tethering a milk cow for grazing

[yodercountrygirl2]

Can you tether a milk cow for grazing? We have about 2acres of land for a cow but its not fenced in, yet.

 

[The Farm]

Yes you can , does the cow lead??? make sure she does not trip out if the rope gets around her legs.
Good Luck!!!

 

[cgmccary]

I have a Dexter cow (Stella). If I tied her out, I would be afraid she would trip on the rope which would be disastrous.

I sometimes let her loose in the back yard when I am outside. I keep an eye on her but find that she stays back there, just wants the grass & behaves. She knows where home is and can be turned in a second to go where you want her to. She knows her name, comes when called, eats out of my hand and is tame. I got her as a heifer when she was 11 months old. Stella was wild as she could be when I got her. It took many months to get her tame. She still has a temper and can be a pain if she does not want to be milked. I never let her win those battles. She rarely kicks me (she can kick side-ways) but will wallop a stranger or kick if upset about something -- this makes finding someone to look after my farm difficult. I let her get to know a new person.

STELLA:

 

[donrae]

I think cows are fine to tether. You can also get some panels or electric portable fencing and use that. Easier to set up water in a fence, when you tether the animal you have to be sure they can reach the water but not tip it over, or get tangled on something where they can't reach it any longer.

 

[learycow]

Electric fence is easier and much SAFER than tethering them. If thee is a way for a cow to hurt or hang herself, she will find it. I know from experience!
It doesnt take much to keep them in, especially if they are already fence trained (it's not something they forget).
Buy some fiberglass or plastic temporary fence posts. They are cheap. I set mine 10-12 feet apart. And run 1 strand, about waist high, of 1/2 inch tape or rope wire. That should be enough to keep her in. As long as she always has food in her pasture area, she won't have any reason to stray outside of it

 

[zazouse]

Whenever i need to stake out out any kind of hoofed animal i run the rope threw about 15 foot of old water hose and tie a knot in the rope to keep it in place, this helps keep them from getting tangled and from getting a rope burn if they do.