- Discover adorable mini pigs, cows, donkeys, and goats at Sunset Ridge Minis.
Information for each Breed
Juliana Mini Pigs
Micro & Mini Donkeys
Highland Mini Cows
Juliana Mini Pigs
The Juliana Pig is a small colorful pig thought to originate in Europe through selective breeding of various kinds of pigs. Temperament is of the utmost importance since the Juliana has been specifically bred to work with humans.
General Appearance
The Juliana is a small, colorfully spotted pig. It more closely resembles a small version of a large hog or feral pig then it does the Pot Belly pig. It should be lean, longer than it is tall, and athletic in appearence. The Juliana should never be pudgy, heavily wrinkled, or sluggish in appearance.
Head
The most prominent feature of the head is a long straight snout that is neither turned up nor snubbed. Eyes are almond shaped, clearly visible, and can be blue to almost black. Ears are small and erect. Heavy jowls and a stubbed nose are to be discouraged.
Body
Lean and muscular, the Juliana pig should never look round or flabby. The top line should be straight and of good length.
Color
Always spotted - the base color can be silver, white, red, rust, black, or cream. Spots are generally black but can also be red or white. Spotting should be profuse and random, not in a piebald pattern. Spotting may fade or blend in as the hair coat gets longer, but pigmentation on the skin must be visible when washed or shaved. Hair coat is coarse, thick and may be quite long in the winter.
Size
On average, the Juliana pig is 15 - 19 inches in height.
Sunset Ridge is the only breeder in the state of Kentucky recognized by, and a member of JPAR (Juliana Pig Association and Registry)
Highland Mini Cows
Micro & Mini Donkeys
Highland Mini Cows
Mini Highland
Miniature cattle are great for small acreages. They can be anywhere to 1/2 or even 1/3 the size of standard cattle, so, therefore, require less feed and land. We encourage the ration of one miniature cow per ½ to 1-acre grass with good quality hay during the winter months.
Mini Scottish Highlands are a very hardy breed of cattle that can withstand harsh cold temperatures in the winter and hot temperatures in the summer with adequate shade and water.
- Size
Mini Highland cows are usually 36–48 inches tall at the hip and weigh up to 800 pounds. They are typically half or a third the size of standard cattle.
- Temperament
Mini Highland cows are known for being docile and calm, and they enjoy being around people and other animals.
- Care
Mini Highland cows require less feed and land than standard cattle. They can be raised on a pasture as small as half an acre, and they do well with other bovine breeds, goats, sheep, chickens, and dogs.
- Health
Mini Highland cows are susceptible to bloating and grass tetany, a disease caused by low magnesium levels in the blood.
- Breeding
Mini Highland cows are developed through selective breeding, and the key is to breed cows that have the bovine chondrodysplasia gene (chondro positive) with cows that don't have that gene (chondro negative).
- Cost
Pricing for Mini Highland cows varies depending on sex, color, and mature size.
Micro & Mini Donkeys
Micro & Mini Donkeys
Micro & Mini Donkeys
Mini Donkey
Micro Donkey are less than 30 inches
Miniature donkeys are usually 33–34 inches tall at the withers, and weigh 200–450 pounds. They are considered miniature if they around 36 inches or less tall.
- Temperament
Miniature donkeys are gentle, intelligent, and sociable. They are also known to be observant and cautious.
- Communication
Miniature donkeys communicate with each other through vocalizations that are sometimes called hee-haws, or yodels.
- Adaptations
Miniature donkeys have small, cupped hooves that help them climb steep slopes and rocky surfaces. They can also go long periods of time without drinking water.
- Diet
In the wild, miniature donkeys eat grasses, shrubs, and desert plants. In captivity, they eat hay and mineral supplements.
- Lifespan
In the wild, miniature donkeys typically live 25–30 years, while in captivity they can live 30–35 years.
- Social needs
Miniature donkeys need a friend and can become clinically depressed if they don't have one. They can be paired with another miniature donkey, a miniature or regular-sized horse, or a goat if raised with them.
- What are mini Donkeys good for?
Even better, they keep coyotes and other predators away! Full size donkeys can even kill coyotes, and minis will bite, kick, and generally deter them. They'll also help keep our weeds down, and we can use their manure to make stellar compost for the garden.
HighPark Cows
Nigerian Dwarf Goats
Micro & Mini Donkeys
HighPark Breed Standard
- Must be 50% or higher percentage Scottish Highland
- Must have a primarily white body, with black, red, or dark colored points or tips
- Can be polled or horned – horned is most common and preferred for the breed
- “Micro HighPark”, if measuring under 36” inches tall to the top of the back (at the base of the tailbone)
- “Miniature HighPark”, if measuring 36.25” – 42” inches to the top of the back (at the base of the tailbone), at age 3 or older
- “Mid-size HighPark”, if measuring 42.25” – 48” inches tall at age 3 or older, to the top of the back (at the base of the tailbone), at age 3 or older
- “Full Size HighPark”, if measuring over 48” inches tall to the top of the back (at the base of the tailbone), at age 3 or older
- Sunset Ridge Farm Specialized in the Micro, Mini and Mid-Size HighPark.
Nigerian Dwarf Goats
Nigerian Dwarf Goats
Nigerian Dwarf Goats
Nigerian dwarf Goats
The Nigerian dwarf goat is a miniature dairy goat breed of West African ancestry. Nigerian Dwarf goats are popular as pets and family milkers due to their easy maintenance and small stature. However, because of their high butterfat, they are also used by some dairies to make cheese.
Nigerian dwarf goats can produce up to two quarts of milk each day. Their milk has 10 percent more protein and butterfat than is found in most dairy goats’ milk. These goats have easygoing temperaments and can live peacefully with other kinds of livestock.
Physical Features and Characteristics:
As the name implies, these are small goats with a short, straight coat in a wide variety of black, white, brown, red and gold color patterns. Average adult weight is 40 to 60 pounds, length is 24 to 30 inches, and height is 16 to 20 inches (males can stand up to 23 inches). Sunset Ridge is known to have some that are on the smaller side from 30 pounds.
Announcement
Welcome! Sunset Ridge Minis is still under construction as we have lots of pictures to add in our Meet our animals tab, but go ahead and check out who we have so far.