Image from Wikimedia by Aconcagua.

Mini Highland Cow: Characteristics, Key to Recognize, Feeding Guide and More.

The Highland cows are typically classified into two types: the West Highlands (Kyloe) type and the Highlander. But recently, we have been introduced to a new type of Highland cow, the Mini Highland or Miniature Highland Cow.

(Note: There is controversy regarding whether the Mini Highland should be recognized as a separate breed. For instance, in Australia, the Australian Highland Cattle Society is reluctant to recognize them as a separate breed, while the Poll Highland Society is willing to do so.)

However, due to their small-sized, fluffy-adorable appearance, and friendly personalities, they have swiftly gained popularity. Breeders develop Mini Highland through selective breeding, aiming to achieve a smaller and even cuter version of the traditional Highland cow.

In this article, we will explore the traits, feeding needs, care requirements, and other interesting facts about Mini Highlands in a clear and understandable manner. Let’s dive deep into the Mini Highland cows and see if they are the right fit for you!

Mini Highland’s Characteristics

The Mini Highland is a compact, small-sized, hardy cow, a mini version of the traditional Highland. Their size is about one-half to one-third (36 to 48 inches at hip) of a standard Highland cow. Due to their small size, they need less food and space compared to larger cattle, making them an economical choice.

Mini’s posture volume requirement depends on the quality of the grass and the overall food supply.

However, due to their small size don’t underestimate their adaptability. The Mini Highland cows are hardy animals, just like their larger Highland predecessor. Their long, wavy coats enable them to withstand harsh, cold winters and hot summers.

Their coats come in a variety of colors, such as red, black, white, silver, and dun. They weigh between 500 to 700 pounds (226-317 kilograms).

Mini Highland cows are cute and fluffy in appearance, and docile and friendly in demeanor, making them an excellent choice for new farmers. You can raise them as pets or livestock, as they are well-suited for both roles.

They are herd animals, so it is best to keep at least two Mini Highland cows together. They can also adapt to other livestock like horses, donkeys, goats, or other non-aggressive cows.

Their lifespan is between 15 to 20 years if provided with proper food, health care, and habitat conditions.

Image from Wikimedia by Gordon Leggett.

How to Recognize a True Mini Highlands cow?

Developing a Mini Highland takes years of persistence, selective breeding, and Investment. Simply breeding two small Highlands does not guarantee a Mini Highland offspring.

However, due to their popularity and scarcity, you would need to pay a good amount to buy them. Unfortunately, dishonest breeders exploit this demand to make substantial profits.

They adopt dishonest shortcut procedures to produce a Mini highland cow. For example:

Some breeders intentionally use the dwarfism gene by crossing Highland cattle with Dexters to develop shorter-sized Highlands. However, these crossed short-sized Highlands are not true Mini Highlands, and the calves may experience various health issues.
Some breeders intentionally stunt the growth of calves by underfeeding them in order to market them as Mini Highland cows, which leads to health problems for those calves.
Dishonest breeders may even try to sell small/younger calves as Mini Highland.

So before buying a true Mini Highland cow, do throughout research. Ask about their parentage and choose a cow from a reputable breeding program with a long-standing history. A key feature to recognizing the Mini Highland is its short cannon bone. Even slight differences (a few inches) can significantly impact overall size.

Responsible breeding

Creating true Mini Highland isn’t about quick fixes. Breeders should not only prioritize their size but also their well-being. They should choose parent Highland within the breed standard, and avoid unethical methods like stunting growth or using dwarfism genes to create smaller Highland.

Feeding Guide

Mini Highland cows need balanced, nutritious food, just like any other cattle to stay healthy. Their diet must be balanced and include essential nutrients such as protein, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, trace minerals vitamins water, and energy.

One of the best ways to meet their nutritional needs is through quality pasture forages. Posture forages naturally provide a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and energy required for cattle health. However, maintaining a nutritious pasture requires thoughtful management.

Implement rotational grazing to manage pasture quality. Rotational grazing improves pasture quality by allowing grasses time to recover and reducing parasite proliferation.

Controlling the number of grazing animals on a pasture is important, as overcrowding with too many cattle reduces the quality of pasture grasses and increases the risk of disease outbreaks.

When good quality grass is not available, you have to supply supplementary food like grain, soybean meal, or better-quality hay to maintain their health.

Besides, you must ensure that they can access fresh water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, whenever they want.

By following these basic principles, you can help your Mini Highland live healthy and productive lives.

Care Guidelines for Mini Highland

As a responsible owner, it is crucial to keep a cautious eye on your cattle’s health. No one can predict when an animal might fall ill. To ensure their well-being, follow this brief care and health checkup guideline.

Regularly monitor their behavior and watch for any signs of illness such as weakness, lack of appetite, inactivity, or other unusual symptoms.
Mini Highlands are social animals, so it’s essential to keep them with other animals—such as another Mini Highland, goats, or cows. If you’re considering buying a Mini Highland, purchase at least two to ensure they have companionship.
Consult your local veterinarian to craft a vaccination plan. As they will be familiar with common local diseases. Additionally, don’t forget about deworming plan, since parasites can severely affect cattle well-being.
Schedule regular veterinary checkups.
Establishing a bond with your Mini Highland is essential. Regularly interact with them, handle them gently, and reward positive behavior to build trust.

Preparation before buying

Before buying a Mini Highland cow, you should ask some questions yourself.

Can you afford the initial costs, such as shelter, fencing, and veterinary check-ups?
Do you have enough time to look after them?s
Can you provide them with supplementary food during harsh seasons or times of food scarcity?
Can you manage their ongoing expenses, such as feed, vaccinations, and other essential needs?

Mini Highland cows are a charming and hardy cow, offering both beauty and practicality for small farms and homesteads. Their compact size, hardy nature, and gentle temperament make them ideal for first-time owners. If you’re considering purchasing one, be sure to buy from reputable breeders. With proper care, nutrition, and handling, Mini Highlands can live long, healthy lives and become a rewarding part of your farm or family.

Want to learn about another Miniature cow? Click here.