Miniature cows have been steadily growing in popularity. Social media feeds are bursting with people cuddling their mini cows or recording them running around in a field. Not only because of the cute factor, but cows have also become more popular as homesteading is on the rise.
Maybe you think it’s time to purchase a miniature cow. If you’re still on the fence, though, let these 6 reasons convince you to add this adorable creature to your farm.
1. Easier To Handle
Though standard-sized cows offer a lot of benefits for a farm, their size may be overwhelming for a first-time cow owner to handle. Miniature cows are about 1000lbs smaller than standard cows, making them significantly easier to handle and guide.
Additionally, mini cattle tend to be more docile than their larger counterparts. Not only does this result in being more cooperative, but it can make veterinary visits, health check-ups, and milking processes go smoother.
2. Good Companions
Miniature cows are known for being sweet and affectionate. They have gentle and kind dispositions and are great additions to your homestead. Since cows are social creatures, they will benefit from having other animals around, especially other cows.
Because of their small size, some people have the room to actually have their miniature cows live with them in their homes. So not only are they good livestock, but they can actually become great companions and pets.
3. Safer Around Children
If you have a family with small children, their safety is always a concern. Though cattle can be docile creatures, due to their large build, they can accidentally cause safety risks. Children can accidentally get stepped on or kicked while handling the cattle.
Children should always be supervised when they are working with larger animals, but miniature cows are much easier for children to handle and work with. If you are looking to balance the benefits of having a cow while watching out for your family’s safety, mini cows are the perfect fit.
4. Reasonable Food Supply
People looking to have cows for the supply of milk and beef may be overwhelmed by the amount a full-sized cow would offer. Especially if you are looking to only provide for your family, one cow’s provisions would easily feed multiple families.
Miniature cows are much more reasonable when it comes to meat and milk supply. Despite their small size, female adult miniature cows can still produce 50 to 75% of a standard cow’s supply. If you are looking for just having enough milk and meat for your family, a miniature cow is a better option.
5. Supplemental Income
Though you should look to have miniature cows for other reasons than just breeding, if you do sell calves or bulls, you can get a pretty good price for them. Some breeds of mini cattle can tend to be pretty expensive due to their popularity, but you can earn some of that money back if you sell a few calves. The purchase can help cover costs of care for your mini cow(s) and provide extra cash.
6. Cheaper
The initial purchase of a miniature cow can be an investment, but the overall cost of care is significantly less than a standard cow. Due to their being nearly a third of the regular size, miniature cows naturally need less.
They tend to weigh between 500 to 800lbs, depending on the breed, and only need to eat 2 to 3% of their body weight daily. This equates to between 10-24lbs per day. If you have a decent pasture or grass, then you will likely only need to supplement their feed in the winter time and they can pretty happily live off of the land.
Additionally, they are more adaptable and gentler on property. One miniature cow only needs about a half acre of land to live comfortably, which means that you don’t need to move or invest in a large amount of acreage to begin homesteading. Some larger cattle can also ruin fences by doing things like leaning on them, so miniature cows will be a lot kinder to your property and save you from some damage repair.
Care For Your Miniature Cow
Miniature cows will make a great addition to your farm, homestead, or family. Ensure that they get the care and treatment they deserve by investing in a cattle waterer from Bar Bar A. Order now to give your mini cow their best life!