African cow: description of 3 breeds of cattle and their content

Some species of wild animals, whose relatives are successfully bred in private farms, could not be domesticated. Such representatives of the wild fauna include the African bull. This buffalo has a large physique and lives in the savannas. But there are representatives among African cows who have been bred on farms for several centuries.

A bit of history

Among African domesticated cows, the watussi bull has gained great fame. There is a lot of controversy around the origin of this species. The inhabitants of Africa insist that Watussi is a separate species of wild cows that appeared in the course of natural selection on the continent 6 thousand years ago.In this case, the progenitor is called a relic bull.

According to another version, watussi emerged as a separate species 4 thousand years ago. The progenitors of this animal are called humpbacked Indian zebu, who also live in Africa, and Egyptian cows. Rock paintings and images found during excavations testify in favor of this theory.

Genetics indicate that both versions are correct. In the DNA of Watussi, chains were found indicating that among the ancestors there are Indian zebu, Egyptian cows and wild aurochs. Despite the availability of data obtained during the genetic study, scientists cannot determine from which species the African bulls originated.

Cattle of Africa

Prolonged droughts, high temperatures and periodic tropical rains, characteristic of various regions of Africa, are not able to withstand all animals. Therefore, the usual domestic cows do not live here.Mainly watussi, water buffalo and zebu bulls are bred here.

Indian buffaloes

Indian buffaloes are distinguished by the following characteristics:

• height - up to two meters at the withers;
• the weight of an adult male - up to 900 kilograms, females - up to 670 kilograms;
• body length - up to four meters;
• average life expectancy is 26 years;
• food is mainly grass, but dry food and vegetables are added.

Indian buffaloes have an aggressive disposition. Therefore, these animals are less common in households than other cows. Despite their large body mass, Indian buffalo are mainly bred for milk, not meat.

This is due to the peculiarities of the skeleton: animals have massive bones and hips. Due to this structure of the body of meat after slaughter, no more than 50% of the mass of the buffalo is obtained.

The milk fat content of these cows is 9%. Indian buffaloes are valuable in manure, as they often consume algae. Animals are also bred for their skins, which are then used to make garments and shoes.

Watussi Bull

The characteristic features of Watusi include the following:

• wide and massive horns, the base diameter of which reaches 35 centimeters;
• the distance between the horns is 2 meters;
• length of horns - up to 3.7 meters;
• The weight of each horn is 45 kilograms.

Such horns in bulls serve for thermoregulation. The height of an adult male watussi reaches two meters, and its body weight is 850 kilograms. Females weigh up to 550 kilograms. These animals are brown in color.

Watussi feed on their own while walking in the pasture. Like Indian buffaloes, these bulls prefer to eat seaweed. The popularity of watussi in Africa is explained not only by large horns: milk and blood of animals are used for ritual purposes.

Zebu bull

Watussi have large horns for thermoregulation, while zebu have a hump on the back, which is made up of fat deposits. These cows are characterized by long and strong limbs, as well as endurance. Therefore, the zebu is more often used as a traction force.

The characteristic features of this cow include an increased content of leukocytes in the blood, which provides strong immunity to common diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and tuberculosis.

And because of the non-standard microflora of the stomach, the animal does not suffer from disorders of the digestive tract. Zebu is also grown for milk, the fat content of which is 6%. Adult males can produce up to 83% of their body weight in meat. At the same time, the resulting product is very hard, but tasty.

How to keep and care for

African cows are easy to care for. As noted, the animals find food on their own during daily grazing. Moreover, African cows are able to eat hay, which is important in a hot climate. The stomach of local animals has adapted to hard food, and digests such food well. In addition, cows are given algae and vegetables.

Watussi, like other representatives of domesticated livestock, is able to increase body weight without requiring additional minerals or vitamin complexes. Also, small crustaceans can be included in the diet. Daily adult males consume up to 100 kilograms of food, females - up to 70 kilograms.

How they breed

Watoussi and other African cows reach puberty by nine months. But local farmers start breeding closer to two years. Estrus in females occurs once every 2-3 months.

If animals live in herds, then farmers give birth to no more than 2% of males from the total livestock. After fertilization, calves appear after 10 months. The weight of the young is 14-20 kilograms. Rarely females bear two calves.

The young are usually immediately separated from the mother, as the females aggressively protect the offspring.

Interesting facts

African cows produce 1.5 to 2 tons of milk every year. In this regard, these animals are often bred as draft animals or for meat. In Africa, the livestock population is steadily declining. This happens due to the characteristics of milk yields. The calves are brought to the mother's udder, but after a few sips they are torn off. Because of this attitude, young animals die early.

Due to the fact that the Watussi is considered a sacred animal in African tribes, each cow is bled, collecting up to four liters of blood every month, which is then used in rituals. Some peoples use the horns of these bulls as money.

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