I have found in rescue...

[mrose_s]

Two 5 week old Jersey calves grabbed before they went to be turned into veal.
I've forever and ever wanted a Jersey poddy calf and I was only half looking because although we've been renting 10 acres for a few years, Mum is now looking at buying a property so we'll have more stability and will be able to collect some livestock pets without worrying about what would happen if we had to move into town again.

Thing is, we probably won't be moving to said new property permanently until late this year/early next year.

Mum used to raise a lot of poddy calves when she was younger but she's said if I go into this, I have to take most of the responsibility for now. (eventually when I move out they will stay with Mum)
so it will be a bit of a steep learning curve.

Anyway, thoughts? Suggestions? Advice? Rescources?

Henrietta and Reginald

 

[JoLeigh]

They are to cute my Aunt and cousin used to raise some. I say if you have the land and the time go for it.

 

[Barb04]

They are both so cute. I don't know anything about raising calves, but I hope you're able to give them both a home.

 

[SaraB]

I have no advice, but those are the most adorable calves ever!

 

[CatStina]

They are adorable! If you have the time to put into it and your mom is ok keeping them when you move, I say go for it!! And take lots of pictures and post them here!!

 

[Xandra]

Well, these guys are already in rescue. Personally, I think I would try to rescue directly, i.e., buy "in danger" calves myself. I've read in some places that dairies give away newborn bull calves (or sell for dirt cheap). Sounds like the papers are signed on your new place... as long as there is that security and you currently have the space I wouldn't worry about getting them now.

So basically, IMO if you're happy with the source and the calves, I think you should go with it

 

[Dekka]

What is a poddy calf?

 

[JoLeigh]

A Poddy Calf is an "orphan" calf. That lost its mother generally before weaning.

 

[Dekka]

interesting! with all my experience around farms I have never heard that term.

 

[Dakotah]

I have no advice, but those are the most adorable calves ever!

This!

 

[Romy]

If they're female I'd go for it. I don't have any experience with Jersey steers, but the bulls are h-e double toothpicks. It doesn't matter how much love and attention you give them, they will kill you. I'm not even joking. They're commonly infused into rodeo bull lines to bump up the feistiness but they never use pure jerseys because it's too dangerous for the cowboys.

The cows are totally dolls though. My aunt had two in her dairy and we rode them around the pasture. lol. Rosie was also super careful not to bump us kids with her horns. Just really nice animals, really gentle animals. It's weird there's such a difference in behavior between genders in that breed, but there you go.

 

[Fran101]

I raised a jersey calf as part of my animal science bachelors and she was such a sweet heart. I would take one in a heart beat if I could!! I clicker trained her and she loved honey!

 

[BlackPuppy]

Oh how sweet!

 

[milos_mommy]

knowing nothing about cows or your situation really, GET THEM AND POST 100 PICTURES A SECOND

 

[RedHotDobe]

Yes yes yes. I've wanted a Jersey calf since I was little, lol.

 

[mrose_s]

I think I'll have to agree with Xanda on this one. This is a pretty big dairy area so I could no doubt pull one that isn't already safe when timing is better. Plus we know where we want to source them from so we can actively go find some that aren't already safe.

Romy - I've heard about dairy bulls being PITA. I don't really need a pet bull anyway - chop chop.

Hopefully the house we are looking at will come off and if it does we have some maintenance to do before we move up their permanently. (Building house yards, etc) and tying off loose ends here so we can hopefully work mostly from home.

Once we have the security of the place we'll be letting ourselves collect a myriad of new animals to help eat grass so rescue calves and chookies will probably be high on the list and god knows theres no shortage of them around here.

 

[sillysally]

One advantage of getting them through a rescue would be (hopefully) continued support while you raise them. You definitely need to adopt them and post many, many pictures.