Benefits of Raising Miniature Beef Cattle

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Having a family milk cow is synonymous with self-sufficiency for many people, as being able to provide your family with fresh milk and some beef is an ideal combination.

Unfortunately, cattle tin be very challenging to deal with, peculiarly if you have zippo feel. Furthermore, i very large steer tin can provide far more meat than one family tin can handle and similarly, i developed milk cow in her prime volition produce mode more than one, two or even three families tin drink.

The solution to this problem comes in a slightly smaller packet: the miniature cow.

Why Choose Mini Cows?

There are many reasons why miniature cattle breeds keep to grow in popularity. With many weighing in at 500 pounds, they are specially well suited for homesteaders who are new to livestock, take limited pasture space, are elderly or disabled, or just don't need a lot of milk or beefiness.

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Here are just a few reasons why minis are such a good choice.

1. Minis are easier to handle. For someone new to livestock, trying to handle a i,500-pound dairy cow tin can exist intimidating to say the least. Some people may never be comfortable around large animals. Mini cattle are easier to handle and are often much more than docile than their larger cousins. Regular husbandry such as giving injections, worming, milking and starting time aid is much easier for the new homesteader as well.
2. They are safer for families with children. Fifty-fifty a docile milk cow can exist likewise strong for children to handle. Immature children can easily be stepped on accidently and injured. Children should ever be supervised around livestock, just mini cows are much safer.
3. At that place'll do less impairment to pasture and fencing. Cattle are crude on pasture due to their hooves and weight. Mini cows are much easier on pasture as well equally fencing. Beef cattle are especially known for beingness rough on fencing (i.e. leaning on it). You won't need super tough and expensive fencing for mini cattle.
4. You will save money on feed. Naturally a cow that weighs 500 pounds eats much less than one that weighs 1,500 pounds. Small heritage breeds similar the Dexter swallow less than other cows their size besides.
5. Breeding mini cows, especially popular types and heritage breeds, tin can give yous some supplemental income. This shouldn't exist your principal focus but depending on your area, selling some extra calves could pay for the living costs of your herd and give you a little extra spending money.

Downsides to miniature cattle are few but worth it to think about. For instance:

• Miniature cattle are more expensive. Sometimes double to triple the price per head, depending on the brood.
• Particularly modest mini cows tin can have difficulty breeding and birthing. Some breeders are and then focused on size that their bloodlines suffer genetically. Ever buy from breeders who breed for utility (milk or beef, not just showing or pets).
• Predators are more of a concern. Therefore keeping mini cattle out on range isn't a skilful idea.
• Miniature dairy cows can exist difficult to hand milk. Mini cows have very small teats so men or women with larger easily may need to use a machine or pump-style milker.

Popular Mini Cattle Breeds

When it comes to individual mini breeds, there are unlike advantages and disadvantages. It is important to carefully inquiry breeds before settling on one. I highly recommend asking around your ain expanse to see which breeds happen to do well in your climate.

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In that location are some breeds of cows that are true small breeds, meaning that they are a heritage breed developed to be small rather than a more commercial blazon that has purposely been bred to a small size. Typically the cows that fall into the latter make up majority of the mini or small cows y'all see for sale.

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One of the best small-scale breeds of cows are Dexters. Dexters are a truthful pocket-sized brood of cattle hailing from Ireland. When information technology comes to miniatures and small-scale breeds, they are on the larger side. They stand between 3' and 4' at the shoulder with cows rarely getting over 800lbs. Dexters are extremely versatile – perfect for beef and milk likewise as showing and piece of work equally oxen. One large steer will fill your freezer with 300 to 400 pounds of meat.

This heritage breed is a perfect choice for almost any situation. They can be hard to find merely worth the endeavor if you want versatile cattle that are naturally hardy, docile and able to thrive in most whatever climate. Discover out more almost Dexters by clicking hither.

As for other miniature or pocket-size breeds, some popular varieties are:

• Mini or Minor Highlands
• Mini Jerseys
• Mini Longhorn
• Mini Angus
• Mini Holstein

More than and more breeds are started to be selectively bred for smaller size. Reputable breeders will produce animals with all the same qualities and purposes as the larger varieties. So if y'all really honey Jerseys, a mini Bailiwick of jersey volition be an amazing milk producer for the homestead. If you only want beef, await into mini Angus or lowline.

Finding a Breeder

There are a few different ways of finding high-quality stock. I highly recommend contacting the breed'south association to find out if there are any breeders in your surface area. You likewise can go the word out through classified ads online and in the newspaper. Don't forget to inquire local cattleman who may non proceed the breed you're interested in but may very well know who does.

Auctions tin be a very popular way of finding stock just this is not a good option for the new homesteaders, unless perhaps you are accompanied by an experienced stockman. Overall you should avert auctions unless it's a brood-specific auction or one being held by a respected association.

If you choose to find stock through classifieds in the papers or online on a site similar Craigslist, you need to exist just as careful equally an auction. I personally have found great success in finding rare livestock breeds through online classifieds. Be certain to enquire the breeder plenty of questions and see whatsoever pedigree records.

Some aspiring homesteaders want zero more than than having a milk moo-cow or putting a side of beef in their freezer for the winter. Thankfully mini cows and other small cattle breeds allow novice keepers to safely go along some cattle while too lightening the financial burden of bigger stock.

What do yous think? Are miniature cattle a good homestead fit? Share your thoughts in the section below:

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Source: https://www.offthegridnews.com/how-to-2/5-reasons-miniature-cows-are-a-better-option-than-standard-ones/

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