All cows are assumed to be fully grown by the time they are three years old. To be considered a miniature cow, they must measure less than 48 inches in height. Breeders have developed over 25 breeds of miniature cows, and some have set height standards. These cows make wonderful additions to your family, but before you buy one, there are some things you need to know.
1- Two Categories of Miniature Cows
While there are over 25 individual breeds of miniature cows, you can divide them into two large categories. The first category is those cows that are grown for meat. These breeds include the miniature belted Galloway, miniature Herford, and lowlines. The second category is those raised for their milk. A miniature cow grown for its meat will produce about 300 pounds of beef annually. The second board category is milk cows. These breeds include Dexters, miniature Jerseys, and miniature Zebu. Miniature dairy cows often produce up to one gallon of milk per day. The milk from miniature dairy cows is often very high in butter fat.
2- Space Requirements
Cattle are herd animals. Therefore, buying two or three is better than trying to keep a single miniature cow. While there are some variations depending on the quality of grassland available, you should allow at least 0.5 acres per cow.
3- Feed Requirements
Miniature cattle are very efficient eaters. They will spend much of their day grazing if they have the opportunity. Therefore, when grass is plentiful, you may not have to feed them regularly. When it is scarce, you should feed them cattle feed daily. Generally, they will eat 3% of their body weight in food daily. Most are 25% more efficient in feed conversion than their larger counterparts. One thing you must always provide for your miniature cattle is fresh water.
4- Life Span
The life span of a miniature cow varies widely from about 12 years to 25 years, depending on the breed. For example, miniature Herford cattle often live to be about 12 years old, while miniature Zebu cattle can live to be over 30 years old. Many breeds of miniature cows can reproduce yearly into their senior years.
5- Temperament
Most miniature cows are very docile, so they often make a great addition to families. Children can raise them as pets and learn to take responsibility for caring for a living creature. They also work well in petting zoos, as they are not as intimidating to get up close to as their larger counterparts. Many people have succeeded in opening businesses where the public can interact with miniature cattle.
Miniature cattle are smaller versions of breeds that you may be used to seeing. They convert feed into energy to grow very efficiently. Most have a gentle deposition, making them outstanding choices for tourism. They also make terrific options as family pets. Consider whether you want a meat or dairy miniature cow today, as you need far less room to raise your meat and get raw milk than with larger breeds.