About Miniature Zebu Cattle
Little Cows for Small Farms and Ranches
By Lonnie Hoover
It seems everywhere we drive outside the city limits we see urban sprawl. Because of our growing population, the spreading out of city residents and services to the countryside is turning good farm and ranch land into strip malls and housing projects. Would be farmers and ranchers are moving out of the cities on to small 5 to 10 acre ranchettes.These diminished acreage's have lead to the need for a smaller, more productive breed of cattle. Miniature Zebu is the breed to meet this need. On 5 acres, a rancher can raise (2) two large, full size beef cattle. But 5 acres can accommodate up to (10) ten Miniature Zebu. Sales of Miniature Zebu are on the rise. Zebu eats less and therefore cost less to feed, they are less destructive to pasture. Their diminutive size makes them easier to handle.
Miniature Zebu differs from other small cattle in that they are a natural breed. They are not just bred to be tinier and tinier each generation or aren’t just the results of a breeding-gone-bad. This breed is actually one of the oldest known cattle breeds, dating back to 6000 BC. They are believed to have originated in Southern India or Sri Lanka, where they are referred to as Nadudana cattle, or “small cattle” in Hindu. Miniature Zebu is of the “Bos primigenius indicus” of the Bovine family, whereas their ancestors, the larger breed of Brahman cattle are “Bos indicus”. A few of these were imported in the 1920’s for zoological gardens in this country and from there the breed has flourished in the United States.
Aside from their size, one of the distinguishing characteristics is a well-developed hump, especially on the mature bull. They have the Brahman look except a miniature zebu’s ears are erect rather than pendulous. Both bulls and cows have horns of moderate size. In comparison to conventional breeds of cattle, Miniature Zebu is slow to mature. It appears that the smaller the animal, the older they are when they first breed. It is normal for a heifer to give birth to her first calf at around 30 to 36 months of age. This is one of the reasons that they are relatively rare in the United States.
Miniature Zebu is a hearty, disease resistant breed of cattle. This is a tropical breed that loves hot weather and will lie in full sun on the hottest days of the year. On windy or cold days they prefer to spend their time inside a shelter. As long as you furnish them with proper housing in the winter months, they will do fine.
Miniature cattle are much easier on the land, pasture, fencing and equipment and are considerably safer for children to be around. They are also easier and safer to confine for veterinarian care. Expensive fencing and heavy-duty equipment is not needed. Generally, these animals are not a primary food-producing breed, which means they are not generally used for production of beef. However, one of the advantages to raising Miniature Zebu cattle, if meat is your goal, is that you are looking at a 600-pound animal and after butchering your yield will be about 60%. That’s 350 to 400 pounds of lean beef, just the right amount to fill the family freezer.
A Miniature Zebu breeder has up to six different markets for their newborn calves: pets, beef, breeding animals, mini milkers, junior rodeo stock and show cattle. About 70% of the Miniature Zebu sold today is being sold as pets. Many of the professional couples that are moving out of the cities and occupying those 3 to 5 acre mini ranchettes are looking for four legged lawn mowers. You do not own Miniature Zebus, they own you. Kay Byerly of Dry Creek Farm in Terrell, Texas put it the best I have ever heard, “Oh my goodness, I feel sorry for anyone who does not own Zebu…they are such a joy!”
Miniature Zebu cattle can make excellent milking cows. The normal Jersey or Holstein milk cow can produce up to 5 gallons of milk per day, more than the average family can use. Your mini-milker, a Zebu, will produce a gallon of milk that is very high in butterfat and the quality of milk cannot be beat.
Several rodeo outfitters are now carrying a string of junior rodeo bulls and feel that the only true rodeo bulls are the Brahman like Miniature Zebu. They feel that the 6 to 12 year old rodeo enthusiasts prefer full-grown Miniature Zebu bulls to calves from full size cattle. Aside from the rodeo uses, Miniature Zebu cattle are also the ideal show cattle for the younger 4H and FAA participants. They are small in size and easy to handle. The Miniature Zebu is an excellent exhibition breed of cattle. They cohabit well with other animals, they don’t eat as much as the large breeds, and are easier to handle and care for.
Some of the other characteristics promoted by breeders are that this breed has a long life span, living 20 plus years with good care. They are intelligent, resistant to flies due to their very active sub-dermal (under the skin) twitching muscles. They have functional sweat glands that aid in cooling which makes them more heat tolerant.
In the early 1990’s a group of enthusiasts met to establish the International Miniature Zebu Association whose registry would gather and maintain the studbook of this breed. Under the registration guidelines to
be classified as miniature, the mature height cannot exceed 42 inches, but most Zebu breeders strive to raise cattle in the 34” to 38” range. Mature cows will weigh 300 to 400 pounds with the bulls ranging from 400 to 600 pounds. Although gray is the most common, colors range from black, red, spotted or steel gray to almost pure white. In mature bulls, the neck shoulders and hump may be nearly black.
If you have never seen a newborn Miniature Zebu calf, you don’t know what you are missing. They are so extremely petite, almost fawn like. Newborn calves are 16 to 18 inches tall and weigh 18 to 22 pounds. The bottom line is we raise Miniature Zebu cattle because we love them, not just to make a profit. Purchase animals that you like and want to have, not for the purpose of just making money.
Q & A ~ UNDER CONSTRUCTION
- Frequently asked questions
Q - " When do Zebu start breeding?"
A - The Average breeding age for Zebu heifers is about 2 (1/2) - 3 yrs old. With that said some heifers breed as early as 1yr or as late as 6 yrs old. Genetics & diet play rolls in the fertility of your cattle.
- The Average breeding age of bulls is 18-20 months old. Some breed as early as 14 months of age.
Q - " How big do they get? "
A - Miniature Zebu grow to an average height between 35 - 38in, 42in is the maximum height to be eligible for registration.
Miniature Zebu under 35in are classified as micro minis in the show ring, Some can be as small as 28in at maturity.
~ We prefer to stay between the 30in-38in mark for our cattle.
Q - " Do only the bulls have horns?"
A - Heifers & bulls both have horns unless they are dehorned or naturally polled (born without horns)
Q - "What are they used for?"
A - Miniature Zebu are a multi purpose breed; some use their cattle for meat or milk production & even as draft animals! Most use them as pets/lawn ornaments or for breeding/showing purposes. ~ We hope to establish a milking herd of zebu in the future
Q - "How much milk do they produce?"
A - Depending on the individual cow; We recorded between 24-32oz twice a day with one of our mature cows, Chloe. It was her 2nd Freshening (second calf) Some zebu can produce up to a gallon of milk per day.
Q - "How difficult is it to milk a zebu?"
A - Miniature Zebu are a naturally timid breed meaning your not going to be able to milk a cow that's just sitting in the pasture without any physical contact with humans. Cows that are handled daily will be much easier to train. Like any dairy animal Training should be started as early as possible to desensitize your heifer/cow. ~ Zebu teats are about the size of goat teats.
Q - "What kind of dewormer do they need & how often?"
A - Zebu only need deworming twice a year; Deworming protocals vary by state ~ Here in S FL we use safeguard paste on calves & cydectin for adults. D.E. (Diatomaceous Earth is also used as a dewormer for cattle. Be sure to send in fecal samples to be tested from time to time to see if they need treatment for a specific worm type.
Q - "What type of minerals do zebu need?"
A - A red mineral block & white salt lick are usually all they need ~ We use a Himalayan salt block & a redmond mineral block for our animals along with an organic kelp mineral mix due to our pour quality soil & low selenium levels here in FL.
Q - "What kind of hay do they need?"
A - Zebu do well on regular coastal/burmuda grass hay. Perennial Peanut hay is a great supplement hay for poor pasture/winter months or even as a treat! They LOVE peanut!
~ Alfalfa is not recommended for zebus as they can get bloated if they consume too much of it.
` but Straight Timothy or Orchard hay works as well
Q - "Do their hooves need to be trimmed?"
A - Hooves should be trimmed twice a year depending on how quickly their hooves grow some may need it more often or less often