5 Miniature Cows Breeds for Your Small Farm
Miniature cows are the perfect animal for smaller farms and acreages .
They are much safer and easier to handle than standard sized cattle, and they are ideal as organic or grass-fed beef.
Butchering one animal provides the right amount of meat for a small family and has more choice-cuts. One miniature cattle will feed a family of four for six months. Families who prefer cows milk to goats milk and wish to consume organic, hormone-free milk , mini-milk cows are perfect for them.
Minis range in size at three years of age from 36″ in height to a maximum of 48″. This is 1/2 to 1/3 the size of normal cattle.
Below are photos and brief descriptions of five breeds of mini-cattle.
1.Belted Galloway
Miniature Belted Galloway
The Galloway cattle originiated in Scotland as an extremely hardy breed with a great temperament. Galloway are the oldest polled breed of cattle in the world and come in several colors with a white belt, black hair being the most common. Their unique double layer of hair gives them more climate flexibility. Galloway are non-selective grazers and can be run with sheep. Cows are good milk producers and good mothers .
Further information visit : Mini-Beltie.org.
______________________
2.Dexter
Dexter Mini Cow
Photo : wikipedia
The Dexter breed originated in Ireland. They are about half the size of a traditional Hereford. Mature cows weigh 610–700 pounds (275–320 kg) and mature bulls weigh 1,000 pounds (450 kg). They may be of several solid colors, black hair being the most common, with horns. They make excellent milk cows, producing 2 to 2.5 gallons (7.6 to 9.5 liters) per day, but they are also excellent meat producers. The third common use of them is as oxen.
Many of the miniature cow breeds have been made by crossing Dexters with other breeds over these past two decades.
Further information visit : www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/dexter/index.htm
3.Zebu
Miniature Zebu
Miniature Zebu Cow with Calf
Zebu originated as naturally small primitive cattle and may date back as far as 6,000 B.C. in South Asia. Zebu are a tropical breed which is slow to hardy , mature , and disease resistant. If raised in cold climates, zebu require a barn. Mature cows should weigh 305 to 500 pounds, and bulls, 405 to 600 pounds. They come in a variety of colors.
Further information you can visit : http://www.imza.name/
4.Jersey
Jersey Miniature Cattle
Photo : flickr
Jersey mini-cows can produce 2 to 3 gallons of milk per day. Jersey miniature cattle needs to be milked twice a day. One needs to know very low to reach their udders.They have high butterfat content in their milk, a genial disposition, and Jerseys are adaptable to hot climates.
Further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_cattle .
5.Panda
Miniature Panda Cow
photo : wikipedia
The “Miniature Panda” is very rare, and has a white face and a white belt and black ovals around the eyes, giving it like as panda . A panda calf can bring as much as $30,000. It may result from a cross between an Irish Dexter and a Belted Galloway.
Further information: http://www.minicattle.com/index.cfm?select=panda
Source : 10 Miniature Cattle Breeds for Your Small Farm
Tag : Miniature Cows , Miniature cattle , belted galloway cow , dexter cows , jersey cow , zebu cattle , panda cow
