Small Breeds in Ontario?

RickyTheKnife

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I'm wondering what options there are for getting small breed (such as Dexter or Lowline) beef cattle in Ontario, so far my internet searches haven't turned up a whole lot of good stuff. Anyone got anything for me?
 

TAH

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I am having the same issue.

I either will do Dexter or Jersey Dexter crosses. We will see.
 

cjc

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If you don't know someone who is a cow buyer that could find and sell you one you could go to auction or use something like kijiij. I am in BC and people will post on kijiij a lot for livestock over craigslist. There are a ton of posts for Dexters when I search.

http://www.kijiji.ca/b-ontario/dexter-cow/k0l9004

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-livestock/ba...lf/1186893963?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-livestock/be...le/1186785575?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

If you don't want to go to auction yourself and buy just call your local auction and see if you can get a regulars number. There are usually guys that go to auction weekly and do the hauling for everyone that buys. Those guys will likely find you one for the haul fee. If you haven't gone to auction before or ever bought cattle its probably better you get one of those guys to buy for you unless you are comfortable knowing what good and bad signs are when they run the cattle through.

What's your reason for wanting a Dexter?
 
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RickyTheKnife

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If you don't know someone who is a cow buyer that could find and sell you one you could go to auction or use something like kijiij. I am in BC and people will post on kijiij a lot for livestock over craigslist. There are a ton of posts for Dexters when I search.

http://www.kijiji.ca/b-ontario/dexter-cow/k0l9004

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-livestock/ba...lf/1186893963?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-livestock/be...le/1186785575?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

If you don't want to go to auction yourself and buy just call your local auction and see if you can get a regulars number. There are usually guys that go to auction weekly and do the hauling for everyone that buys. Those guys will likely find you one for the haul fee. If you haven't gone to auction before or ever bought cattle its probably better you get one of those guys to buy for you unless you are comfortable knowing what good and bad signs are when they run the cattle through.

What's your reason for wanting a Dexter?

I want a Dexter breed or other small breeds because I prefer smaller animals when handling, and because it makes sense for me considering I want something easier on the land and better for less land.
 

cjc

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You shouldn't have a hard time finding a Dexter in your area but another option would be to get a quiet cow. Halter broke cows will be easier to handle and it's all I buy now since I feel the same way and want cows that are easy to manage. I would suggest you get at least 2 of whatever you decide on. If I leave a cow alone they start to chew the fences and just get rebellious. Cows like other animals like to be with other cows.
 

NH homesteader

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For those of us who do our own butchering without as much mechanical lifting ability (tractor for some of the process at least) , small breed cows are pretty much all that's manageable! There are a bunch of Dexters near me right now but that doesn't help you much! They are pretty expensive, it seems.

Edited to ads: we don't have cows... I'm just saying if we ever do, it'll be Dexters. They're also so darn cute! Yeah... Good reason right? :lol:
 

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