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I have a Highland cow in with them and she holds her own. Don't know if I'd put anything that didn't have horns in with them. I will be running my Icelandics with them in the Spring, and possibly trying a weaner pig to see if they co-graze well. I know I've heard of people using yaks as herd guardians for smaller stock- when they are bonded with the other species from a young age, they are awesome protectors. Any other herd animal friend is better than a herd animal being alone in my book.
The yaks are highly anti-canine, I think it's in their DNA, so any dogs are a no-go for them. I've seen my bull pick up and throw my 145 lb guardian dog. That's when I took him out of the yak pen. I wouldn't put a yak who was raised just with yaks in with horses, maybe other cattle that are larger if they're polled.
I milk the Highland. It's lower quantity, higher fat milk than the typical milking breeds. The yak milk is even richer, you're right on that! It's not pink like some people think, though. I haven't milked a dairy cow, just dairy goats. I much prefer the cows, though! Of course, I'm spoiled because I can milk Barbie in the field, she doesn't require a stanchion or anything.
The yaks in captivity can reach their late 20's into their 30's if properly cared for. Usually, though, when they stop producing calves, they're just harvested for meat and hide. I have mountain lions, bears, wolves, and coyotes here. None of them go anywhere near the yaks. The horns are very menacing to predators. We do have some stray dogs that come up, but I'm just waiting for one to get into that pen... it will be a show for sure!
They're easy calvers because the calves are only around 35 lbs when born, never heard of anyone having to assist with a birth of a yak
That's okay
The yaks are highly anti-canine, I think it's in their DNA, so any dogs are a no-go for them. I've seen my bull pick up and throw my 145 lb guardian dog. That's when I took him out of the yak pen. I wouldn't put a yak who was raised just with yaks in with horses, maybe other cattle that are larger if they're polled.
I milk the Highland. It's lower quantity, higher fat milk than the typical milking breeds. The yak milk is even richer, you're right on that! It's not pink like some people think, though. I haven't milked a dairy cow, just dairy goats. I much prefer the cows, though! Of course, I'm spoiled because I can milk Barbie in the field, she doesn't require a stanchion or anything.
The yaks in captivity can reach their late 20's into their 30's if properly cared for. Usually, though, when they stop producing calves, they're just harvested for meat and hide. I have mountain lions, bears, wolves, and coyotes here. None of them go anywhere near the yaks. The horns are very menacing to predators. We do have some stray dogs that come up, but I'm just waiting for one to get into that pen... it will be a show for sure!
They're easy calvers because the calves are only around 35 lbs when born, never heard of anyone having to assist with a birth of a yak
That's okay
