If you have just brought home a Miniature Highland — or are about to — the first 30 days are equal parts thrilling and full of small decisions. A calm arrival sets the tone for everything that follows.
Days 1–3: A quiet welcome
Give your new calf a small, secure space with shelter, fresh water and grass hay. Keep visitors, dogs and loud noise away for the first 72 hours. They have just travelled a long way and need to learn that their new home is safe.
Days 4–14: Building trust
Spend ten minutes twice a day sitting quietly in their paddock with a small handful of their regular feed. Don’t try to lead them yet — just be present. Hand-feeding from a flat palm teaches them that hands are good news, not restraint.
Days 15–30: Routine and grazing
Introduce the halter in short five-minute sessions. Move them to a slightly larger pasture once they are confidently eating and drinking on their own. Watch droppings daily — any change lasting more than 48 hours is worth a quick call to your vet.
What to feed (and what to avoid)
Miniature Highlands thrive on good grass hay, a small amount of low-protein hard feed in winter, and free-choice mineral licks. Avoid lush spring grass in the first few weeks — it can cause bloat in cattle that have not built up to it.
When to call us
We are always happy to talk through any wobble in those early days — small, calm questions caught early save much bigger ones later.