Scottish cow: breed description and characteristics, highland care

Scottish unpretentious cow bears little resemblance to an ordinary cow. The animal is more like a wild yak or a small buffalo. You should not expect large milk yields from a pet, although experts consider it healing. Some breeders specialize in obtaining this unique vitamin product. Most farmers breed cows as meat animals.

Characteristic of the breed

Despite their small stature, the Scottish breed is widely known as a producer of excellent meat. Muscular animals do not require special care and attention.Most of the time of the year they feed on pasture and gain up to 700 kg by adulthood. Thanks to their thick, long coat, pets easily endure the vagaries of the weather, hiding under a light canopy.

In search of food, animals literally turn over layers of soil with the help of sharp horns. Thus, animals literally plow the land. After "cultivating" the soil, the pasture is covered with young, strong vegetation. This ability helps to restore the turf after the "invasion" of the sheep.

Origin

Northern Scotland gave the world unpretentious cows. The ancestors of the modern Highlands lived in the harsh land of the Northern Scottish Highlands and the territory of the Hebrides. The highlands are famous for harsh climatic conditions, so the local cattle had rare endurance and unpretentiousness. Animals living in the highlands were distinguished by a red-brown color, while the wool of the inhabitants of the islands was dyed black.

As a result of competent crossing of these animal varieties, a highland Scottish breed of cows appeared. By the beginning of the 19th century, pets had acquired a variety of colors, but the most common was cocoa color (mojo).

Subsequently, cows spread throughout the Australian continent and in the countries of North America. As a result of selection, the animals inherited the appearance of shaggy ancestors, but greatly decreased in size. Today they look like funny miniature copies of ancient Scottish cows.

The productivity and charm of pets have melted the hearts of many European breeders. Even the Queen of Great Britain could not resist the charm of cows. The Scottish residence of Balmoral, which has long belonged to Elizabeth॥, is home to a whole herd of horned beauties.

Appearance

Animals have extraordinary appearance. The combination of powerful physical data with a decorative appearance makes an indelible impression.

1. Strong skeletal system, broad chest and developed muscles testify to the outstanding physical strength of the pet.
2. Due to the curved ribs, the body of the cow is oval in shape.
3. The powerful legs of the pet are short, but stable. This feature allows the animal to move easily over hilly terrain.
4. The slender long neck of the animal is crowned with a large head. Bulls have a crested neck.
5. The cow's broad muzzle and strong jaws are designed to forage in mountainous terrain.
6. The forehead and eyes of the animal are covered with thick, wavy bangs. Luxurious strands serve to protect the pet from wind, sand and insects.
7. A mountain cow is able to protect itself with massive sharp horns.
8. Pets are the owners of thick wavy or straight hair. In some individuals, the length of the strands reaches 30 cm. The hairline of pets is colored beige, yellow, gray-brown, red, brownish-yellow or black.In rare cases, you can meet the original spotted individuals. Due to the unique structure of the wool, the cow is not afraid of precipitation and frost. The outer layer consists of long guard hairs, abundantly saturated with fat, the function of the inner layer is performed by a soft thick undercoat.
9. The height of miniature animals barely reaches 110-130 cm.
10. The small stature of pets is more than offset by an impressive mass. Even in adverse climatic conditions, cows can easily fatten 440-650 kg.

Productivity

Cows are not of particular interest as a source of milk, because the daily milk yield from one pet does not exceed 5 liters. Scots are bred for quality meat. Animals are sent for slaughter at the age of 2-3 years. During this period, the meat has a special taste and contains a record amount of proteins, as well as iron.

Beef is low in fat and cholesterol, making it good for people with chronic diseases. Animals over 10 years old are not suitable for slaughter.

Pros and cons of the breed

The Highland breed is ideal for the production of meat products. However, along with obvious advantages, animals have a number of significant disadvantages.

Pros and consPets are not afraid of severe weather disasters. Cows easily adapt to any conditions.Animals are unpretentious in food.Strong immunity protects cows from colds and even infectious diseases.Pets are not demanding on the conditions of detention. For good he alth, they need a spacious paddock and a canopy. Animals forage on their own.The beef tastes like game.Cows are real centenarians. Animals retain their physical form up to 20 years.Pets are known for a calm, peaceful disposition. The hostility of the cow is shown only in case of a threat to the offspring.Animals are able to restore spoiled pastures.Burenka is slowly gaining weight and gives little milk.Animals should not be bred in hot climates.The Scots need ample pastures.Cows develop slowly and reach sexual maturity late.

Maintenance and care of Scottish cows

Scottish cows tolerate cold very well and do not tolerate being kept on a leash, so before the onset of real frosts, cows spend their lives on a pasture. Protective sheds and feeders are installed on the territory of the pasture. Here, pets can find shelter at night and shelter from the rain. For calving cows and small calves, a separate shelter is made.

In no case should you pile armfuls of hay to feed cows on the ground - clumsy animals trample feed into the soil. Thus, the farmer is doomed to waste.

In winter, animals are kept in a dry, clean, ventilated barn. Highlands are not large in size, so 6 square meters is enough to comfortably accommodate one animal. m area. Cows and calves are kept at a temperature of +10-16 degrees. The bull does well in a cool room.

Stalls are equipped with hay nurseries, individual feeders and drinkers. The floor in the cow apartments is covered with a small layer of bedding consisting of hay and straw. It is recommended to equip the barn with a chute for collecting and draining manure. In this case, bedding is not provided for the animals.

The barn is regularly cleaned and ventilated by opening windows and doors. This will help to avoid harmful ammonia fumes. The procedure is performed during the daily walking of cattle.

Meeting plan

In central Russia, animals feed on crops of clover, fescue, alfalfa or perennial chaff.Having inherited the ability to graze from their ancestors, the Scots prefer coarse and juicy food. In winter, pets are given whole grains, steamed straw, hay, as well as meal, silage and cake. Animals also like fodder root crops. The grain mixture is made up of chaff of oats, corn, wheat or barley.

For the full development of pets, they are treated with additives from bone meal, ash and fish oil. In addition, cows must be given s alt.

Features of breeding

Scottish cows are self-sufficient and rarely need human help. Cows give birth and feed calves on their own, young animals are only needed in winter. Heifers reach sexual maturity by 3 years. Calving, as a rule, passes without complications. Offspring have innate immunity, so there are practically no cases of death among babies. As a rule, calves are born in February and March, so from an early age they feed on young greens.

Diseases, prevention, treatment

Scottish cows are extremely resistant to infectious and colds. Impenetrable immunity reliably resists viruses, so there are no cases of infection. Experts explain this ability by genetic properties. They are manifested in the special structure of the body and the structure of the coat of cows. The lack of contact between pets and other animals plays a big role.

In rare cases, pets injure each other during a brawl.

How to choose a good specimen and where to buy

When choosing a cow, you need to pay attention to the mucous membranes and teeth of the animal. On the mucous membranes there should be no inflammation and traces of pus. A he althy calf should be well fed and active.

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