cows

[chrisdvorak]

i have a 3 acre field and i am looking to get 2 jerseys in it with a run-in shed do you think they will tear up the ground? the field is all cleared and has fence all around and the back side has a wall with lots of shade-trees behind it ,it does have field grass in it and i am planning on brush-cutting it once a month. do you think my plan will work? and pics of your run-in shed would be great too

 

[MikeInEburg]

The ground near the shed will be torn to shreds. Two animals on three acres should be fine. Locate the shed on high ground. Good luck!
Mike

 

[Duffster]

Here is our "2 steer" shed with one acre of pasture. They don't tear it up at all.

 

[Bird]

looking to get 2 jerseys in it with a run-in shed

I'm curious. Why Jerseys? Are you getting milk cows, bulls, or steers? The milk cows we had when I was a kid were Jerseys, although I think Guernseys were more popular back then, and of course, I guess Holsteins now.

 

[jimmyj]

Wow diffster, I'm amazed at your ground.

We used to keep a few Dexter cows and the area near the shed was torn up something awful. Every year the size of the ruined area got larger and we eventually stopped with cows.

I can't think of a barnyard for cows that has not been torn up by memory. What's your secret?

 

[chrisdvorak]

i'm gettin jerseys because there is a farm up the road from me that sells them very cheap as calfs, also i am going to let the kids show them in the fair and they like the jerseys also for just two cows how big of a run-in shed do i need? i will try to get pics of the field today...

 

[Duffster]

i'm gettin jerseys because there is a farm up the road from me that sells them very cheap as calfs, also i am going to let the kids show them in the fair and they like the jerseys also for just two cows how big of a run-in shed do i need?

Ours only get 1/3 of that 20 x 36.

Wow diffster, I'm amazed at your ground.

We used to keep a few Dexter cows and the area near the shed was torn up something awful. Every year the size of the ruined area got larger and we eventually stopped with cows.

I can't think of a barnyard for cows that has not been torn up by memory. What's your secret?

The ground is built up a bit and the waterer is not near the barn and we keep the manure cleaned up well.

 

[jayste]

Duffster's got the key to good ground. You need good slope at your barn to keep the water away from it. Put your water tank away from it as well. Depending what your graze is like, 2 cows/3 acres, you might have to scrap the plan for monthly brush hogging. They might keep it down for you. Also, keep in mind if you salt them that any spillage will cause the grass not to grow there and ground damage will occur. My inlaws say that Jersey's fed with cotton seed meal will give some real good (rich) milk.

Jay

 

[chrisdvorak]

even better if i don't have to cut it every month

 

[Bird]

i'm gettin jerseys because there is a farm up the road from me that sells them very cheap as calfs, also i am going to let the kids show them in the fair and they like the jerseys also for just two cows how big of a run-in shed do i need? i will try to get pics of the field today...

I just wondered, and that sounds like good reasons. And while it's been quite a few years, in my experience the Jerseys are also gentler, easier to manage, and even become pets.