Jersey cow: description of the breed and characteristics of cattle, pros and cons

The Jersey cow can be considered one of the best, as it combines high milk production and unpretentiousness. At the same time, all its advantages were evaluated relatively recently, and only recently Russian breeders have been actively engaged in its breeding. Unfortunately, this breed cannot be called meat. The fact is that all the nutrients go to the production of milk with high fat content.

History of the Jersey cow breed

Now it is almost impossible to establish from which varieties the Jersey breed originated and when exactly it happened.However, the original habitat of cows is probably known - the island of Jersey. This territory is part of the UK and is located in the English Channel. The breeding of animals was carried out by the local population. Cows were selected in accordance with milk fat content: the higher the better.

Scientists suggest that the ancestors of the Jersey breed are certain types of Norman cows mixed with other breeds.Breeders managed to achieve unprecedented results, in connection with which a law was passed that prohibited the import of any livestock to the island. This eliminated crossbreeding with other breeds, which would lead to a decrease in milk quality.

The official registration of Jersey cows in the stud book dates back to 1866. Six years later, the authorities gave the go-ahead for the removal of livestock from Jersey and its export.

Appearance and characteristics

The main features of the breed are:

1. Compact build. At the withers, the animals reach about 1.3 meters.
2. The weight of a cow is about 400 kilograms, and the body weight of a bull reaches 700 kilograms. Calves at birth weigh 20-23 kilograms. The muscles are poorly developed.
3. Jersey breed has a red color. There are also cows with a brown color combined with dark spots.
4. The limbs are even, long.
5. The back has an arcuate curve.
6. There are skin folds on the thin and long neck.
7. The head is small, the forehead is narrow, the horns are very small or absent.
8. The sternum is narrow, shallow.
9. The tail is long.
10. The back of the body is raised.
11. Developed udder.

As for productivity, the daily volume of milk received is about 32 liters. For a year, a cow gives up to 4 thousand kilograms of product (maximum - 11 thousand).

Milk has a high fat content - from 5 to 8 percent. In addition, it has a pleasant smell and excellent taste. Due to these properties, the Jersey cow has become known as the "little dairy".

Pros and cons of the breed

Like any other breed of cattle, this breed has a number of advantages and disadvantages.

Pros and conshigh-quality milk with high fat content. This property compensates for average milk yields. The product also contains calcium and protein;good he alth;the ability to quickly adapt to a new climate;undemanding to the conditions of detention and feeding;easy childbirth due to the peculiarities of the physique;small body weight. Animals do not need large amounts of feed;hard hooves reliably protect the limbs from possible injuries.livestock does not take up much space;well-developed reproductive function;accuracy. Jerseys do not have the bad habit of trampling grass. Cows lie down on those places where the vegetation has already been eaten.lack of meat productivity;shy nature of the animal;low indicators of milk productivity;the high cost of the breed.

Rules of maintenance and care

In the summer, cows are out on the pasture all day long. In winter, animals are kept in a regular barn. Standard room requirements:

1. Fresh air through good ventilation.
2. No drafts.
3. Systematic cleaning of premises.
4. Sufficient lighting (both natural and artificial).
5. Presence of heating system.
6. No hustle and bustle nearby.
7. Regular veterinary check-ups, vaccinations.

What to feed animals

In winter, animals are fed with hay in the amount of 16 kilograms per head per day, and in the form of a supplement, compound feed, root crops, straw and concentrates are used. Since Jerseys have a compact build and are not gluttonous, they do not require large amounts of food.

It is desirable that more protein be present in the feed. This helps to increase milk production. It is also recommended to decompose s alt in the barn to make up for the lack of trace elements in the animals' bodies.

Subtleties of breeding

Cows reach puberty at two years of age. Calving passes independently and without complications, that is, human participation is not required. Calves are born weak and need special care:

1. Immediately after birth, the cub is wiped and applied to the udder (during the first hour).
2. Young animals eat only milk during the first weeks.
3. After reaching the age of one month, complementary foods (vegetables) are introduced into the diet.
4. At two months old, calves can be released to pasture. From now on, the daily rate of fluid intake should not exceed three liters.

During the first twenty days after birth, the heifer is kept on compound feed. A cow should drink boiled and chilled water no more than 2-3 times a day in small quantities.

Diseases and their treatment

The breed is resistant to pathologies, provided that the owner follows all the rules of care.If this does not happen, and also if foci of infection occur in the area where the animals are kept, cows can get sick with leukemia, leptospirosis, and actiminosis. Also, lack of hygiene leads to the development of helminthiasis.

If you notice symptoms of any disease, you should immediately contact your veterinarian. A sick animal is separated from the rest of the herd to avoid the spread of infection.

What to look for when choosing a cow

To make sure that the animal is he althy, you need to pay attention to the condition:

• udder;
• teeth;
• hooves;
• skin;
• horns;
• joints.

The following sign speaks of high productivity: the udder after milking is significantly reduced. The body weight of a dairy cow must be at least 300 kilograms. The most important sign of the high fat content of the product is the presence of sulfur mass in the ears.

Among the folk signs that indicate the good condition of the animal:

• long tail;
• large space between ribs;
• massive chest.

Prospects

Jersey is profitable to breed as a dairy breed. The meat direction is excluded, since the amount of product obtained at the exit is much less than the costs invested in this process. Therefore, it is worth fully concentrating on the dairy focus of Jersey cows.

In Russia, the breed is suitable for breeding. Jerseys do not give much milk, but the quality of the product compensates for the lack. However, if you plan to receive large volumes of cheap milk, you should choose a different breed. Jersey cows are deservedly considered one of the best dairy breeds in the world. For breeding to be effective, it is important to take into account a number of features and nuances that relate to this breed.

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