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Finelittlefarm
5 Posts
Cristy
Dove Creek
CO
USA
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 Posted - Jun 09 2017 : 4:47:26 PM
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Hi all! My name is Cristy Jenkins and I have been admiring Jerseys for some time now. I live in Dove Creek, Colorado with my husband and two beautiful little boys. We have a herd of 6 Dexter cows - and started with a heifer named Honey that eventually became my milk cow. I love the disposition of Dexters but we never really had enough milk for making cheese, ice cream etc...and I daydreamed about a beautiful little Jersey cow in my pasture.
Last year - my dream came true and a friend sold me her pregnant Jersey. She has been a wonderful mother and gives more rich creamy milk than I ever could have imagined! More than I know what to do with, to tell the truth! We struggled a but at first as she kicked when I tried to milk her and I didn't want to resort to tying her up and restraining her with various devices. Another friend advised sticking to the same routine every day and milking regardless of her kicking, just to ignore it, praise her when she stands quietly, and never stop a milking session when she is dancing around.
It was tough and frustrating but I stuck with it and after a week she stood calmly, just like that, as if she had never kicked at all! Cows are such remarkable creatures. Some would say that their intelligence is below that of other creatures but I find that they have huge capacity for emotional intelligence - and they like routines!
I am so pleased to join this group and learn more about experiences and adventures that others have had with their bovine friends!
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txbikergirl
3197 Posts
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Posted - Jun 09 2017 : 6:08:07 PM
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welcome cristy and your fine little farm ;> we all love our jersey girls and the lush creamy milk they give us daily. i love the story of figuring out your girl, i have had to do that with my cows too - figuring out how to communicate and what they are telling me. they are so smart! i equate them with dogs as i find they are so trainable, and will learn both hand commands and verbal commands.
i am still not accomplishing all the hard cheeses i wish to crank out weekly, but all of the other dairy products are going so well that it really makes me feel as if i am doing something amazing.
good to see you around here. post photos of your cows as we LOVE photos around here! |
_(199x300)_(66x100).jpg?v 93697001) Firefly Hollow Farm , our little farmstead. Farmgirl living in the green piney woods of East Texas on 23 acres with a few jerseys, too many chickens, a pair of pugs and my Texan hubby (aka "lover boy") |
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NellieBelle
11217 Posts
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Posted - Jun 09 2017 : 7:01:31 PM
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| Welcome Cristy! Love the story of your Jersey cow come true and your patience and love in letting her adjust to milking. They are remarkable creatures. So thrilled to meet yet another member on HJO and your family, dreams, and cows. Like Cindy mentioned above. We love to see photos of your cows. |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Jun 09 2017 : 9:45:19 PM
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A very quick hello from Northern Idaho! Sounds like you have some great experiences with your first Jersey and have learned to communicate with her... letting her know what you expect and then respecting her as well.
I love this group and the true care and concern expressed to one another. It goes beyond our dearly loved cows!
Please share more when you have a spare moment and we do enjoy seeing each others' cows! |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Jun 10 2017 : 05:39:48 AM
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Ditto, ditto and then some. Welcome Cristy. So very pleased to make your acquaintance and have you join in. And the name of your sweet Jersey girl is ?????
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MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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Finelittlefarm
5 Posts
Cristy
Dove Creek
CO
USA
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Posted - Jun 11 2017 : 7:48:56 PM
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This is Millie and her bull calf! Thank you for your warm welcome everyone! |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Jun 11 2017 : 7:51:55 PM
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| What a beautiful picturesque Jersey, just like in the original drawings of Jerseys. Stunning cow. Very classic. Thank you! What is the little guy's name? |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Jun 12 2017 : 06:03:19 AM
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| Millie looks beautiful! What a pretty cow with a fine calf too! Thanks to sharing a photo of them. |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
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NellieBelle
11217 Posts
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Posted - Jun 12 2017 : 06:59:29 AM
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| Love the looks of Millie and her little calf, and beautiful backdrop of blue skies. Stunning. Thanks for posting the photos Cristy! |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
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Boots&Flipflops
499 Posts
Darla
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Posted - Jun 12 2017 : 2:28:27 PM
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Hi Cristy, So nice to me you. I am one of the newer members here on HJO and although I am cow-less at the time, I love all the information and knowledge that all these wonderful people share. I chime in on topics as I have had cows in the past and presently raise sheep. There is a lot that can go hand in hand for Ruminants in general. Dexters are on my wish list as well.
That cow of yours is "Absolutely Stunning" and the little bull knows he's just to stinkin' cute!
Best Wishes to you, and enjoy your cows, where ever it may lead.
Sincerely, Darla |
To Succeed In This Life You Need Three Things: A Backbone, A Wish Bone and a Funny Bone. As quoted by Reba McEntire |
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txbikergirl
3197 Posts
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Posted - Jun 12 2017 : 3:32:11 PM
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| those bull calfs always have that look, they are so cute. and beautiful milker as well - what a stunning combo. |
Firefly Hollow Farm , our little farmstead. Farmgirl living in the green piney woods of East Texas on 23 acres with a few jerseys, too many chickens, a pair of pugs and my Texan hubby (aka "lover boy") |
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Finelittlefarm
5 Posts
Cristy
Dove Creek
CO
USA
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Posted - Jun 12 2017 : 9:39:52 PM
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Thank you for the compliments! Millie is a pretty cow, or at least I think so, and she is also intelligent and sensitive. Probably why it took me some time to develop a relationship with her and earn her trust.
My children call the bull calf George. Not sure why...?
I have to say I am still on a learning curve with this girl. Dexters are a totally different breed. My Dexter milker, Honey, gives me about a gallon a day of not-too-creamy milk on a diet of hay and grass. And that gallon was plenty for my family! Millie wants to be milked twice a day even though her calf is with her 24/7 and she insists that she requires a grain treat to do so. She also seems to be eating (hay or pasture) all the time. I guess that's the difference with a true dairy breed! |
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Hello from Colorado
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