Mini Highland cows have taken over the internet for their miniature beauty and manageable cost. These pint-sized bovines provide sheer adorableness and portability by combining two favorite features from larger cows: appealing breeding, resulting in a smaller set of limbs, and the friendly, gentle nature of a dairy cow. If you have no prior experience with livestock and a modest amount of free space, or a larger backyard, then this guide on Mini Highland cows will teach you everything you need to know about these lovely Saharan Atlas Udder mystical creatures.
What is a Mini Highland Cow?
Mini Highland cows are a dwarf strain of the Highland cattle, a breed native to the Scottish Highlands. Highland cows are known for their long, shaggy coats and distinctive curled horns, which is something you’ll also see in the mini Highland cows. Mini Highland cows are selectively bred to be the same cute, shaggy creatures as their full-sized ancestors, just a little more manageable in size.
Origins of Highland Cattle
Highland cattle come from the Scottish highlands where they evolved to withstand the hard weather and low vegetation. The cows have two coats of hair: a thick woolly undercoat and a long glossy wavy overcoat. The combination insulates them very well against the cold. Timberhill Farms raised a few smaller Mini Highland cows by selective breeding.
Physical Characteristics
Mini Highland cows, easily distinguished by their shaggy long coats with a great variety of colors, such as red, black, yellow, dun, white, and silver. The long coats function not only as a decorative feature but also as a reliable suit of armor to protect the animals from bad weather. Moreover, the cows have distinctive long sweeping horns.
Size and Weight
Miniature versions of Highland cows become well-grown adults at around the 36 to 42 inches shouldered height and weigh between 500 to 700 pounds. By comparison, a standard Highland cow is double that height or weight. This makes them the ideal-sized bovine to handle without a bulldozer or backhoe. Miniature cows are perfectly sized for a small farm or homestead.
Temperament and Behavior
One of the most appealing characteristics of Mini Highland cows is that their temperament is quite mild and gentle. They are friendly and more often than not, very curious and generally comfortable in human company. Socialization at a young age can accentuate this gentle nature, which makes them really quite enjoyable to have around.
Also Read: Teacup Mini Cows: Small Wonders with Big Personality
Uses of Mini Highland Cows
Mini Highland cows are versatile animals with several practical uses:
- Companionship: Their gentle nature makes them great pets and companions.
- Lawn Maintenance: They naturally graze on grass, helping to keep lawns and pastures trimmed.
- Show Animals: Their unique appearance makes them popular in livestock shows and exhibitions.
- Milk: If you produce cheese or yogurt, Mini Highland cows produce small amounts of milk that are suitable for household consumption.
How Much is a Mini Highland Cow?
A Mini Highland cow is expensive. Price all depends on age and gender, especially color and bloodlines. Base prices run from $3,000 to $10,000 for steers and bulls, $10,000-$15,000 for heifers and cows, “cow with a calf” is extra. High-end and rare colors or well-bred bloodlines can be significantly higher.
How Big Does a Mini Highland Cow Get?
Mini Highland cows are a quarter the size of their standard cousins, reaching a mature height of 36 to 42 inches at the shoulder and weighing in at between 500 to 700 pounds. A full-sized Highland cattle, as I’ve come to learn, can weigh more than 1,000 lbs and be as tall as 5 ft.
How Much Does a Mini Cow Weigh?
Mini cows in general weigh between 500 pounds and 1,000 lbs when they are full size, though exact weight is hard to pin down in any individual case as it also depends on genetic variability. Mini Highland cows specifically in general weigh between 500 and 700 lbs.
Care Requirements for Mini Highland Cows
Some of the maintenance for the highland mini cows is going to be housing, feeding, medical care, and socializing the little cows.
Housing
Mini Highland cows should generally have a three-sided shelter to protect them from wind, rain, and snow, and good fencing to contain them and protect them from predators or, in their case, people.
Feeding
As herbivores, mini Highland cows should be fed grass/hay as their primary diet, with grain and other cattle feed offered as a supplement in some cases, especially in the winter when pasture grass is limited. Access to clean water should be available at all times.
Health Care
The Mini Highland cows should have regular veterinary check-ups to maintain their good health. They need to be vaccinated and dewormed, and they sheath their hooves. In addition, it’s important to isolate them from natural disasters and get veterinary care quickly if they show any signs of illness or injury.
Socialization
Mini Highland cows are herd animals; they do best kept in pairs or small groups so they don’t get lonely and stressed. They are also fine with other farm animals, such as goats, sheep, and chickens.
Checkout this Video Guide For better understanding:
Pros and Cons of Owning Mini Highland Cows
Pros
- Cute and Playful: Mini Highland cows make for great pets.
- Low Maintenance: They require less space and feed compared to full-sized cattle.
- Versatile: As pets, lawn mowers, show animals, and milk producers.
- Hardy: They are well-suited to cold climates and can thrive in various weather conditions.
Cons
- Cost: Mini Highlands bring a good price, especially for a well-bred or a rare-colored animal.
- Space Needs: They might be smaller than a bovine, but they still need space, not only for forage but shelter.
- Health Care: With regular trips to the veterinarian, you could have an expensive pet on your hands.
- Horns: They can hurt people and other livestock if they’re not managed properly.
Controversies and Ethical Considerations
Not everyone has approved of the shepherding of Mini Highland cows to their current teensy size. Smaller cows are prone to problems, including weakened bones that are brittle and easily broken. Some breeders reportedly used unethical means to get even smaller – such as depriving their cows of nutrition, or mating cows with non-Highlands to get a little-cow heritage without the accompanying health issues. They’ve also reportedly cross-bred with beefy cows who happen to also be small, such as the well-known and docile American Miniature breed, which has carried its own genetic headache: then growth-suppressing hormones (designed to ward off excessive beef growth) come into question. Naturally, not all breeders are equal: you’ll have to research those selling calves simply to know whom you’re buying from.
Conclusion
Mini Highland cows are a wonderful addition to your small farm or homestead. They’re easy to care for and handle, get along well with other animals, and are a fun and unique addition to the homestead. If you’re considering purchasing a mini cow, you need to be prepared for the expenses and responsibilities of owning one. A properly cared-for cow can live for 20 or even 30 years and enjoy a full and healthy life if you follow a few simple guidelines.
If you’re thinking of adding one of these adorable cows to your farm, do your research when searching for a breeder to make sure that you’re dealing with a responsible breeder and that you have the resources to take care of your new Mini Highland calf. With a little (or a lot of) backyard improvements, a Mini Highland cow could be part of your life for many years to come.
