I’ve decided I’m over getting chickens for my backyard. Sure, eggs would be nice and chickens would be fun, but eggs aren’t THAT expensive to buy at the store or even from the local farm down the street.
What’s really been bothering me lately however is the price of organic milk and cheese. I love that we get our milk delivered right to our door, but it’s costly and it’s not raw, and really I’d like to have raw milk. Also the cheese I buy at Vitamin Cottage or through our local co-op is not exactly cheap either.
So I’ve been doing some research the past few weeks and, while this totally wouldn’t be legal in my city, I’m going to give it a shot and buy a Shetland Cow! It’s like a Shetland Pony, but it’s a cow. The breed is mostly brown with white spots and has a little mop of hair up top. They only grow up to three feet tall and weigh about 200 lbs when full-grown. They also only produce about a quarter as much milk as a full-sized cow, but I figure for our family of four, that will still be plenty. Since they look rather like a large breed of dog, I am pretty sure our neighbors won’t even notice, so I’m not too worried about being turned in to animal control. Oh, and they are great with kids. :)
We will get our Shetland Cow, which Ava has already named “Pony” (because the first time she saw one she didn’t believe us that it was a cow), this weekend. We’re picking it up from a farm about 25 miles from here. Pony is only 3 months old, so still is quite small at this point and can easily fit in the back of our Forester for the drive home. I can’t wait! :)
The best part about owning a Shetland Cow is tricking all of your friends. ;) April Fool’s! :) Did you really think I would buy a cow and give up on chickens that easily? Here’s the really funny part. I honestly thought the idea of a Shetland cow was totally a joke, but apparently (now that I really am looking into it), miniature cows do exist and even Shetland cattle! Apparently, the joke is on ME! Anyway, I’m not getting a mini cow (of any type), but I am long overdue for writing a post to update you all on the chicken happenings in town. It’s finally legal (for 50 permit holders). More on that later. Hope you all have a fun April Fool’s Day! :)
Stumble it!
phyllis says:
rotfl – happy april fool’s day! (i added your post to my april fool’s roundup. why i’m doing it is totally beyond me. my own april fool’s joke was on my fb status and it’s generated a lot of comments!!!)
April 1st, 2009 at 11:05 am
Amber @ Classic Housewife says:
LOL!
I think you need a cow AND chickens. :)
I couldn’t think of any Aprils Fool’s jokes – except to pretend I was pregnant or something, but some of my family members might think that was mean when they found out I wasn’t really. =P
April 1st, 2009 at 11:27 am
Becki says:
Oh my gosh, I thought you were serious! LOL!!! Good one!
April 1st, 2009 at 11:37 am
Christina says:
LOL, that was great! I did believe it at first, as I know there’s such a thing as minature cows. My mom loves cows and used to joke about getting one. :)
April 1st, 2009 at 12:49 pm
JessTrev says:
OK, that was hilarious, mostly cause I thought you were serious and I was all, I wonder if *I* could get away with a mini-moo in my urban neighborhood? Looks like a dog? Hmmmm…
April 1st, 2009 at 12:59 pm
MySeaPod says:
FUNNY! I was totally sold. Thanks for the chuckle.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:10 pm
TW says:
But, I was going to be so excited because I could have convinced Denise to let ME finally get my cow if YOU did.
Damn.
Maybe rethink and get a miniature cow. I am a Jersey fan myself.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Barb says:
You got me! :D
I hope you’re feeling better and that the chicken thing is panning out.
April 1st, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Condo Blues says:
You should get a highland cow instead! They are Scottish so all you have to do is feed a Guiness and you’re set.
April 1st, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Cate says:
Happy April Fool’s Day! i bet that cow would be easier to tip.
Here’s my contribution to the goofy blogosphere today: http://blog.thenatureschild.com/2009/04/fox-to-air-who-can-birth-fastest.html
But I also loved how Whole Foods could make fun of itself today. I want to try the Chianti Gorgonzola popsicles!
:)
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/
April 1st, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Penny says:
Haw haw!
Why stop at a cow?
April 1st, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Anisa says:
That’s great. I wish I had posted this myself! LOL! :) And who knew there were really mini-cows!?!?
The hubby and I always joke that we are getting a cow next. Don’t give up on your chicken fight… it’s so worth it! And the hens are fun and funny!
Have you heard of a cow-share? It works a bit like a CSA, only with a cow, so that the members, who each own a “share” of the cow, can get raw milk. Here’s a link: http://www.islefarms.com/
It’s too expensive for our family, but we keep joking that starting a local urban cow-share will be our next money making opportunity! LOL!
April 1st, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Rivka with a capital A says:
I have to stop reading blogs today.
You totally had me going!!
April 1st, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Niecey says:
You totally got me going. I was thinking, “all the sickness has gotten into her head” lol.
April 1st, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Amber says:
OMG, I was doing SO good today! NO ONE had me fooled and then YOU came along with your cow story….and I totally believed it because it really is right up your alley. Not cool my friend….not cool.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Meredith says:
You got me!
April 1st, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Anastasia says:
Oh boy, I forgot it was April Fool’s and totally believed you were serious until the end!
April 1st, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Beckie says:
hahahhaha! I thought this was so funny! I don’t know you and I thought this chick is CRAZY!
April 1st, 2009 at 8:45 pm
A Mama's Blog says:
You got me! I was wondering if your illness was starting to affect you- you sounded SO serious. Great April Fool’s joke. :-)
April 1st, 2009 at 11:27 pm
chelle says:
haha ha
You had me going there for a moment!
April 2nd, 2009 at 4:29 am
Anonymous says:
You had me fooled too, but I was thinking “how is she going to keep the cow pregnant over and over w/out a male too.” And then “what is she going to do with the baby cows who the mama cow is producing milk for?” Because it’s not like cows just make milk – they’re just like us and make it for their babies. Needless to say, I was relieved to learn the joke was on me!
April 2nd, 2009 at 4:39 am
milkmama says:
Ha! Got me for a little bit. I knew that there are indeed miniature cows, but don’t know anyone who actually has one.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:31 am
lilbet says:
Naughty naughty.
You almost got me, but giving up on the chickens? I didn’t think you’d give up THAT easily!
Why don’t you use Barbara Kingsolver’s recipe for 30 minute mozarella. Cheap, easy and good!
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:32 am
Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com says:
I had no idea that you were planning on chickens and now that I know? I think I am in love. We’ve been talking about milk goats and chickens and saving pennies to build structures to house them, etc, and it’s nice not to feel like a freak! Lol.
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Mike Foster says:
I thought that was funny…until I was told that my shetland carrots were also an April fools joke.
peace,
mike
livelife365
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:45 pm
peppylady says:
Boy you had me until the end.
Raw milk here is very expensive like it gold.
Coffee is on.
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Cat says:
And there was me wondering about a miniature highland cow.
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Ninotchka says:
You totally got me! I’m skimming through my feeds and happened upon yours and was thinking: “IS SHE REALLY BUYING A COW?” ha ha ha Good one!
April 4th, 2009 at 6:40 am
casual friday everyday says:
HAHAHA! Silly girl.
April 4th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Holly says:
You had me the whole way! I was even trying to figure out how to convince my husband that we could have a mini cow.
April 4th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Pages tagged "cow" says:
[...] bookmarks tagged cow Why buy the cow? Here’s why! | Crunchy Domestic … saved by 4 others tmoney2388 bookmarked on 04/05/09 | [...]
April 5th, 2009 at 5:50 am
Margot says:
Check out the books from Sue Weaver on : “Storey’s Guide to Raising Miniature Livestock”, and now the fabulous “The Backyard Goat” — both from Storey Publishing. The city of Seattle recently approved keeping backyard goats — a small Nigerian Dwarf can supply a family with milk and is a wonderful family pet. “Mini Milkers” (Nigerian Dwarfs crossed with larger dairy breeds) are perfect for urban homesteading. I’ve been raising both for years and have kept chickens, too. I can’t recommend doing both highly enough. The experience is so wonderful for children — teaches them where food comes from (though we’re vegetarian and don’t eat the goats or chickens) and fosters compassion and responsibility. I miss those wonderful years now that my two-legged kids are grown… but I still have the critters : )
April 23rd, 2011 at 7:21 pm