bos taurus . Dairy oxen , like Holsteins , are bred specifically for milk production and will need to be milk daily . gripe cattle , like Hereford , are prove in the main for meat . As founding father , I ’d commend starting with a dairy stock since you ’ll get the summate benefit of invigorated milk . Later on , you could expect at tally a beef calf to raise for your deep freezer .
cute baby cow
You ’ll need decent pasture space for your cow(s ) to crease . Aim for at least an acre of fenced - in grass per moo-cow . ensure the fence is sturdy ; cows can be quite set to get out ! Provide Mary Jane hay for wintertime feeding when the pasture is n’t grow . A three - sided protection with an unresolved front confront aside from prevailing winds will give your cow protection from the component .
For trapping , you may utilise an existing b or retrace a unproblematic , three - walled protection . Be certain to cover it with shuck and cleanse it regularly to keep thing juiceless and draft - free . You ’ll also need a sturdy sales booth or loose - stall area for milk , grooming , and medical care . Provide fresh water in the grass and caparison area at all time .
You ’ll also necessitate a fence pasture area — architectural plan for 1 - 2 estate per moo-cow for grazing . fencing must be very sturdy to stop kine .
cute baby cow
When you ’re ready to get your first cow , regard set off with a family moo-cow that has already had her first sura . This allows you to skip the hard first - calf heifer stage . seem for a healthy , friendly 3 - 5 - year - honest-to-god cow that ’s been raised in similar conditions to yours . A veterinarian should analyze any new cow before bring her household to ensure she ’s disease - destitute .
need the old possessor about the moo-cow ’s production , health history , disposition , and feed regime so you’re able to keep thing consistent at first . architectural plan to quarantine new cows on an individual basis for 30 days to supervise for illness before joining the herd . You ’ll require a trailer or large bloodline trailer to bring her home safely .
For milking , you ’ll necessitate a tough stanchion or head gate , a milk pedestal , and a bucket or bulk storage tank . verify to larn right milk technique to avoid hurt or mastitis . Milk your moo-cow totally by hand twice a day at first until you ’re comfortable with her routine .
cute baby cow
Always milk in the same order to establish the pecking order and keep things calm .
Be sure to keep accurate production disk , including the cow ’s name , date , amount of milk , any health issues , and breeding or caving details . This information is priceless for monitoring her productiveness over time . Have your veterinarian tryout milk timbre regularly as well .
cow involve a balanced dieting to thrive . In addition to pasture , provide timber hay and a little grain ration balanced for your cow ’s stage of production . affix with a mineral / vitamin mix designed for dairy kine as well .
cute baby cow
Clean , fresh water should always be available . Monitor your cow ’s body condition and adjust her feed intake accordingly .
Cows drink a lot of urine ; expect each one to need 15–30 gallon per day . Secure a true water source , like a trough .
Speaking of yield point , be sure to rebreed your cow 60–90 days after calving to preserve her milking cycle per second . Most dairy kine will calve annually . The gestation period is 9 month , so plan for her next calving by keep education and calving dates recorded .
Calving can be tricky for beginners , so have your vet ’s act ready to hand just in case .
Final Thoughts
With regular milking , alimentation , pasture revolution , and health precaution , your homestead moo-cow will leave you with all the refreshed dairy products you need
Be trusted to enjoy the soldering experience of caring for your gentle bovid friend each day as well . Let me know if you have any other cow - raising interrogative !
