F.a.q

How long do miniature cows live?

Despite their small size, mini cows can live about 15 to 20 years and sometimes can live up to 25 years. This depends on the quality of care that they get.

Can you house-train a mini cow?

Yes! With some sweet encouragement, your mini cow can quickly be potty trained. Researchers found this when they saw that cows learned to do their business in a specific spot. This helps if you would like to keep your mini cows as a pet and want them in and out of the house.

Are miniature cows worth it?

From the get-go, mini cows are much more expensive than standard cows, they are certainly worth every cent! In the long run, minis save you more money because you save on food, shelter and healthcare. They are also way easier to take care of than normal cows.

How much milk does a mini cow produce?

Usually, a normal-sized dairy cow produces 18 to 37 litres of milk daily! That is a lot, especially for a hobby farmer, which can lead to waste. On the other hand, mini cows produce a manageable 5 to 10 litres of milk per day, which is perfect for the family without any wastage.
Another benefit is that the milk contains 4.9% of butterfat, so you can make rich butter and cheese with any extra litres.

How many Minis should I get for a start ?

Getting multiple cows ensures they are happy and maintains their mental well-being. You must gently train them from a young age so they get used to you and your contact. This makes husbandry tasks easier for you and your cows!
Apart from other mini cows, they also get along well with any other farm animal.

What is the Chondro gene?

Chondrodysplasia is a genetic mutation that results in the animals appearing heavy bodied on short legs.

What age can I breed my mini cow?

We normally recommend non-dwarf heifers be exposed to the bull at 15-16 months.

How much does it cost to feed mini cows?

This is a loaded question. It depends on your preferred feeding method, the amount of land you have to grace and how much hay you have to feed. In our farming system we spend approximately $400 per adult cow a year.

What is the recommended type of fencing?

We love 4-5 strands of 12.5g high tensile electric fence. It is the easiest to manipulate once it is up and we find that we have to change fencing around especially as we have grown.

Are your miniature highland cattle friendly?

Yes! Our calves are generally trained before we allow them to leave for their new homes. We also conduct 4 weeks of socialisation for each calf, making them ready for their new homes. We teach them to trust people, be handled, and groomed. Our goal is to make them easy to love once they arrive at your place.

How old are miniature cattle when you sell them?

Calves are weaned gently over a 4 week process, and are ready to be collected by 6 months of age. We can provide agistment for them after this period until collection (rates on application).Occasionally we have older heifers or cows available.

How much land do I need for miniature highland cattle?

That all depends on the quality of your land – probably a minimum of 2 acres (knowing you may have to supplement feed (quality lucerne/oaten hay) in summer or dry periods.