Highland cows have recently become more popular than ever, with their gentle natures, friendly personalities, and fluffy coats taking the spotlight on social media. If you’re considering adding some Highland cows to your herd, keep reading to learn answers to some of your questions about what raising these cattle entails, including how to ensure they stay hydrated. 

How Do I Keep My Cattle Hydrated?

With any livestock, it can be tricky to ensure they have access to all the fresh, clean water they need to stay properly hydrated. Traditional troughs can grow mold, bacteria, and algae, which are unhealthy for your livestock. Plus, in the wintertime, the water can freeze, becoming undrinkable. 

That’s where automatic waterers from Bar Bar A come in. They provide unlimited, on-demand hydration without the pitfalls of standing water. Whenever your cattle need a drink, they simply activate the waterer by pressing down on the paddle to fill up the bowl. Once they’ve had their fill, the excess water drains out, so you don’t have to worry about attracting mosquitos or growing algae. It’s a simple, non-electric solution that ensures cows and other livestock stay hydrated.

Why Are Highland Cows So Popular?

Over the past few years, you haven’t been able to browse social media, visit a home decor store, or walk through a toy aisle without seeing cows. Cattle — especially of the Highland variety — have exploded in popularity, earning a top spot in online entertainment, decorative motifs, and children’s plushies. But why?

Highland cows’ popularity is likely due to the popularity of farmhouse-inspired home decor, online hype related to collectible toys, the rise of the “cottagecore” aesthetic, and short clips shared on social media by ranchers and farmers. Whatever the reason, these unique and adorable creatures have quickly become a favorite among animal lovers.

Can You Keep a Highland Cow as a Pet?

Yes, you can keep Highland cattle as pets, especially miniature breeds. Their friendly, docile nature makes them suitable domestic companions. However, it’s important to remember that they require lots of space to graze, need regular feeding and grooming, and are happier when kept in groups of two or more. 

If you’re interested in keeping a Highland cow as a pet, do plenty of research about how to properly care for them. Make sure you’re prepared for the time, energy, and costs involved in keeping them happy and healthy. You’ll also need to check local regulations to see whether you’re allowed to have them in your area. 

How Much Land Do You Need for a Highland Cow?

For full-size Highland cattle, you’ll need at least 1 acre of pasture per cow. The more space they have to roam around and graze, the better. If you opt for micro or miniature Highland cows, you should have at least half an acre per cow. 

How Much Does a Highland Cow Cost?

As with any livestock, the price of a Highland cow varies based on its age, gender, pedigree, health, and breeding status. They can cost anywhere from a couple thousand dollars to more than $15,000. In general, you can expect to pay more for a cow that’s of breeding age, especially heifers. 

Why Do Highland Cows Have Long Hair?

The most striking feature of Highland cows is their long hair. They actually have a double coat — the outer coat is coarse and oily, while the shorter undercoat is soft and wooly. This double coat ensures the cow stays warm in winter conditions, protects them from the brush, and prevents flies from getting in their eyes. 

Speaking of hair, most people associate Highland cattle with having ginger fur, but they can actually have black, dun, yellow, white, and gray hair, as well! 

Are Highland Cows Friendly?

Yes, Highland cows are very friendly! They enjoy interacting with humans and are intelligent enough to remember faces and learn routines. Their curious, playful nature makes them fun companions. They’re typically gentle and calm, and their natural social structure means there’s rarely any aggression within herds. 

Keep Your Highland Cows Hydrated with Bar Bar A

At Bar Bar A, we specialize in helping farmers, ranchers, and homesteaders keep their livestock hydrated with our innovative automatic waterers. Whether you own Highland cows, donkeys, horses, or pigs, our non-electric automatic waterers are the best way to ensure your animals get enough to drink.

Browse our automatic waterers online today, and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions!