How Much Does a Miniature Highland Cow Cost?

There are a few things you should have in mind when you decide to buy a miniature Highland cow. Among the most important things you should consider are what kind of food this farm animal will eat, how much it will cost to own one, and where you are going to keep it. This article will go over these common questions as well as the cost of the acquisition of the miniature Highland cow.

How Much Does A Miniature Highland Cow Cost?

The average cost of a miniature Highland cow is somewhere between just $1,000 and $2,000 or more. Some factors, like winning any awards, being available for breeding, or any show participation can make this price go considerably higher.

You will spend less if you get the animal during a sale or auction where they are offered at discount rates than getting it directly from a Highland breeder, although sale animals will likely be of not-so-good quality and even have some health issues, which is why most buyers will avoid this route.

There are other factors as well, related to the specific needs of the seller, that will influence the final price of a miniature Highland cow. One common example is whether you want to buy it for breeding purposes, which means that you’d be more interested in purchasing one that is already in heat, or simply need one as a pet.

If, on the other hand, you want to get a cow that can be used in shows, then you should get an animal that has the necessary traits of a show cow.

About Miniature Highland Cows

Mini Highland cows originated in Scotland and represent a small, hardy breed of cows. This breed is specifically known for being able to adapt to harsh climates and a very docile temperament. They have a very high fertility rate and are pretty easily trained, which is why most people will find Mini Highland cows the best choice to raise on their land.

The size of the Mini Highland Cow is so small that it can easily be kept in a backyard or, if you’re up for it, even inside your home, which is why it is a better option for people that don’t have the space usually needed for large livestock. It is especially friendly and easy-going, with a very gentle temperament, having a lifespan of up to 20 years.

Considering that they don’t need a lot of food or a lot of space, these mini cows are known to be pretty easy to raise. You can feed a Miniature Highland Cow anything from grains to grasses, although most of the owners choose to give them grain mixers to keep them at a proper weight.

You might also like our articles on the cost of pigs, sheep, or Black Angus cows.

They will need regular deworming, hoof trimming, and regular working every three to four months, but other than that, they don’t require much maintenance. You should also make sure you inspect their hooves for problems like cracks.

Mini Highland Cows will tolerate cold weather with ease, as they are particularly robust. They will have a high resistance to diseases that hit other cattle breeds hard, like bovine leukemia virus, mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy), or foot-and-mouth disease.

Poor nutrition that lacks nutrients will be one of the biggest threats to the Mini Highland Cow. If you want these animals to stay healthy and grow properly all throughout their lives, you will have to give them enough protein. Their food should also be rich in iron so that you prevent anemia and keep their blood healthy.

What Are Miniature Highland Cows Good For?

Miniature Highland Cows are considered one of the most beautiful breeds of cattle, with qualities such as the ability to thrive on all kinds of grasses, a gentle nature, and incredible hardiness. They are also great for farms that have limited space, due to the breed’s small size.

There are other reasons that make this cow breed so great. They are easy to keep in a backyard and handle as you need them as they are bred to stay at a small size. Although there are farmers that raise miniature cows for milk, most of these creatures are raised for their amazing meat.

Miniature Highland Cows love to stay outside and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air, although you can still keep them inside a structure like a barn or even your home.

Although their main purpose is still meat production, you can also use Mini Highland cattle for:

• Keeping them as livestock on small farms, as they are very easy to handle compared to full-sized cows
• Plowing fields, as they easily move on steeper slopes where regular cows might have issues
• Keeping as pets, as they are particularly friendly and easygoing

Mini Highland Cow Lifespan

A mini Highland cow will have a lifespan of anywhere between 10 and 15 years, although there were specimens that managed to live considerably more than this. The environment in which the animal lives, its food, as well as general genetics will have an influence on the number of years it will live for.

At What Age Can You Sell Miniature Highland Cattle

You can sell Miniature Cattle at almost any age, although, if you want to sell them for breeding purposes, it would be better if you waited two years or more before listing them for sale.

And yes, it’s true, there are people that sell their miniature Highland cattle at very young ages. But they will have a hard time finding buyers because, if the animals are too young, they aren’t mature enough to be bred.

Keep in mind that raising any type of cattle will mean that you will have to take care of the necessary deworming treatments and vaccinations, to ensure they are healthy at all times. This is one of the key requirements when you want to sell livestock at auctions or events where they will be kept around other animals.

How Big Do Miniature Highland Cows Get?

The average mature miniature Highland cow will have a weight of around 700 pounds, while its height will be of about 34 inches at the shoulder. The bull will reach a height of 36 inches tall at the shoulder, which makes it slightly taller than cows when fully grown. It will also be heavier, at around 800 pounds.

Final thoughts

The Miniature Highland cow is one of the best choices for people that want to keep a small ranch or farm. What makes these cows perfect is their very small size, enabling them to take up very limited space.

Some people choose these cows when they want to raise their own organic meat but don’t have space for larger animals.