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Barnyard Buddies:  Lonely cow. HELP!  |
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southerncrossgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
631 Posts
Gena
Harmony
NC
USA
631 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 30 2009 : 04:18:56 AM
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Okay, a couple of days ago, we sent our steer to the butcher. That leaves Black Betty in the pasture all by herslf. (by the way the steers name was Jersey Mike) Anyway she has been bellowing for 2 days. My question is, should we find her another friend. I have Nigerian Dwarf goats. Do you think that they would be too small to be in the pasture with her? Right now we don't have any horses. If the goats are too small. should I get a horse to put in with her?
Any ideas?
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4260 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4260 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2009 : 04:59:32 AM
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A cow does like to have friends. I guess you would have to play it by ear with the goats. I would certainly try.
Michele |
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asnedecor
True Blue Farmgirl
1054 Posts
Anne
Portland
Or
USA
1054 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2009 : 06:46:56 AM
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I don't think it would be a problem with the goats. We had a cow when I was growing up and she was with the sheep all the time. Never bothered her or them - even when they lambed.
You could try the goats for an afternoon and see what happens.
Anne in Portland, OR
"Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them" Eyeore from Winnie the Pooh
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2009 : 06:51:27 AM
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Gena, I also have a steer and a heifer that have always been together. I know Mazie Mae is going to miss him when he's gone. I do have Lamancha goats that I will put in the pasture soon. They were raised with them, too. But I have thought about getting another cow or calf just for her to have company and keep her from wanting to get out and find a friend herself.
Have your goats been in with her yet? If not, I would be watching her behavior with them. Goats can run fast but cows are pretty quick, too. She may need something bigger.
Good luck. Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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southerncrossgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
631 Posts
Gena
Harmony
NC
USA
631 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2009 : 07:00:12 AM
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Kris, I think what I am really concerned with is the size of the goats. If I had a larger breed, I probably wouldn't worry as much. I have been thinking about getting a few Katahdin sheep. Do any of you have that breed of sheep?
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
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ranchmama
True Blue Farmgirl
360 Posts
Elise
Rosebud
MT
USA
360 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2009 : 07:45:57 AM
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I think the goats would be fine, just guessing here as I don't have goats or cows who are lonely :)
But that's how the saying 'get your goat' was started. Race horses used to have goats as compainions and if you wanted to play a dirty trick on someone at the racing stables, you would steal the horses goat.. then they wouldn't have a buddy and get nervous and such.
And I'm sure the goats aren't any smaller than calves when they are born, they should be fine.
Elise
Every Child Deserves Our Love &
A Bear of Their Own
http://ATeddyForKeeps.org
http://ranchmama.blogspot.com/ |
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southerncrossgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
631 Posts
Gena
Harmony
NC
USA
631 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2009 : 07:50:35 AM
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Come on girls! I was needing an excuse, so my DH would let me get sheep!
I will try the goats.
I will probably get sheep after we get home from our camping trip
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2009 : 08:13:35 AM
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Well just get sheep anyway!! But really, I think goats and cows are a better combo. because cows eat the tops of the grass then the goats will eat down farther. Where sheep will eat all the way to the dirt.
Alise, I never knew that. Thanks.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2009 : 4:50:03 PM
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cattle, goats , sheep etc are herd/flock animals, they are much happier to have others to graze with, and I've mixed them up together always, right now have 6 heifers, 3 with calves, 10 goats all does, 6 ewes, and 2 ponies that all are together in my rotation pastures. The only time I seperate is when they are having or do have new babies.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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southerncrossgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
631 Posts
Gena
Harmony
NC
USA
631 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2009 : 6:04:48 PM
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Teresa, do you feed them all the same type of feed?
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2009 : 7:23:02 PM
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Gena, they are all on pasture, and if they need some extra, they are feed a 3 way hay. I also have creeper pens with-in the pastures that the babies can get into for supplements if needed.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2009 : 7:45:00 PM
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My cow Mona's best friend is a very small angora goat named Pearl. There are also two little Icelandic ewes in with her too. She would be very lonely without them. Pearl isn't much bigger (if any) than an ND goat.I bet it would work. If you do put sheep in with the cow you need to be more careful about the type of salt block and stuff (copper is toxic to them) and no calf mannna where they can get it either. Goats are easier that way..same feed. But it works.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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southerncrossgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
631 Posts
Gena
Harmony
NC
USA
631 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2009 : 04:08:03 AM
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I am going to try the Nigerians over the weekend.
I am still going to see if hubby will let me get Katahdin sheep. We have way too much grass since the horses are all gone.
Have any of you had Katahdin sheep?
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
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Barnyard Buddies: Lonely cow. HELP! |
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Lonely cow. HELP!
