The Poultry Keeper

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7324 Location: isle of lewis

maybe ,no i've got my shetland ordered ,they are small though Exclamation

,they're lovely
suz

Loudmouth Schnook · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 8:03 pm Post subject:

Suuuuuz! I can see your OH shaking his head now... Nevermind, I already tried on Ian too! Shetlands it is... sigh... can't we have both?

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7324 Location: isle of lewis

i told you i will not tell him ,he'll never know ,no i've got enough with the pigs coming in june and the cow on order
issy they are lovely though
suz

Loudmouth Schnook · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 8:18 pm Post subject:

a dexter x Shetland.... now that would be very cute! Very Happy

NannyP · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 11:12 pm Post subject:

They're gorgeous Very Happy

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

they're lovely, thanks for the pics

nigel · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 8:50 am Post subject:

are they the long or short legged type?

I wonder how they milk, they'd be the perfect size for a house cow.

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

Heather · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:35 am Post subject:

Issy · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 371 Location: somerset

Mine are non short. For some silly reason you can't call them long legged Confused

I don't milk mine but the milk is supposed to be really rich and a cow will produce enough for a household and a calf, but you have to separate them overnight and then let the calf in after you have milked the cow in the morning. Which seems a bit mean to me.

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2210 Location: North Cornwall

Hi Issy, I don't keep Dexters but have eaten Dexter beef and as you say it is very tasty.
I have 4 highland cattle.

Jan

Issy · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 371 Location: somerset

Hi Jan, I have always liked Highland cattle but they seemed a bit big (with long horns) for me!! Laughing

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2210 Location: North Cornwall

Hi Issy, compared to our main herd which are South Devons, the Highlands are quite small.

They make a good smallholder animal, don't need housing in the winter and make very good beef, the carcass being not too big

On the down side they do need to be three before they are bulled, were as your little Dexters are probably bulled at about 18 months. Have I got that right.

My grandson is very interested in Dexters and always asks for one for his birthday.

Jan

Issy · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 371 Location: somerset

Hi Jan, The registered Dexters were ready to be bulled at 15 months ( the big breeders say 15-16) but my son has a little unregistered one that will be at least 24 months before she is ready.

You must get your grandson one as they are fabulous kids cows. Paul's plays with the him and his friends when they are on bikes and is always ready for a cuddle Laughing

he has no problem about any of our animals going for meat except his. Rolling Eyes

CP · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:19 pm Post subject: