This Sustainable House

Posts Tagged ‘dexter’

In an earlier post I mentioned that I had created a pair of ‘sacrificial paddocks’ for the cattle. Well recently the cattle have been moved out of these paddocks, and one has been sown to a spring pasture mix (comprised of forage brassica, plantain and clover). This video highlights how the paddocks were sown, without the use of any mechanical apparatus apart from a rake, and how they are growing.

And they said it couldn’t be done…

The 'Gang' in their new Paddock

In an earlier video post I talked about the paddock clearing operation in order to create a new 0.5 acre paddock at TSH. Well the job has been done, due in no small part to a wonderful WWOOFer Laetitia and the help of a particularly tenacious neighbour.

As you can see from the photo on the right, the cattle have taken to their new homes like ducks to water, though it is obvious that I need to have a few more ‘lessons’ with the tape measure… those posts were supposed to fit a 14′ gate between them!

Anyhow, the paddock really is quite wonderful and will, I’m sure, be a grand new home for our small herd. Must be like a holiday for them…

The next step is to prepare the adjoining 0.5 acre paddock, followed by the lane way to the diary shed (also to be built). We then have two additional areas to clear to set this ‘complex’ up. Anyone have any excess energy?

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Last night nature did it’s best to remind me just how incredible it is… a calf was born.

Fryderyk was born a little after 9.30pm on the 23rd August to Dalila (Dam) and Eminance T Baxter (Sire). Baxter is a bull owned by Eminance Dexter’s, and Dalila was ‘covered’ prior to joining me at TSH. Little Freddy, he is still in ‘short trousers’, is a beautiful black calf who seems to be quite happy to be out and about, exploring a new world.

In fact, he might be a little too adventurous, managing to squeeze out of the original paddock in the dead of the night leaving a very frantic Mum behind. I was awoken, about 12.30ish, to a bellowing that could only foretell doom. When I arrived at the paddock Dalila was beside herself, and there was no sign of Freddy at all. I later found him in another paddock quite scared and confused. As a result he spent the evening inside where I could keep an eye on him.

However this morning I lined a paddock with some 40mm chicken wire, about 100m worth, and popped both Fryderyk and Dalila in there. When I left for work Fryderyk was ‘dead to the world’ after filling his belly with milk, and Dalila was contentedly chewing the cud.

I think he’ll be a fantastic addition to the household.

Fryderyk - at approx 2 weeks old.

Building a sustainable property involves more than just plants, it also includes technologies and animals. At the moment TSH has a number of different animal species with the two most ‘useful’ being chickens and cattle. Dexter cattle actually. And it is these beautiful creatures that this post would like to introduce. Please say ‘hi’ to Congo and Dalila.

Congo and Dalila joined TSH approx 8 weeks ago and are settling in fine. Dexter Cattle were chosen, as a breed, as they are a miniature breed of cattle which are dual purpose, ie good for both meat and milk. Being a smaller breed they are ideal for a small block with more individuals per tonne of animal. They also have a beautiful temperament.

Both are pure-bred animals registered with the Dexter Cattle Association Incorporated. Congo is a ‘short’ bull, and Dalila is a ‘long’ heifer… she is also in-calf. Keep an eye out for more on these beautiful creatures and on our arrival… he/she is due in August.