5 Small Cattle Breeds Perfect For Hobby Farms and Homesteads

[@DustyBottomBoysAK]

Another great video, guys! One thing I would add is that cows are social animals, meaning they do not like to be alone. It is best to have at least two cows on your homestead, unless they have a horse or a donkey or something to be with at all times. Also, do you guys sell the Hobby Farm Guys shirts? -Dusty

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Good point! Yes we will have the shirts available for sale very soon!

[@chriswillock2177]

For sure. So many people don't understand the nature of herd animals. We have miniature Nigerian Dwarf goats. They NEED other goats. Atleast 2. They say have them in 3s. Alone they can become depressed and sick. Even die in the end.

[@t.m.23]

1. Mini Hereford 2. Jersey 3. Dexter 4. Highland 5. Mini Zebu Great video! ❤

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Thanks!

[@corinneyeager]

This video is one of the Most important for me... Wanted goats because cows are to big and eat to much.... Thanks again❣️❣️❣️❣️🎉

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

So nice of you! Glad you liked it!

[@corinneyeager]

Ze Boo Sounds like my cow‼️😀 Again and Again--thanks🙏

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

😁

[@JamesDickson-vs5of]

Thank you for saying "Hereford" properly guys 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✌️

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

😂 Once in a while we actually know how to pronounce some of the tougher words!

[@JamesDickson-vs5of]

@@HobbyFarmGuys I remember back in the 60s my old man telling me the smaller and more nimble a bull is, he is potentially more dangerous than a big one , certainly the case with Ayrshire dairy bulls, those little jersey bulls, will need watching, I bet 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✌️

[@ShetlandNeurodiversityProject]

Shetland Cattle, a rare breed Small but very Adaptable; Shetland cattle were used for both milk and meat. Without this asset many families would not have survived; not only are they good milkers who produce highly nutritious meat, but they are extremely suitable for conservation grazing. They were also originally used extensively for draught purposes. The milk and the meat have been proven through scientific analysis to be high in Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), a healthy fatty acid which may have anti-carcinogenic properties. Relatively small and light boned, Shetland cattle are easy to keep in a wide range of conditions. They have good calving rates throughout their lives. Due to their conformation they calve easily even to larger bulls. Pure Shetland calves are quick to get up and suckle. Due to milk quantity and quality pairs of calves can easily suckle simultaneously. Shetland cattle have a light frame and large feet which prevents poaching on soft grazing. They eat a wide range of grasses, including rushes, coarse herbs and thistle tops. They browse a wide variety of shrubs, including young heather. Cows can calve late into their teens and even beyond, thus fewer replacement breeding stock are required. Hardy and thrifty, Shetland cattle, have an innate ability to convert low quality grazing into efficient milk and meat production. In choosing this unique cattle breed, you are not only contributing to the preservation of the living heritage of Britain's most northerly outpost, but you will also reap the potential benefits of a low maintenance suckler cow, which still has the advantages of modern commercial types.

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Thanks for the info!

[@jsbaltes]

Good video, I will come back to it when I have that decision in front of me. Hopefully soon. Thx guys.

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Please do!

[@mysparky2011]

Love the Hereford. Thanks, very enjoyable

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@frankieboy2417]

Can't make my mind up, have to watch again

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Great idea! 😁

[@frankieboy2417]

@@HobbyFarmGuysGoing to save this video and have my wife watch it. I have an acre and hoping to add a few more but it will be enough for a couple shorty beefers. So a couple of Highland is the plan. Of course the boss has to approve as usual, come March we will be married for forty years and I got SMRTER as I aged.

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

That is smart!

[@frankieboy2417]

@@HobbyFarmGuysSMRT I guess you guys need a spelling lesson, lol.

[@boxing76ful]

Great information,great video!

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Thanks!

[@FrostyThundertrod]

Thank you, I am thinking about the Red Poll. since it is a dual purpose breed and supposable able to finish on pasture

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Good call! Also easy calving and great at rearing young!

[@GerhardBothaWFF]

First time cattle owner with about 3 acres for them. Got me some Dexters! They have become so tame! And their backs come up to my waist. They just fit. Very hardy

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Awesome!

[@richardlynch-sb1gr]

Very informative video for a beginner. 💯 ☘️

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Glad you think so!

[@brightantwerp]

Adorable!

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Yes they are!

[@SymbioticRegenerativeFarm]

I am deciding between Jersey or Highland. If I could milk the Highland, I'd go with that.

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

You can absolutely milk Highland cows! The quantities will be significantly lower than the Jersey, and the butterfat content is higher (~10%), many people milk Highlands.

[@chriswillock2177]

One thing to consider is your climate. We are in northern Alberta and I'm sure you've heard of the terrible winters in Canada. Northern Alberta is as cold as the territories. Often as cold as the extreme north on some nights. -50c is not uncommon. A cold hardy breed is what we look for up here. The Highlands are a stronger breed then the Jerseys. Folks in these parts do have some Highlands.

[@wildedibles819]

We have low line angus at the farm we help at They are much more friendly over regular size angus especially if your hand raising them

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Another great option!

[@gonelooney5698]

India now has a true miniature dairy cow breed about the size of a med-Lg dog and said to have 18% BF milk. So friendly they are even kept as house pets. they have the typical hump as well

[@brokendad2222]

One Son has red angus the other Son has highland cattle, myself I am seriously considering the Dexter's.

[@a15thcenturysuitofgothicarmor]

Wooooo yay cattle!

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

🐮 yay!

[@corinneyeager]

If you add kelp to cow feed their methane will be cut way down ( I believe the guy that's showing this was editor of mother earth ...)

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

I understand certain types of seaweed will reduce methane emissions, but it is still being tested to see if it is cost effective to harvest and process the seaweed feed additives.

[@michaelhowell2326]

Please excuse my ignorance, but are of these minis capable of protecting themselves from coyotes in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina?

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Fair question. While smaller than standard cattle breeds, miniature cattle are still large enough & tough enough to ward off a coyote. Calves may be vulnerable if they stray too far from mom, but mom probably wont let that happen.

[@michaelhowell2326]

@@HobbyFarmGuys thank you so much. They will be near the house and I have dogs that will usually give me a heads up, but it's great to know they can fend for themselves a little. I've always heard donkeys works great as gaurd animals but if I got one of them I'd want it to be mini as well.

[@fpanizo]

I want to farm at high altitude ( 3000 meters aboude sea level) and in Peru, near the equator. The temperature its between 6°C -12°C and they need to resist cold wind and because they rain just 3 to 4 months of the year they need to resist the dry season, which cow do you think its the best for this climate conditions?

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

The Highland, Hereford or Normande cattle (not featured) are good choices for hardy, high altitude cattle.

[@fpanizo]

@@HobbyFarmGuys Thanks for your help...!!! Is there any place where I can get that cattle in USA? I am from Peru, thanks.

[@francoisguillemette5484]

How about Canadian cow ?

[@Hamsterbtconly]

Are you guys familiar with the South African breed the Nguni? Sounded similar to the zebu breed you mentioned. Twitch, parasitic resilience.

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

We are not. Might have to do some research...🤔

[@heidid6985]

Enjoy watching you guys but the sound on this video needs some help😊

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

Yes we do! I think we have the sound problem fixed…of course I thought that before!

[@marypatbarnett-lewis5287]

I've heard that Rhode Island Reds have a tendency to become egg bound when they are older 2+ years old. Does anyone know anything about Rhode Island Reds becoming egg bound?

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

They are more prone to this for two reasons: genetics and because they lay lots of eggs. There are a number of breeds that are more prone to egg binding including the Sussex, Plymouth Rock, New Hampshire Red and the Rhode Island Red to name a few. Luckily it is still not too frequent even in these breeds.

[@chriswillock2177]

I've thought about miniature cattle on our place in northern Alberta. We have a quarter section or for folks not familiar with the terms quarter section or half section or full section it's a measurement of acres. Not sure if it's used in the states. A quarter is 160 acres. Anyway I've looked at miniature Belted Galloways. One of the Scottish breeds and very winter hardy. There's a few ranches up here running standard size Galloways.

[@HobbyFarmGuys]

I’m jealous of your land, but not the Northern Alberta winters!