Miniature Cattle

My brother, Wendell Carver of Russellville, OH has a small farm and I do believe he would do Old McDonald proud.  He has recently added chickens to his group of several horses and dogs that he has living there.  He is getting interested in the miniature cattle and sent me these pictures as examples of the miniature breed.  Miniature cattle should not exceed 700 pounds live weight at three years of age.  They must be under 42 inches at the hip to be classified as miniature.  Compare this to the standard mature cow which weighs 1000 to 2000 pounds and is 50 to 60 inches tall. 

Miniature cows come in a variety of colors from many shades of brown, brindle, black and occasionally pinto or splashed with white.  Miniature Jersey cows are naturally polled animals which means they are born without horns.

Miniature cows are members of the bovine family.  All cows are ruminants and have four-chamber stomachs.  They are cud-chewing animals.  Male cows are called bulls.  Altered males are called steers.  Females are called cows.  It takes a cow nine months to have a baby calf.  At birth, a baby calf weighs approximately 20 to 30 pounds and is from 16 to 20 inches tall.  Miniature cows can live up to 25 years with the possibility of producing 23 calves.  Miniature cows are very docile and easy to handle.  They can be kept in as little as 1/4 acre of land.  They require 1/3 the nutrition of an average full size cow.

Miniature Jersey Cows are a sound economic investment.  They produce up to four gallons of milk daily and yield higher quality marketable beef.  With the emphasis on health related diets to eat smaller servings of meat, the consumer can enjoy smaller cuts of beef with more marbling and less fat.  Not only are miniature cows very practical for milk and beef supply, their small size, hardy constitution, gentle nature and rarity make them ideal for the exotic investor, weekend farmer, or backyard hobbyist.

(Information taken from www.tanglewoodfarmminiatures.com/minis/cows.html)