The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Cattle => Topic started by: stephen on October 23, 2007, 03:09:20 pm

Title: miniature cows?
Post by: stephen on October 23, 2007, 03:09:20 pm
ive found 'miniature cows' on one of my many internet searches looking at different animal breeds! (along with micro pigs!) the minature jersey is extremley beautiful for a cow! (are we allowed to insert web links? if not sorry!!http://www.miniaturejerseyassociation.com/history.htm )has anyone kept miniature cows before? are they docile / aggressive? good for milking etc? are they even available in the uk?  ;)

Ta!
Title: Re: miniature cows?
Post by: Hilarysmum on October 23, 2007, 03:22:43 pm
Do you have the link for miniature pigs please? ;D
Title: Re: miniature cows?
Post by: stephen on October 23, 2007, 03:57:48 pm
i cant find a decent link for 'micro' at the moment but here are some for 'mini' (the same thing just a different word!!) if i find anything better ill let you know!!  the last link below has a good pic for size difference between a mini / micro and a 'normal' sized pig! :)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/7044897.stm

http://www.petstreet.co.uk/article.aspx?ContentType=3&ID=375

http://www.freewebs.com/gympieminipigs/classicphotos.htm

http://www.thepigpreserveassociation.org/miniature_pig_faqs.htm
Title: Re: miniature cows/pigs?
Post by: Chris on October 23, 2007, 07:27:19 pm
Should go on the pig board really  ;D , but since the question was here ...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/7044897.stm
Title: Re: miniature cows?
Post by: Rosemary on October 23, 2007, 08:03:35 pm
Never heard of miniature cows - Shetland and Dexters are quite small, though. I don't really understand the fascination of miniaturising animals - like miniature horses. Why bother?
Title: Re: miniature cows?
Post by: Hilarysmum on October 24, 2007, 06:32:48 pm
Having lived with Hilary for a few years now I am all for miniaturisation, its not easy being vertically challenged facing a large pig who is convinced you have stolen her piglets (which she left in the long grass but who naturally enough have wandered off whilst she slept) who is nearly as tall as me and definitely as wide.  Only difference is she has 4 legs and is extremely fast.  Now if she was 2ft high she would not be so formidable.  Now I know its not normal to have a pig in the house, and we dont encourage Hilary, who at close on 300 k is a big girl, but when she does come in, she is dangerous in her search for food.  She cares not if anyone is sitting on the sofa that the biscuit just rolled under, she will upend both sofa and occupant.  Our bed has never been the same since her visit.
A miniature Hilary would be much easier to live with.  Not that we would change her now.
Title: Re: miniature cows?
Post by: AMunro on January 02, 2008, 02:25:47 pm
I just thought I'd let you know that I tasted meat from a Dexter last night & it was absolutely delicious.  Beautifully tender and tasted divine.  The best piece of roast rib I think I've ever had.  I think that's reason enough to go out & get a Dexter or 2...!

VP
Title: Re: miniature cows?
Post by: swavgav on January 05, 2008, 08:00:40 pm
Shetland and Dexter Cattle are classed as miniture Cattle