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Learn More About Mini Highlands
Want to Learn more about Mini Highlands? This is where we impart all our knowledge about these cuties on to you. Here you can learn more about how to care for your new Hairy Heifer, the breed history, and some quirky facts about the Mini Highland.
Hairy Heifer Fact
Mini Highlands are a robust breed of cattle bred from the Highland cattle lineage. They are very friendly and their size makes them safe to handle. The mini Highland are bred to be smaller in size and better suited to coexisting with people.
Caring for a Mini Highland
At Hairy Heifer, We believe it is in the best interest of the calves to be weaned from their mother slowly as nature intended. This means your new Mini Highland will begin it’s life with you somewhere between the three and six month old mark.
Preparing a Home for Your New Mini
Mini Highland cattle eat a lot of grass and hay. They are also very good at locating wild food sources all over their pasture when they venture out to forage. This is great in terms of self sufficiency, but it’s important to do a spot check of your land to clear any toxic plants or flowers like Oleander. The Minis may try to eat it, with lethal consequences. We recommend researching local flora to find any toxic plants that may be growing in your pasture and try to remove them before introducing your Mini Highland.
When your New Mini Arrives
Mini Highlands are hearty animals, and usually have no issues with light to moderate travel. After a trip in a trailer it’s very important to do a wellness check, and make sure there are no signs of stress or injury from the trip. If your Mini traveled in more extreme weather conditions like rain or snow, check for excess fluid or mucus build up around the nose, eyes and mouth. If you see any signs of injury, excessive fatigue or health issues contact your local cattle veterinarian for additional consultation.
It’s always recommended to quarantine new cattle for a week prior to introducing them to your herd at home.
Feeding your Mini
A Mini Highland requires far less feed and land to thrive than their full size counterparts.
Mini Highlands can be easygoing in a lot of ways, and once their environment is properly suited to their needs, they can do a lot on their own. But when it comes to feeding They will always need access to fresh water, grass hay, and then supplement with feed. During the day, They can also forage and find food where it naturally cultivates as long as there is plenty of space for them to explore.
Mini Highland cattle eat a lot of grass and hay. They are also very good at locating wild food sources all over their pasture when they venture out to forage. This is great in terms of self sufficiency, but it’s important to do a spot check of your land to clear any toxic plants or flowers like Oleander. The Minis may try to eat it, with lethal consequences. We recommend researching local flora to find any toxic plants that may be growing in your pasture and try to remove them before introducing your Mini Highland.
Good Things to Have
All of our cattle are vaccinated and immunized before they leave HHCC. This helps make sure once they leave the ranch, your new Mini Moo won’t come down with an easily avoidable dangerous condition on your watch. We do however recommend keeping a few items on hand to make sure if a cold streak hits, you are prepared with antibiotics and remedies that will make sure any malady is resolved quickly.
We Recommend
Banamine (Flunixin)
is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, analgesic, and antipyretic used to treat cattle. It is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and considered generally safe for treating Mini Highlands with general pain, inflammation, or fever.
Draxxin (Tulathromycin)
is a common, general use antibiotic used to treat bovine respiratory disease (BRD), infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), and a variety of common cold types of bacteria found in cattle.
The History of the Mini Highland
It’s important to know about Mini Highlands before you decide to care for one. Without going into encyclopedic length on the history of highland cattle, here are a few interesting facts.
It all started in Scotland
The origin of the Highland Cattle lineage is traced back to Scotland. Where the large open pastures and at times harsh weather have created this adorable animal. Currently they are found throughout Europe, North America and Australia, but enthusiasm for Mini Highland care reaches internationally.
Their hair isn’t just for looks!
The most recognizable trait of a Scottish highland cow is the shaggy fringe of hair covering the face and eyes. The hair known as the “dossen” serves as a shield for wind, rain, sleet and snow. Inr the summer, it serves as a protection from the sun, and keeps pests away from their sensitive eyes. The hairs in the dossen are thinner during the warmer seasons and become thicker during colder months.
The most noticeable difference between male and female Mini Highlands is their horns. A bull’s horns will grow slightly forward or even tilt downward toward the point with a much wider base, whereas a cow’s will point upwards with a longer and finer horn overall.
Aside from not needing as much hay and land as the larger highland, the low maintenance of mini highlands extends to the scavenging capabilities. They will eat anything with nutritional value and they know how to forage for it too. Honeysuckle vines, tree leaves, they have even been known to eat poison ivy! Mini Highlands are incredibly resilient in nature and have the capacity to thrive in harsh conditions that would cause other cattle to perish.
The Highland Cattle’s coat has two layers, an undercoat and an outer, oily coat. The coat varies in color from dun to black, white, red, yellow and silver which can be mottled or a more solid color.
Mini Highland Genetics
It’s important to know about Mini Highlands before you decide to care for one. Without going into encyclopedic length on the history of highland cattle, here are a few interesting facts.
That’s a Cow of a Different Color!
This chart identifies the probability of a Mini Highland’s coloring based on the parent’s coloring.
Can you Guess the Outcome?
If the gene connected to the color is heterozygous, then yes you can! Here is a handy chart outlining a general “what to expect” in terms of your future calf’s coloration.
If we assume the parents are both heterozygous, then the calf’s coloration can be assumed to match the outcomes listed here with a high level of certainty.
How to Predict & Measure Highland Cattle Size
A Mini Highland can be measured anytime after its weaned. This chart provides a reliable estimate of how large the Highland will grow.
Frame Score in Cattle
What is the frame score? Frame scoring is a measurement of the skeletal size or frame of an animal. The scoring system ranges from 1 to 10 based on height at the hips or hook in cattle. Most animals maintain the same frame score throughout their lifespan.
I thought this was a Mini?
Early measurements taken with care, by the experienced staff at Hairy Heifer, will alleviate the buyer of a big surprise and ensure that your new Mini Moo isn’t destined to grow into a full size cow.
How Big Will it Get?
The final, and most accurate measurement is taken three years after the calf is born. Around a Mini Highland’s third birthday, their measurements provide an exact indication of the final size.
* This chart represents the final classification of measurement of Highland cattle. When measuring you should measure directly across the back above the hook of the hip. Measuring on the hip bone can cause variations in measurement as much as 2-4 inches.
** Mature bulls are taller than cows of the same frame score.
The Hook
The hook is the name for the top most point on the hip of the back legs. When taking measurements, it’s considered best practice to always measure from this point across the top of the back above the hook.
Micro
36” Tall and Under
Mini
Over 36” - 42” Tall
Midsized
Over 42” - 48” Tall
Standard
Over 48" Tall
How to Measure a Mini’s Size
A Mini Highland can be measured anytime after its weaned. This chart provides a reliable estimate of how large the Highland will grow.
Micro
36” Tall and Under
Frame Score in Cattle
What is the frame score? Frame scoring is a measurement of the skeletal size or frame of an animal. The scoring system ranges from 1 to 10 based on height at the hips or hook in cattle. Most animals maintain the same frame score throughout their lifespan.
Mini
Over 36” - 42” Tall
I thought this was a Mini?
Early measurements taken with care, by the experienced staff at Hairy Heifer,will alleviate the buyer of a big surprise and ensure that your new Mini Moo isn’t destined to grow into a full size cow.
Midsized
Over 42” - 48” Tall
How Big Will it Get?
The final, and most accurate measurement is taken three years after the calf is born. Around a Mini Highland’s third birthday, their measurements provide an exact indication of the final size.
Standard
Over 48" Tall
the Hook
The hook is the name for the top most point on the hip of the back legs. When taking measurements, it’s considered best practice to always measure from this point across the top of the back above the hook.
* This chart outlines the growth potential based on the size at the time of the measurement. When measuring to the top of the hook, expect variation of up to 2 inches. When measuring behind the shoulder, check your cattle registry for comparison.
** Mature bulls are taller than cows of the same frame score, while mature steers are taller than bulls of the same frame score.
Mini Herd Behavior
Typically older bulls are comfortably established at the top of the pecking order followed by the adult cows. Younger bulls tend to try and find their place in the herd, while younger heifers are docile and more prone to “go with the flow” within the herd.
Understanding the UCDS
The UCDS is a uniform rating system used to best portray the docility of the cattle being traded.
Blended Ratings
Rating a Heifer may not be as simple as applying a single description. Some may fall into 2 or more of the rating categories. In this case a blended rating is used to best portray the personality of your Mini.
Half Score
Use of a ½ score is acceptable when the Mini is described by two consecutive rating descriptions in the UCDS. The half score is used to show a more accurate picture of the cow’s docility.
Example
Score of 1.5 – A Mini that is typically calm and accepts human contact untethered.
Average Score
Use of an average score is used when the cow’s behavior is described by 2 or more rating descriptions that may or may not be in consecutive order on the UCDS. The rating is determined by taking the average of the applicable descriptions and applying a whole number preceded by the word Average or the abbreviation AV.
Example
Average score of 3 – A Mini who will come to feed when a handler is within 2’ but attempts to jump a fence in an enclosure of under 20’ when a person is in the same space.
the UCDS
1 + (Plus) • Show Quality
Mild disposition, gentle and easily handled, stands and moves slowly during handling, undisturbed, settled, somewhat dull. This cow will accept a halter, stand untethered for human contact (brushing or hand feeding). Will lead or stand tied without resistance. A Mini with this rating is what you expect to see from a champion show cow.
1 • Docile
Mild disposition, gentle and easily handled, stands and moves slowly during handling, undisturbed, settled, somewhat dull. This animal will stand untethered for human contact and accept food from a person’s hand.
2 • Restless
Quiet but slightly restless, may be stubborn during handling, some flicking of the tail. This cow will accept treats directly from a human’s hand. A Heifer with this rating will be content with a human in any enclosure with a dimension under 20’. They may accept occasional human contact, such as petting or brushing, particularly in a confined space. Will come to grain if a human is within 2’ of the feed.
3 • Nervous
Manageable but nervous and impatient, a moderate amount of struggling, movement, and tail flicking. The cow will flee human presence within 10’. A Mini with this rating will keep the most distance possible from a human in any enclosure with a dimension under 20’. Will not come to grain if a human is within 2’ of the feed.
4 • Flighty
Jumpy and out of control, quivers and struggles violently, may bellow and froth at the mouth, continuous tail flicking, defecates and urinates during handling, frantically runs fence line and may jump when penned individually, exhibiting long flight distance. The cow will flee from a human within 50‘. Will be anxious and searching for an opening in any enclosure with a dimension under 20’ when a person is nearby. Will not come to grain if a handler is within 5’ of the feed.
5 • Aggressive
May be similar to score 4 but with added aggressive behavior. Fearful, extreme agitation, continuous movement that may include jumping and bellowing, may exhibit attack behavior when handled alone. The cow will flee a person within a 100-foot radius. An animal with this rating will try to escape any enclosure with a dimension under 20’ when people are around. Will not come to grain if a handler is within 20’ of the feed.
Hairy Heifer knows cows. The team at Hairy Heifer have devoted their time and extensive knowledge in livestock to breeding the ideal cattle pet. We are located in Kerrville, Texas known for our captivating parks along the river. With so many vast green fields concentrated in this area, it’s no wonder Hairy Heifers are able to blossom to their full potential.