Dan L wrote:
"David Hare-Scott" wrote:
Dan L wrote:
"FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote:
"Dan L." wrote in message

Why I have my own chickens and a Jersey milk cow.

Mmmmmm.. A Jersey. How much does she produce a day?

Nothing yet, impregnated the cow last week.

How was it for you? At least she wouldn't want to share your
cigarette afterwards.
No smoker here, however the vet was up to his armpit and cost me $80



Did you ever read the books or see the TV series "All creatures great and
small"? It's about country vets in the UK and quite delighful. In it the
chief vet declares (truthfully) "there is much good information to be had up
a cow's arse". This was on prime-time TV about 30 years ago, I nearly fell
off my chair laughing.

She should produce more
than I can drink. Will learn to make my own cheese products with the
extra. The cheese making equipment is not cheap. I read, not done it
yet, it takes 17 pounds of milk and one year to make one pound of
parmesan cheese. Bessy plays like a dog, wants to be petted and
runs and romps around. Sometimes I get a little nervous around her
with her playfulness and hope I do not get hurt.

I have the same worry when Mootilda bangs her face into the feed
bucket I am holding. Cows seem very rough compared to horses. I
am pretty sure she won't deliberately hurt me but the horns come
close.

David
HORNS!!!!!! Bessy was dehorned from day one! The holes filled in
within a week. The feed buckets are next to the summer shelter. She
does not see me put feed in the bucket. If she sees me she runs at
full speed to me. She has a two acre pasture to play in. I will
create another two acre pasture by next spring next to it. Same
feeling here, if I get hurt it was not intentional. I do not want her
to be afraid when it comes time for milking. She has a good friend, a
chocolate labrador that comes over and plays and romp together.

Currently she is milking me for money like there is tomorrow. Which
worries me a little. I call this the infrastructure cost that should
last a long time. One major cost is concerning me. I would love to
get a mini hay bailer, but they are extremely expensive. Right now my
neighbor bails hay for me.

Many people find it cost effective to pay a contractor to cut and bail hay
instead of owning the machinery.

David