How to Care for Cows on a Homestead

In general, taking care of cows on a homestead is like caring for a large dog. You need food, water, shelter, and basic veterinary needs. However, the amount and type of food, access to fresh water, and having a fenced in area will demand extra care for cows.

How much space does one cow need?

Cows need a lot of space to be successful. On average, one acre per cow of good pasture will sustain the animal. With a cow and her calf, 2 acres are needed, for any additional animals, more acreage will be required. For instance, if you have a cow, her calf, and a bull you will need 3 acres. A good pasture means thick grass for grazing, or land good for foraging and grazing. A one-acre lot with a lot of trees or no grass would not suit a cow very well.

Can I have a cow in my backyard?

In general, check with your local city ordinance on the animals you can keep in your backyard. Cows and large livestock need space to graze and roam around, for a small backyard, cows would not do well.

When taking care of cows, be aware they can also be dirty, smelly, and loud. These issues may deter the city from approving cattle in neighborhood like settings.

As much fun as having a cow in your backyard could be, having the space and ability to sustain the animal is very necessary. Keeping an animal in too small of space can be considered abuse and may be reported by local authorities or neighbors.

How to Transport Your Cattle

To transport cattle from one place to the next, use a trailer or hauling service. Cattle trailers can cost thousands of dollars and are an investment. If not transporting cattle regularly, look into local hauling services. Hauling services have fees attached, but the service is far less expensive that purchasing a trailer.

Basic shelter from the elements

A basic shelter for cattle can be 3 walls and a roof. In general, building costs can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands depending on size and materials.

When taking care of cows, they typically only need shelter in the immense heat of summer or to protect them from heavy wind or snow.

Specialty Equipment

If raising multiple head of cattle, having a coral or large pin to funnel cattle is important. This coral should funnel into a path, and then to a chute with a head gate. In a cattle chute, medication, ear tagging, branding, and other medical procedures can occur.

On a small scale homestead, a corral and chute may not be necessary. For instance, if the cattle are docile and able to stand in a space to be milked or treated medically, a special pin is not needed.

What about fencing?

Cows need to be fenced in on the property due to their ability to roam around. Cattle will walk fence lines for many reasons. Some reasons include searching for more food or for finding more cows.

Barbed wire, and electric tensile fencing are the most common materials. You can visit our article about Fencing for Animals to find out more.

Do Cows do well in All Weather?

Cattle can tolerate extreme hot weather, and extreme cold weather. However, shelter, and proper nutrition will aid in the cattle’s survival. These animals are incredibly hardy and able to survive storms and other natural disasters.

How much food will I need to take care of one cow?

Cows will eat about 2-3% of their body weight in a single day. An average female cow is about 1600lbs, average bull is 2400lbs. Therefore, expect about 48 to 72 pounds of food per animal.

How much does the food cost?

When taking care of cows, if you do not have the pasture needed to sustain the animal, you can provide hay and other grains to feed your cow.

Hay – hay comes in large round bales and smaller square bales. There is also several varieties of hay. Costal is the most common good quality hay used and can range from $50 to $100 per large round bale and square bales from $40 to 90$. Hay is available in different seasons and may cost more depending on the farming yields.

Cattle Cubes – cattle cubes are typically 20% protein feed cubes that can be used to supplement their diet and help when there is low grass. The cost of cattle cubes can range from $10 to $20 based on brand.

Salt and Mineral Blocks – salt and mineral blocks are necessary for cattle much like a multivitamin is needed for humans. The overall health of cattle can be improved with a salt or mineral block, this can increase reproduction and healthy digestion. These blocks can cost around $7 to $8.

How much water do I need for one cow?

On average, one gallon of water per 100lbs for a non-lactating cow, and 2 gallons for lactating, is needed to sufficiently hydrate a cow.

Some homesteads use a rainwater collection system that can sustain their cattle. However, in areas where rainfall is few and far between, other methods of having water is necessary. If your land has a water source (pond, river, creek) this can keep a cow hydrated as well.

How many cows should I have on my homestead?

Cattle are herd animals and like to be with other cows; however, a single cow for a small homestead is sufficient. If limited on space, only having one cow will still benefit a homestead. If not limited on space, purchasing several cattle will become an investment and calves will be sold for beef. Some cattle herds on large properties can reach in the thousands.

On a homestead with only one cow, be sure to have other animals for the cow to be around, as they are happiest with another of their kind.

Common Homestead Breeds

For Milk:

Brown Swiss – a docile and smaller breed with enough butterfat in their milk to make cheese and butter.
The Friesian Holstein – the most common dairy cow, highest producer at 9 gallons of milk a day
The Jersey – not as high producing as Holstein, but contains high butterfat in their milk at 5%
Dexter – very small breed good for beef and milk

For Beef:

Angus – red or black in color, known for their marbled meat and good maternal instincts
Red Poll – similar to angus, not as well known
Hereford – large, heavy boned animals known for their white faces and docile nature

What Kind of Cattle

Calf – a baby cow typically under a year old. Female is called a heifer (has not had a calf of her own) and a male is called a bull calf. Male calves that are castrated are called steers.

Cow – a female heifer that has had a calf is then labeled as a cow. (Tip: When purchasing a cow, be sure to ask if she is a first-time mother or has lain many calves. Cows over 10 years old may not be able to bare any more calves).

Bull – a mature male that provides the ability to keep cows bred. For most small operations, one bull can keep up to 20 cows bred.

Polled vs Not Polled

Polled simply means the horns have been removed, or genetically the cattle do not have horns. Cattle that are not polled have horns.

Horns can cause issues as they are used for defense and protection. These weapons may be harmful to your or other cows. However, they are important if the cattle are trying to scare off predators.

Dehorning may be considered a cruel or inhumane practice but may be necessary to protect other animals and yourself. Horns can be removed as “buds” when cattle are young, by using an electric dehorner.

Breeding

When taking care of cows on a homestead, breeding will be needed to produce milk, or produce more livestock. Breeding can be accomplished through artificial insemination from a veterinarian, or by having a bull in your herd. On average, a cow should have one calf per year.

If a female calf, or heifer, is pregnant with her first calf, make sure to keep a close eye on her. Not all cows birth well, and pregnancies can go wrong just like in human births. Be sure to consult a veterinarian if you are concerned for you cow’s wellbeing.

What do I do with the calf?

After a cow has given birth, the calf may be kept with the mother or separated. For beef cattle, the calf can be left with the mother to graze at pasture until it is ready for sale.

For dairy cattle, the calf is usually separated at birth to use the milk from the mother from human consumption. However, this is a cruel practice and can be avoided. Leave the calf with the mother so it can get the colostrum (first milk) for immunity. Then, continue to let the calf drink for about a week. After that, your family can begin milking the cow once a day. Once the calf is weaned, continue milking the cow until she begins to dry up, this is when she will need to be bred again.

Poop and Manure

The best rule of thumb when it comes to poop, is the bigger the animal the more poop there will be.

One cow on average will produce about 65lbs of manure per day. That is a lot of feces. For instance, 65lbs is about the weight of the average lawn mower.

With all of that manure, there is a need to use it or it will pile up. Manure can be used in compost and is great as a fertilizer, just be prepared for the smell.

Predators and Cows

When taking care of cows, predators are something to look for. Cows do not have many predators other than coyotes, large dogs, wolves, and bears. These animals work best in herds and will protect themselves with a herd mentality. Cattle will run as a group if they feel threatened. Calves are laid down in tall grass and brush for added protection while mother grazes.

If you are concerned with the wildlife in your area, build a strong fence to protect your animals.

Grooming

Like horses, cows can be groomed with a brush. Cattle are not always docile and friendly, and grooming will be a practice to teach from birth. Grooming is not necessary for cattle, but may improve their coat, and can brush off parasites living on the skin. Some farmers believe that brushing and grooming their cattle alleviates stress from the cattle.

How long will my cattle live?

The average lifespan for cattle is 18 to 22 years; however, they can live as long as 30 years in the right conditions. Cattle raised for beef do not live a full lifespan as they are sold as yearlings for slaughter. For instance, these cattle typically live 1 to 3 years.

Common diseases in cattle

Disease can be common in cattle that are not well maintained. Common diseases are:

Bloat – rapid fermentation of legume plants that produce high levels of gas, the gas cannot be eliminated fast enough. Death can occur.
Grass Tetany – low levels of minerals in pastures and forages. Death can occur
Hardware Disease – ingestion of metal, glass, or other hardware. Can puncture intestines
Foot Rot – infection of the foot if cuts, bruises, or puncture wounds occur.
Mastitis – an infection of blocked milk ducts in the udder.

You can reference https://www.thecattlesite.com/diseaseinfo/ for more diseases.

Vet and Medical Needs

Like most homestead animals, cattle will need to be vaccinated and dewormed. When taking care of cows, common medical equipment needed for cattle include liquid bandage spray, syringes and needles, tags and tagging guns, drench guns or syringes for administering dewormer. In addition, other equipment may include branding irons, and castrating tools.

Fly Control

Cattle are prone to flies, especially in summertime. Using dewormer, and fly repellents are beneficial to the health of cattle. Ivermectin is commonly used and applied through drench guns on the backs of cattle. Other methods of fly control include repellent ear tags that can be changed regularly.

Ear Tagging and Branding

Use of ear tags and branding are used in cattle to help identify them and for breeding purposes. For instance, tags are applied with a tagging gun, much like a human gets their ears pierced. Branding is applied on hips or shoulders of cattle by keeping a iron symbol in fire and burning the hair and skin of the animal. This practice is considered cruel and inhumane in some circles.

Vital Signs

Temperature 100F to 103F or 38C
Pulse 40 to 80 beats per minute
Resting Respiration 10 to 30 breaths per minute