Mini Cow FAQ

This page is intended to be a guide only, and any written/verbal contract both provides details and takes precedence over anything on this page,. 

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If you have any questions or would like to just talk, we love to talk about our cows!​

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Mini Calf Pricing

Pricing of our calves is based on many factors including color and markings, disposition, guesstimated height at maturity (see Size below), chondro status, registration status, and sex of the calf. We do not set pricing in advance, but expect a 2026 pricing range of $5,000 - $15,0000. Note that we do not publish pricing for individual animals on our web page as a protection for you and us, so please contact us for pricing on a specific calf. 

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Mini Cow Sizes

Any heights provided is our best guesstimate, but not guaranteed. They are based on our experience with our animals and their prior calves, mature height of dam and sire, size at birth, and chondro status.

 

Miniature cows are often classified as micro (under 36"), mini (under 42"), and mid-mini (under 48"). Micro calves will generally be chondro positive. Mini calves may or may not be chondro positive. And mid-mini calves will generally be chondro negative. Note that chondro status does NOT guarantee a micro or a mini sized cow. In fact, you could have a chondro calf that ends up mid-mini or even bigger!

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We like our mamas to be non-chondro and mid-mini to reduce chance of calving dystocia, and they're mostly in the 41-43" range, with some being at/under 40" and one being in the micro mini range. This means that we have experienced that our non-chondro calves end up in the small mid-mini range, around 40-42-ish inches, and our chondro calves end up in the mini range around 38-40-ish inches.

 

Here's is a pretty widely accepted growth chart and mini size categorization, and also a decently factual article explaining the chondrodysplasia gene. (I'm working on an article about chondro that will have other resources, so stay tuned.) Note that the growth chart doesn't begin until about 6 months old, which also means that you cannot predict a calf's mature height at birth. 

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Vaccinations & health management

All BBR calves come with age- and situation-appropriate vaccinations, and details will be listed in our contract for an individual animal. Depending on age, this typically includes one dose or two doses of a 7-way vaccine (such as Vision 7), one or two doses of a respiratory vaccine (such as Bovishield Gold), deworming (such as Ivermectin), and fly control (such as Exit Gold). For heifers, we routinely do the brucellosis vaccination, which also comes with an RFID ear tag and tattoo. Lastly, depending on transport or situation we may also do an intranasal like Inforce 3.

 

If agreed, castration is included in the price for a bull/steer. This procedure also includes a tetanus vaccination. 

 

Please ask us if you'd like more information about our health care and vaccination protocols. If you would like a different vaccine protocol, please ask so we can agree on the right plan that meets your goals. 

 

Health papers, brand Inspection & ear tags

On leaving our ranch, calves will have applicable health papers and brand inspection per their destination requirements.

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Health Papers

For calves being transported out of state, every state has their own specific requirements. We do the first research by googling "import cows to [state]", and then we use our vet's knowledge to double check. You should do theh same. Requirements are typically state-, age- and sex-specific. For example, if you live in Oklahoma and want purchase a calf from BBR, you could google "import cows into Oklahoma" and you would end up on this Oklahoma cattle import page. You should also google requirements for intrastate cattle movement within Colorado. 

 

As part of our service we provide all destination state required Certified Veterinary Inspection (CVI), vaccines and/or tests. Please note that some tests, such as trich tests for older bulls, take some time to return results and may impact transport timing.

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For calves staying in Colorado, we do not routinely do any specific health inspection or certifications. 

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There are many vaccines and health tests that could be done. We follow current practices and take the advice of our local vet who has knowledge of our herd and practices. If you would like vaccines or tests beyond the scope of our typical practices, please ask us so we can agree on the right plan that mets your goals. Some tests may require a quote through our vet and advance payment. 

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Brand Inspection

Brand inspection is governed by the origination state, so please research where your calf is come FROM, not where it is going TO. Some states are tricky, such as South Dakota, which has regional-specific brand inspection requirement -- brand inspection is required if the cow originates west of the Missouri River in the Ownership Inspection Area.

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Colorado is a brand inspection state, which means that all calves, regardless of destination in or out of state, will have a formal "brand inspection / bill of sale". For planning purposes, the brand inspection appointment can take anywhere from 1 to 5 days to get scheduled. Notes that we do not actually brand our calves -- this is a State of Colorado paperwork formality.​​

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Ear tags

We have recently begun placing ear tags on our calves for tracking and record keeping purposes. These ear tags have our ranch logo and given name. If you would like a different ear tag, please let us know with enough advance notice to change it out for you. 

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Bottle calves​, weaning & socialization

Our philosophy is that dam-raised is first choice, for many health and social reasons. Therefore, calves are dam raised unless noted. We typically start weaning between 5 and 6 months of age, at which point they are already eating hay and nibbling grain. We socialize from birth so that calves are used to all the hoomans being in their space -- they've learned to trust, may already like to be brushed, and may already take treats from your hand.

 

Once weaned, we begin more intense socialization so the calves are ready for their new homes. This socialization process generally takes anywhere from 4 - 8 weeks. Calves go to new homes with experience being touched/brushed, taking hand treats, and walking on halters. Weather permitting we will have started on bathing.

 

Calves all have different personalities, so we strive to be as open and honest about their health, temperament, and socialization progress as we can. Sometimes we may get to weaning time or agreed transfer date and a calf may not be as progressed as we would like. In these cases we always communicate and give you the option for us to continue socialization or for you to take them home and finish the process.  

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Mini Cow Transport

It is the responsibility of the buyer to arrange transport — that way it is a contract between you and the transport company, and you can be in control. There are many reputable mini cattle transport companies and we are happy to give you referrals. 

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We often deliver "locally" within the state of Colorado as well as places within a day's drive — we have even delivered to Texas! We LOVE meeting you in person, so if you are not able to pick up yourself, let's figure out the best thing that works for us both. 

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Contract terms

We typically require a 50% deposit along with a signed sales contract, 25% due on weaning, and balance due at transfer. Please ask if you would like a different arrangement.

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Cow buddies

Cows need other cow buddies, even mini cows. It is not sufficient to have a goat, sheep, horse, or donkey. It is also not sufficient for the human to visit regularly. Based on evidence and also on recent experience, we no longer sell any cow/bull, mature or juvenile, into a home that does not already have a cow buddy on property or arranged for soon. Please contact us to discuss your situation.