How to Raise Miniature Cattle

If you want to raise farm animals but are not quite sure what to start with, try raising miniature cattle. They require less room than standard cattle and don't require special equipment or fencing. Never more than 42 inches in height, they can live comfortably with 10 cows on 5 acres. No matter whether you keep them for beef, milk or a family pet, raising miniature cattle can be fun.

Things You'll Need

  • Miniature cattle
  • At least 2 acres of pasture
  • Shelter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select which breed of miniature cattle you wanted. Currently there are 26 breeds of miniature cattle, all with different traits, so your reason for having the miniature cattle will determine the choice of breed.

    • 2

      Make sure there are at least 2 acres available for the miniature cattle to roam. Cows are herd animals by nature, so they will do better in groups of at least 2 or 3. Miniature cattle are much less destructive on pastureland than normal-sized cows.

    • 3

      Purchase food for the miniature cattle. These creatures eat far less than their larger counterparts, which is handy for the owner of a small farm. They typically eat 10 to 12 pounds of alfalfa feed a day compared to 25 to 40 pounds for a full-sized cow.

    • 4

      Provide some sort of shelter for the miniature cattle during inclement weather. An open-ended cattle shed will work well. Be sure to face the shelter towards the south so it gets warmth from the sun in wintertime.

    • 5

      Keep the miniature cattle healthy. Check with the local veterinarian for information on vaccinations and parasite prevention.