yes I drink raw milk but shhhhhhhh

One of the reasons that cows have dangerous levels of ecoli and often the "bad' strains is because the commercial dairy and meat producers are feeding feed that has a additives which causes this.

Bovatec is a frightening thing. If eaten by other animals that are not ruminants, it is often fatal. Horses, birds, dogs and many others can die or become paralized.

It is my understanding that this toxin is intended to kill off part of the natural intestinal flora in the cows dig. tract and allow or introduce different strains that enable the cow to digest better things like straw, grain husks and other stuff they are not meant to eat.

Google bovatec and sled dogs to read a horrifying story of what happend when a batch of dog feed had this stuff added by accident.

 

gosh got pretty busy on the farm these last few days so just getting back to this...

Hey Dana I would love to find out where you got the

That is so kewl

Also on our chickens on that question we give them regular chicken feed from the store, mostly a lot of vitamins in it but it does have some grain products, they also have local corn and they eat grass, bugs, pecans & garden stuff.

I dont think they could live too much on the grass and bugs alone without getting really skinny plus the egg production would go down a lot cause they are saving their energy. Not saying they can't survive I have seen a lot of neighbors who dont take care of their chickens and they run wild around but they look really small and thin to me compared to my plump chickens.

If you dont want to give them any feed I would suggest at least veggie garden scraps along with the grass and bugs.

Sam

 

I'll see if I can find the report on the ecoli. I have to work on my "benefits of grass-fed" sheet and put it in english for people

We do the same with our layers - we have about 300 and they get 50lbs of feed a day during the spring/summer/fall.... then we will lower the numbers of chickens over the winter to conserve on feed cost. The do free range and get exercise that way - they also get their extra feed that way. Love bug season

 

I know this may sound like a dumb question for you that live on a farm, but that's not me. So if you only want your cows eating grass, what do you feed them in the winter? Is there enough grass?

 

My grandfather always gave his cows hay (those big rolled bales placed sporatically around the pasture) in the winter. It seems like I do remember some type of feed though.

My g-dad also had a jersey cow for a while. My g'parents lived next door, so while he had that cow, all we drank was raw milk. He also had his pigs slaughtered for meat.

 

I dont have a cow I just have sheep and one goat I worry about that I give them costal hay and alfalfa hay with local corn when there is no grass. Their is supplement blocks too you can give them for both sheep and cows.

Oh and on the goat milk discussion a bit ago I do have a goat I milk but I really dont like the taste of the milk to much, so instead I make cheese with it, sometimes if a mom sheep rejects a lamb we will use that milk. I want to make soap someday too but dont seem to have the time yet.

I can taste the difference between raw cow and raw goat milk, Some people say they can't but I can even when its clean and cold. I can better digest the goat milk a lot better then the cow.


Hey Dana love your farm site its soooo kewl. I need to show my hubby it. Since your in VA have you gone to Joel Salatins place? We hope to go there one year. I know what you mean about putting it to English....I have a lot of people ask me what "pasture raised means" I like the words "Grass Fed" people understand that a lot better.

 

Our cows aren't here during the winter - but all our grass-fed animals (sheep) are fed hay - we have a field that this year we will do 2 cuttings from this year.

Actually Joel is speaking to our 4-H poultry club this coming Friday. I'm excited about it.

There is a difference between grass-fed and pasture-raised so I need to tell people that (pasture raised means they are fed some grain but are allowed out on pasture - like our pigs) It can get SO confusing

 

That is confusing -We dont give our goats or sheep any grain yet I call it pasture raising. Maybe its a Texas thing hahaha. For all I know my husband is calling it grass fed too, he is more into this then I am I must confess.

Joel is coming to see you WOW! That is so exciting! Your so lucky! Let me know what he says on the grass fed Pasture thing difference. I havent read his books in eons so maybe its time to read up again.

Sam

 

I got the difference from my wonderful sarcastic extension agent I think it's just one of those things that I have set to make it a difference. I would say your sheep and goats are grass-fed..... set a difference and others may follow! Personally I seem to mess with everyone around here because of the way I do things - but it's my farm and I don't have huge vet bills because my animals are healthy naturally.