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Post by jamshundred on Apr 27, 2014 14:07:42 GMT
Hope everyone took a good look at the photos of the Dexters at Someday Maybe Farm in New York. Those pack barns are wonderful. Did you see all those traditional HORNED cows roaming free?
One of the reasons given for polled animals is that horned animals are not functional in commercial operations. Well, the Lord family functions quite well with a herd nearing ( or perhaps passing) 100 animals.
Please fight for YOUR horned Dexter cattle. Traditional horned breeders have been "sitting back and taking it" for way too many years now. Be part of the solution. Save our breed from these polled imposters!
Note: Dexters are a heritage HORNED breed.
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Post by wvdexters on May 15, 2014 13:45:43 GMT
It is a great photo for dexters and what a barn.
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Post by who cares on May 20, 2014 19:30:42 GMT
Well just to let you know, I've been in that pack barn and the dominant cows in there rule and the other cows are chased and horned. Been there and seen it with my own eyes. So please don't try and convince people that cows with horns don't use them on each other.
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Post by genebo on May 21, 2014 22:03:28 GMT
You are welcome to come to my farm to see it with your own eyes. All my present Dexters are horned, and all but a few in the past have been horned. I've even had a couple of polled crosses here. One of them shared herd leader duties with a horned cow. Since 2003 there have been no incidents.
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Post by jamshundred on May 25, 2014 19:13:27 GMT
I care that you question who cares and have not the courage to be anything but anonymous. I care that there are cowards who state negative opinions while avoiding consequences. I have had many horned Dexters ( reminder that Dexters are a horned breed and ALL cattle descend from horns so it was the creators choice for cattle), and sure there are dominant cows that push and shove and use their heads and even horns with herd mates. It is done all the way down the pecking order. It is not rare to see a horn scratch on the hide of a cow. I have NEVER seen an animal bleed from a horn injury nor seen one gored. Even in a couple major bull fights neither tried to gore the other. I would say you were inexperienced and did not understand the bovine interaction you witnessed. How many cows have you ever heard of that died at the horns of another?
Judy
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Post by jamshundred on May 26, 2014 1:56:14 GMT
Just a few days ago I received an email from a Dexter owner who has a small herd, his favorite cow being a small dwarf carrier. His herd was attacked by what he believes to be a couple of roaming dogs ( because neighbors had seen these dogs and had livestock problems from them as well). The little dwarf had a young baby and those horns fended off the brutal attack and kept her baby safe. Her ears were so badly biten and shredded that the vet who was called had to remove both her ears. It is painful to imagine the outcome had she not had horns.
Judy
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Post by wvdexters on May 26, 2014 2:43:49 GMT
You know we were just discussing this topic last night. Horns and protection.
Living back in the ridges, surrounded by woods and plenty of predators; safety is a big concern for us. Bear, coyote, roaming dogs are all around our little herd. You watch over them the best you can but the reality is that the best protection our little calves have are their mothers.
Hopefully that cow will make a full recovery and the dogs are ..... well, dealt with. If you ask me she is a truly great little cow and one I would not part with even if she looks a bit rough now. A real keeper
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2014 0:02:55 GMT
this spring when the weather was cold and rainy I had a couple of horned girls with young calves. I locked in the barn for 2 days until the weather cleared. When I let one out one of 2 polled girls we have went after her and would not let up. Unlike when the horned girls push each other. this polled heifer just kept ramming her in the shoulder and neck. When the horned girl attempted to get away the polled gave chase until she got her cornered and started in. She even got her down a few times and still did not let up. I had a whip and beat that polled girl with everything I had but she would not stop. I finally got them separated. after she calmed I let the other one out and she started in on that one the same way.
This polled girl is one of our tamest girls. I milk her everyday but she wants to be boss cow and she is not far from it.
This is not typical behavior for her just wanted to point out that a polled cow can be more aggressive and dangerous than a horned one.
I have never seen horned ones fight like this ramming the way she was.
Don't worry Judy Caitlin and tully were out of breath with their tung hanging out but otherwise did not get injured.
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Post by bffarms1 on Jun 30, 2014 13:33:59 GMT
I too have been to visit Someday Maybe Farms several times along with our partners in the farm. I find the setup to be amazing, as a matter of fact we are working towards a setup along the same lines as her pack barn (on a smaller scale of course). On our initial visit to the farm Shaun spent hours with us. Since then we have been back to visit the farm several times, and even purchased our starter breeding stock from her. She has become something of a mentor to us, I know in an emergency I can call her or anyone else in her operation and they will help in anyway they can.
On a side note....I had some reservations about having horned animals. I was concerned with how they would treat each other, and also the possibility of a family member getting hurt. After watching Shaun's animals interact with each other and also with her most of my concerns and nerves were settled. All of us now love our horned Dexter's, and we know with all of the predators out there that our babies will be well protected.
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