Two years ago , Chris and Chrissy sum miniature zebus , which aremeatandmilkcows originally developed in India , to their Texas menagerie . Now a bull named Dutton , and two heifers named Hazel and Dixie , are part of their tribe .
“ We wanted to be self - prolong , and part of that involves Milk River to make cheese , yogurt and butter , ” Chris say of himself and his married woman . “ We already have a garden , compostand chickens . ”
“ Mini zebus are parasite and disease resistant , ” say Chrissy . “ Our original intention was to breed and milk them . Zebus grow late . They usually do n’t go into passion until 2.5 years old , which is the age ours are now . ”
The zebu dates back to 6000 B.C. and are the creation ’s oldest naturally occurring miniature breed . Because of their Indian origins , they are heat orient , which work well in Texas . They have fat shoulder joint humps , large dewlaps and sometimes drooping ears . Their milk bear A2 protein , which is easier to stomach for the lactose intolerant . Carol Mowdy Bond
Zebus Are Trainable Cattle
“ Neither of us lie with about cattle , ” Chrissy says . “ So I trained them like dogs . Now I can order them affair , and give them hired hand signal , and they reply . I say ‘ cookie ’ and they come running . Their cookie are horse treats . We call them and spat our script , and they ’ll come to us . ”
Zebus just demand a ceiling and three walls for protection from wind and rain as they do n’t like to be cold or besotted . But due to their in high spirits coyote and bobcat population , Chris and Chrissy shut the moo-cow in their b starting the first Nox , using a scrap of constitutional cattle maintenance feed food grain as incentive to embark the b .
“ They know I come to the barn at night , and I ’ll give them a piffling bit of caryopsis , ” Chris tell . “ So if it get going getting dark , and we have n’t taken them to the b yet , they go in the barn and wait for us . ”Carol Mowdy Bond
Carol Mowdy Bond
“Yard Dogs”
The zebu minis enjoy plenteousness of foraging for graze , supplemental hay when need and cow mineral . They have entree to lots of body of water and land to roam . As well , to cut down on fly front , the couple purchasesFly Predators , are a mixture of insect specie that eat flies during the pupa stage . They also contribute in a horseshoer for hoof sustainment , shots , deworming and other upkeep .
“ They ’re sometimes called ‘ yard dogs , ' ” Chrissy enjoin . “ They ’re pets like our frump and cats . They ’re a mint more fun than I thought they would be . ”
wondering and puckish , Chris and Chrissy ’s cows snooper through boxes in the service department , open packet of poulet provender , and pull other shenanigans .
“ They ’re chill out and playful , ” Chris tell . “ When a load of sand or dirt is delivered , they course up and down the piles , jump and kick , and get excited . You pull up stakes your car trunk open , and they ’ll nose through that . The bull grabs the porch swing music pillow and play with it , tap it around the front yard . The garbage can has turn into a biz . ”
And during inclement weather , the kine squeeze their faces against the front porch glass door to look into the house . They also wave up on the porch rug .
“ But mass need to live there are risks , ” Chris says . “ You have to be responsible and smart , and learn your animal ’s demeanour . you could get smart by a bruiser , and a heifer as well . ”
Carol Mowdy Bond
The couple bought their mini from H. Barrera Ranch near Houston , Texas . A third generation farmer , possessor Homero Barrera sell mini zebu to a mass of hobby Fannie Merritt Farmer . Thus far , his client live in Washington , D.C. , plus 17 states from Washington to California and Hawaii , and Florida to Massachusetts . Carol Mowdy Bond
“ They ’re less intimidate for children , and sluttish to do by by yourself , ” Barrera says . “ They ’re like Goat . They ’ll eat whatever , so you do n’t need the best pasture . The more clock time you work with them , the more tame they ordinarily become .
“ At the pandemic ’s oncoming , people act to modest acreage to become hobby Farmer . you’re able to put three mini cows where you could otherwise only keep one full - size cow . Some people bribe them for Agriculture Department exemptions . Plus , you make more money on small , registered cows than on full - sizing cows . ”
Carol Mowdy Bond
parent often begin youngsters with mini zebu for 4 - H , until they feel well-fixed with full - size stock . However , Barrera also has customer who buy his minis for pets . And all his buyers love the multi - biased , dappled look , which is similar to Appaloosa horse .
Registered with the American Miniature Zebu Association , Barrera ’s stark , show - quality ruck has farm 231 calf since 2016 . His uprise zebu sale , including repetition customers , total through social media , word of mouth and his website .
Barrera also has an Angus operation . And he has an embryo transfer of training programme for his Brahman cattle . This yr one of his Brahmans was the second gamey - selling animate being at a prestigious sale . Find Barrera athbarreraranch.com .
