I remember when I made the decision to raise mini longhorns. I was researching several breeds that were mini or just backyard bred without papers. I was talking to a lady who raised Aberdeen Angus as well as mini longhorns. I asked why she got rid of the Angus. Her response was 'I got tired of looking at all black.'. I was sold as I enjoy many color variations in cattle and although a nice set of cows all the same color are appealing to some degree the idea of a set of cows of all the various colors just jumped out at me. At that point I started looking for mini longhorns as to me all the various horn shapes were a plus.
I made the trip through several states visiting as many ranches as would let me visit. Each one had great cattle and just as longhorns have so many colors there are as many styles to raise them. I met some great people and got to see how they raised their animals. I eventually settled on where I wanted to get them and made that jump. We have now had many calves born and you really can't know what the calf will look like when born and they even change colors after they are born.
From Black to red to brindle to yellow or parker brown and all their various shades, as well as patterns, they truly are a rainbow of colors. I remember my first parker brown calf that was born a beautiful deep red. She was up in the foothills so after she was born I went back a week or so later and could not find the red calf, but this. black calf was nursing on the mom. I was like confused as to what happened, and I did not get a close up clear picture the week before because mom was taking her away from me. That was one reason I went back to get a picture and see if it was a heifer or bull. I still regret that I didn't get a picture to show her as a red calf then changed to black with light tipped ears and nose.
Parents genetics have to play a roll but you wonder when you get three such calves as these from the same cross. A black and white sire bred to a yellow and white dam gives you these three calves is just crazy. Also they can change as they grow. The first one was born red and white then over time all her colors came in here she is as a calf then as a yearling. Her transformation was astounding to us.
We have been fortunate so far in that we have not had any solid colored calves born. Our main herd has a lot of white marking that they have passed on to their offspring so far. We very much enjoy all the colors and markings in our calves. We tell people they are yard art as they are living canvases of color you get to enjoy viewing everyday. If your ready to add a pet cow to your herd feel free contact us to discuss your needs. We usually have enough born to share some each year.
Head over to our sale page first but if you don't see anything there feel free to shoot us an email and don't forget to sign up for our email list so you get first chance at new babies. They don't usually last long.
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