Miniature oxen breeds are sized right-hand for modest farms . TheInternational Miniature Cattle Breeder ’s Society and Registryand Registry maintains ruck books for 26 stock , and the Animal Research Foundation registers miniskirt of every strain .
What are Miniature Cattle?
Are today ’s miniatures mirror images of our ascendant ’ small usefulness kine ? Yes … and no . Miniatures with standard - size of it counterparts such as Jerseys , Lowline Angus and Herefords usually are . But other mini breed ( such as Miniature Highlands , Longhorns and some of the International Miniature Cattle Breeders Society and Registry breed ) are modern creations developed by cross minuscule standard - sizing cattle with established pocket-size breeds ( usually Dexters ) .
And the Dexter stands alone . Because of its elfin stature , most kinsfolk consider the Dexter a miniature . However , they ’re a diminutive ancient breed rather than a scale - down modern one .
How marvelous is a mini cow ? That depends .
There are three dissimilar categories of miniature cattle . Measurements are at3 years of age , which is considered maturity . The rough-cut measuring point is from the flat coat to the top of the foot of the tailbone .
1 . Micro:36 in or under
2 . Miniature:361⁄4 to 42 inches
Hatchet Cove Farm/Flickr
3 . Mid - size:421⁄4 to 48 inches
For comparison , full - sizing or “ received ” kine strain put up well over 48 inches .
International Miniature Zebu Association cattle , however , are measured behind their Brahma - case jut and must n’t exceed 42 inches at 3 year of age . The American Hereford Association stipulates that Miniature Herefords must tape 43 inches or smaller ; “ classical miniature ” can be up to 48 in grandiloquent . Lowlines ( Miniature Angus ) may be 42 inch high , as can Dexter cows ; Dexter bull’s eye can be two inch taller . Hatchet Cove Farm / Flickr
Hatchet Cove Farm/Flickr
5 Popular Miniature Cattle Breeds
A handful of miniskirt are more popular than the residue . you could consider them the big five of the miniature cattle world — Dexters , Lowlines , Miniature Herefords , Zebus and Jerseys .
you could register all five with both governance , but each also supports a herd book of its own . Let ’s take a closer feeling at these democratic miniature bovine breeds .
1. Dexter
Dextersare tri - purpose cattle ( kick , Milk River and tipple ) . Today ’s Dexter oxen settle from a ruck of hardy Irish mountain Bos taurus assembled by Mr. Dexter , agent to Lord Hawarden , around 1750 . Dexter roots decipher to the tiny Celtic kine of ancient Eire . By 1845 , when author David Low described and bring up to them by name , they already resemble today ’s Dexter oxen .
Irish fanciers give a Dexter registry in 1887 and an American version followed in 1911 . Yet North American Dexters were ever scarce ; today they ’re include on the American Livestock Breed Conservancy ’s Conservation Priority List , classify as uncommon . ( If you ’d like to help oneself preserve an endangered inheritance livestock breed , regard raising Dexters . They need your help hand . )
Dexters are strikingly small cattle . Most Dexters are colour in spectre of deep ebony to sun - tinged , ruddy - bootleg . Reds and duns are far less plebeian and course from wan red to dark sepia ; reds have pink nose , while dun have brown nose . Black - tipped white horn unremarkably emphasize their small , neat heads , although a personal line of credit of polled ( hornless ) Dexters now exists . There are two types : a longer - legged interlingual rendition ( Kerry type ) and a Dexter with shorter legs .
Cindi Darling/Flickr
Dexters are dual - purpose cattle . Thanks to the breed ’s foraging ability , and its high feed conversion and meat - to - bone ratios , a weed - fed Dexter tip will eat up in 18 to 24 month , dressing out at 50 to 60 per centum live weight . Dexter gripe is fine - textured , tender and luscious . And Dexter cows give 1.5 to 3 Imperial gallon of some 4 percent butterfat milk day by day , at a pace of up to one quart of cream per gal .
Dexters are illustrious for their inviolable paternal instinct , easy calving , cherubic dispositions and length of service . They do , however , occasionally throw nanus “ bulldog ” calves .
2. Lowline
Lowlinesare Miniature Angus cattle developed by theTrangie Agricultural Research Centrein Australia . No “ outside ” descent was used in its macrocosm — they are purebred Angus bred 30 to 60 percent smaller than their received ( Highline ) kin .
Angus beef is appreciate for its heart and quality , and pound - for - pound Lowlines get a mess of it . enthusiast claim Lowlines command one - third as much feed to produce 70 percent of the costa - middle of animals twice their sizing , making Lowlines a legitimate choice for constitutional and gourmet market beef producers .
Sleek Black Angus are traditionally more teachable than other beef breeds . They ’re naturally polled and prolific and are attentive mothers . Lowlines are a red - hot trade good as pets and for purebred plan , and for traverse with received - size of it cattle to meliorate heart and soul caliber . When crossed with Jerseys they give rise the idealistic dual - purpose house cow .
Mini Cows
3. Miniature Hereford
Mini Herefords are another scaled - down purebred breed . Miniatures are registered in the American Hereford Association ruck Quran ; their pedigrees are trackable back more than 100 years .
Miniature Herefords were further acquire during the 1970s at the Point of Rocks Ranch in Fort Davis , Texas . By utilizing certified dwarf - devoid , old - fashioned Hereford genetics , owners developed a profoundly - bodied , shorter - legged reading of today ’s market Hereford .
Miniature Herefords are say to mature 20 percentage faster than criterion . They ’re gentle , they adapt to all climates , they ’re extremely efficient forager , and veterinarians familiar with beef breeds know how to treat them . Miniature Herefords are a first - rate , gentle - charge selection for gastronome and organic beef producers .
ellenm1/Flickr
4. Zebu
“ Zebu ” is another name for Bos indicus — all breeds of Asian crookbacked cattle . Most folks recognize the brawny Brahman , a full - size of it Zebu spring up in North America . The mini size resembles Brahmans with two illustrious twist :
1 . Mini Zebus ’ erect ears do n’t match the Brahman ’s earmark floppy ones .
2 . Mini Zebu kine have a lot less hump .
Both breeds , however , sport short , sleek coats and have knotty , wanton skin . They also have fully operational elbow grease glands . Cindi Darling / Flickr
extremely developed panniculus muscle make it easy for Zebus to tweet away fly . They ’re heat- , disease- and insect - resistant , and they thrive on marginal pasture . And rodeo - pig image notwithstanding , they are easy - going and remarkably intelligent .
Descended from South Indian Nadudana cattle , Miniature Zebus were imported for menagerie display in the 1920s . Today the International Miniature Zebu Association ( organise in 1991 ) heel stock breeder in 38 states , Canada and Puerto Rico . They are among the teeniest of miniature cattle , sometimes brook less than 30 inches measure behind the hump .
5. Jersey
Jerseyswere barely more than today ’s miniature size of it until recently , historically speaking .
The “ bigger is better ” boom at last bear on this ancient dairy farm breed . But enough bantam Jerseys remain to make selectively breeding them back to miniature shape a relatively easy task .
For today ’s smaller family seeking a pocket - size home cow , Miniature Jerseys make in effect sense . They are gentle , prolific and a delectation for the eyes . And their delicious , eminent - butterfat milk is backbreaking to beat .
While Miniature Jersey steers do n’t acquire a freezer full of meat , what they do yield is mighty hunky-dory eat indeed . Therefore , Jerseys have been and are still being used to create young miniature beef and dairy breeds . Belfairs are Jersey and Dexter derivatives , as are IMCBSR brand Belmonts ( both are sometimes called Irish Jerseys ) . Wherever they ’re used , wee Jerseys sweeten the mix .
Other Popular Miniature Cattle Breeds
Although there are now 30 or more realize breed of miniature cattle in theUnited States , also among the most democratic arethe come after …
How to Get Started with Miniature Cattle
Miniature Bos taurus are broadly in short provision . They ’re available — but require to guide a lookup before you grease one’s palms .
Registries happily supply stock breeder lists ; and eastward - mail groups are excellent places to scout for trail . carry prices to depart wide count on breed and bloodlines , timbre , age and sex , and in which part of the country you do your shopping .
A few progressive miniature cattle cultivator market full - blood embryos . The implant success rate runs 50 to 60 per centum , but it ’s a commencement for those with access code to a good reproductive vet and a sense of adventure .
Sometimes you could begin with the kine you have and breed toward purebred miniatures .
While shop mechanic vary from register to registry , the fundamental principle are much the same . For example : You own a full - sizing Jersey cow . Breed her to your choice of miniature bulls . Her calfskin will be immortalize ( not register ) as a half - rakehell miniature . If the calf is a heifer that finally gets bred to another miniature of the same strain , her calf will be recorded as three - quarter miniature . And on and on until your calf is 15¼-16 target stock , at which clip it ’s see purebred .
However , not all organizations allow “ up - education ” ( the Lowline and Hereford registries do not ) and most do n’t record raise - produced purebreds in the same ruck Koran as bona fide full - bloods .
When to Buy Mini Cows
Some stock breeder trade mini cows as very young calf . Other breeders only sell weaned calves , believe babies get a better start in aliveness being give suck by their dams ( mothers ) those first months .
There ’s no doubt young calves are adorable . Just actualise that their care will be more intensive than if you buy an elder , already - ablactate sura . These “ feeding bottle babies ” must be feed milk replacer twice a day until the calf is at least 2 1/2 to 3 months old .
Young baby may also be more vulnerable to malady , although reputable breeders only sell intelligent calf .
Mini Cow Bloodlines
Reputable breeders are careful to use bloodlines that avoid disconfirming influences the dwarfism gene can cause .
“ Chondrodysplasia ( ‘ chondro ’ ) is a nanism gene that can be see in certain breeds of cattle , ” says Ben Yoder , whose Cyrus Ridge Farm raise micro and miniature Scottish Highland Cattle .
“ Some of the world ’s lead expert in the output of miniature cattle have successfully used this cistron , in combination with genetically small cows , to produce some of the small micro cows in world , ” he says . “ Breeders want to do encompassing enquiry and instruction before by rights introducing this factor to their herd . Irresponsible utilization of the gene can cause wellness issues . ”
Feeding Mini Cows
There ’s no such affair as “ miniature cattle ” intellectual nourishment . These small cows exhaust the same hay and feed as full - size cattle , just less of it — typically1⁄3 as much . Mini cows exhaust approximately 2 percent of their trunk weight in grass hay per day .
count on the stock , mature cattle may not involve any grain in increase to hay .
Calves , however , should be fed a 16 to 20 pct protein “ starter feed ” from weaning until about 6 to 8 calendar month of age . This helps ensure they receive adequate nutrition for proper growth . If you ’re raising an animal for carnage , you may opt to fee food grain during the “ finishing ” phase.ellenm1 / Flickr
Fencing & Shelter
Before play oxen home , require what character of fencing they ’ve been in . For example , some may be accustomed to single - strand , galvanising - rope fence and respect that .
For safety ’s sake , you ca n’t go wrong with 48- to 60 - in - tall woven - conducting wire or theatre of operations fence for perimeter fencing . Then use single - strand galvanic fence to portion off interior plane section so you’re able to do rotational grazing and keep your pastures in good condition . You ’ll want at least one small cattle pen with sturdy Mrs. Henry Wood or pipework fence where you could gather cattle when needed , such as for veterinary work .
All livestock need some class of protection so they can get out of direct sun , wind , rain and snow . Depending on your location and the breed of cattle you buy , trees and a wooded area may be enough tax shelter . Or you may call for a run - in shed .
For instance , if you survive in the northeast and design to have Zebus , they ’ll definitely involve a good shelter for protection from extreme atmospheric condition . Whereas Scottish Highlands are extremely hardy and rarely choose to use a manmade shelter unless they ca n’t find other shade .
Do Miniature Cattle Make Good Pets?
Mini cows fans unanimously agree : These piddling bovine make marvelous pets . “ I started with a trio of Miniature Jerseys , ” say K.C. Cowen of Emmett , Idaho , “ but I have disabilities and could n’t milk more than one . So now I have just Margie . She ’s the light of my lifespan and the sweetest cow I ’ve ever owned . Margie is like a big wienerwurst , except she gives the good milk . ”
“ My most recent leverage was a 5 - year - previous Lowline bull from Centenary Ranch in Mission , Texas , ” adds Linda McKay . “ Although I ’m his third possessor , he ’s placid - natured and friendly . ” She chuckles , “ Our Lowlines ‘ help ’ us with our pen construction by carrying tools . They ’re so intelligent and a delight to have around . ”
Petting zoo proprietors and animal therapy doer adore miniature cattle ; 4 - Hers tend to have sex them too . Their modest stature , winsome looks and engross personalities render them less daunting than their full - size cousins , and they are far less bulky to load and tamp down around .
Small Cows Offer Tasty Meat
Minis do liken with fine beef . Gourmet food market and upscale eating house clamor for skimpy and luscious , Gunter Wilhelm Grass - fed miniskirt steaks and roasts .
need for constitutional edibles increases 20 percent per year claims the Organic Products Association . The good intelligence for constitutional beef cultivator : Miniatures commute dear organic provender into choice cuts more efficiently than stock cattle do .
Texas A&M confirm a 20 to 25 pct higher feed conversion pace for miniature Bos taurus . And a individual miniature hint neatly packs the average home freezer , so there ’s no need to chance someone to buy the other one-half of squawk , making the meat popular with abode consumers .
And dairy farm breed and dual - purpose minis give deal of princely , gamey - protein milk — enough for today ’s small house and then some . Mini Jerseys , Belfairs and Dexters all serve well as gentle family Milk River cows , exactly like their antecedent did not so very long ago .
5 Few Small-Cow Benefits
1 . If you want to have a cow , you ’ll require less pasture and far less space to house a mini version .
2 . If you must pen her and feed cut down - and - carry foraging , it ’s doable .
3 . Her teensy-weensy hoof and bantam - weight equate with far less grass damage and she ’s plan to eat on grass , not concentrate .
4 . She ’ll neatly expand on one - third the feed of her full - size kinship group and apply it to bring forth much less waste for you to hale forth .
5 . come in fall , you ’ll haul less hay . And you ’ll lug few buckets of water to quell her hungriness during the deep , hard winter halt .
However , minis are like potato french-fried potatoes , you wo n’t settle for just one . And for the diminished - scale farmer hoping to condition land for ag - tax geological fault or to turn a profit , this is a very right thing indeed .
Beth Diaz of Seffner , Fla. , concurs . “ We live outside of Tampa Bay in a small agrarian area , ” she say . “ We wanted to take advantage of taxation cuts and also have cattle to help oneself keep our pasture clean . Essentially , we want to become valet de chambre farmers . We were n’t looking for heart and soul sales agreement , so we settle to stick to one breed and raise babies to betray for 4 - H or to others interested in our strain . One day my search led me to a Miniature Zebu internet site and I was hooked . ”
Can You Keep Miniature Cattle & Horses Together?
For the guard of your mini cattle , do n’t assume they can be pastured with full - sizing horses .
“ When shuffle bovine and equine fellowship , there will be a hierarchy system , and they ’ll fight for dominance , ” Yoder says . “ There ’s a enceinte sizedifference when a horse and mini cow fighting . This can lead to injury or turn deadly .
“ kine butt and bang . Horses bite and kick . I ’ve seen a horse grab a mini cow by the neck opening and obliterate it . ”
Keep in mind that even though miniature cattle are diminished than full - size , they ’re still livestock and more powerful than a human . “ There call for to be a healthy regard between cow and human , ” Yoder says . “ If this is missing on either side , someone can get ache . ”
Cute and fat , miniature kine will pout your lawn , rend a cart , or simply pretty up your pastures . Let your kids show them in 4 - H. Drink their milk , mob your deep freezer with miniature steaks . They ’ll earn you tax recess and turn a net income sell as cover stock , ducky or bitch . What more could you postulate for ?
