Interest in miniature farm animals is surging in the US, driven by hobby farmers and homesteaders. These petite creatures, including cows, goats, and donkeys, offer an approachable taste of rustic life without the land demands of full-sized livestock. Platforms like TikTok have amplified their popularity, showcasing lovable mini goats and cows that have garnered millions of views.
Animal breeder Brian Gazda highlights how even small plots of land are sufficient for keeping miniature farm animals, making them accessible for more people. Mini goats are particularly favored; the Miniature Dairy Goat Association registered around 8,330 mini goats last year, a 73% rise from the previous year. Brittany Snow, a Florida teacher, illustrates this trend—her move to a small farm has led her family towards self-sustenance.
Entrepreneurs also see the potential in mini farm animals. Allie Sine turned her mini cow breeding hobby into the profitable Mini Moos LLC, selling calves for up to $30,000. Similarly, Kim Furches reports a significant increase in mini donkey sales, now fetching prices up to $9,000 each. Beyond commercial success, many families view mini animals as exotic, affectionate pets that double as efficient lawnmowers, like Jamie Campion's Southdown Babydoll sheep, which weigh in at about 70 pounds and stand less than 2 feet tall. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
,
uBlock 
,
and
Ghostery 
)
