Fluffy cows: breed description and characteristics, history and content

Among cattle, it is difficult to find more charming animals than fluffy little cows. Plush pets are bred exclusively for the delight of the soul and eyes. Cows do not give milk, and using animals as a source of meat is unprofitable, because the minimum cost of one calf is $6,000. Despite sky-high prices, cows are popular.

Origin

The wonderful plush cows owe their appearance to farmer Matt Lottner from Iowa. Small, like toy, animals became known in 2011. At that time, an enterprising farmer posted photos of pets on the Internet.Woolly beauties, bred by Matt Lottner, instantly won the hearts of animal lovers, but the real popularity came in 2013 after participating in the annual farm animal fair.

Evil tongues claim that the plush miracle has nothing to do with selection work. Detractors believe that the appearance of cows is achieved through the original technique of cutting and styling pet hair.

The official authorities did not recognize the breed. Decorative cows are classified as hybrid animal species. Be that as it may, the appearance of the cow is unique.

Appearance

This furry, "toy" cow cannot boast of impressive size. The tallest representatives of the fluffy family hardly reach 135 cm at the withers. Despite the modest parameters, the weight of the animal differs little from the weight of ordinary cows. The mass of the plush heifer is 500 kg, the bull is gaining 750-800 kg.

Hairy pets have a number of distinguishing features:

As befits plush creatures, the animal has no horns. This feature emphasizes the decorative appearance of the pet.
A smart cow's coat is dyed milky, red, brownish-beige, black or reddish.
The wool is soft, straight. The quality of vegetation is often compared to alpaca wool.
Broad, powerful back, rounded sides, short neck and small head give the animal's body the appearance of a massive rectangle.
The pet's magnificent body is supported by straight short legs. Dense, fluffy vegetation completely covers the surface of the animal's body from the crown to the hooves. Thanks to the total overgrowth, the limbs of the cow look like furry, neat columns.
The cow's udder is very poorly developed. The organ is only suitable for feeding a calf.
The tail of the funny animal is evenly covered with soft fur. A tassel is formed at the end of the tail.

Characteristic

Despite the fact that long-haired cows of the Highland, Dutch, Red Steppe breeds existed before, plush cows differ from their relatives. The decorative animal is completely covered with soft wool, which gives the pet the appearance of a neat voluminous rectangle. The breed was bred to draw attention to farm products and decorate the estate.

Unfortunately, the spectacular appearance of the animal does not last long. Already after the cow reaches the age of 1 year, the structure of the pet's coat changes not for the better. The plant cover of the horned beauty loses its softness and silkiness, the animal turns into a heavy, shaggy creature.The cow remains overgrown, and with good care, the appearance of the animal remains quite attractive, but the pet is not suitable for participation in exhibitions. Thanks to the docile nature, the plush cow will delight adults and children for many years.

Animals ripen late. Bulls reach their maximum weight only by 2.5 years. Heifers are ready for procreation by 38 months. The long period of development of animals is fully compensated by the duration of the reproductive age. Cows can give birth for 18 years.

Pros and cons

Toy cows leave no one indifferent, but getting yourself a cute animal is not so easy. You need to make a decision only after weighing all the pros and cons of the breed.

Pros and consBreeding unusual cows can be a profitable business. If animals win prizes at the exhibition, the owner is paid a large reward.A fluffy pet will serve as a natural antidepressant for many years and will become the pride of the owner.The cost of plush calves is extremely high. Each individual costs the buyer tens of thousands of dollars.Keeping a pet is associated with a large number of caring procedures. It takes a huge amount of time and effort to process cow wool. In addition, shampoos, balms, conditioners, inventory are very expensive.Animals are used only as a decorative decoration of the economy, a curiosity. Pets will never serve as a source of milk and meat. At the same time, cows need to be fed in the same way as ordinary cows.

The finer points of keeping plush cows

Fluffy beauties are kept in a clean, dry, warm environment. In warm weather, they are released to a separate pasture. To maintain good physical shape, pets need regular exercise.

Cow lifestyle

In normal times cows are bathed at least once a week.During the procedure, special zoo shampoos and balms must be used. Wool is dried only with a hair dryer. Otherwise, the cow's hair will fall off and lose its attractiveness. To give the fur coat a plush look, the wool must be cut regularly. For the procedure, special scissors, combs, brushes, combs and a scraper are used. Masks are made 1-2 times a week for hair care. Formulated with natural oils.

Food

The quality of pet hair, first of all, depends on a properly formulated diet. The necessary amount of nutrients, vitamins and minerals are added to the feed of cows.

Most of the cow's diet is ordinary plant food, however, to fully saturate the pet with the necessary substances, the cow is given granulated, dry food.In summer, 60% of the daily diet is fresh grass, in winter - hay. The rest comes from bone meal, mineral and vitamin supplements.

On average, the daily diet of an adult pet consists of: 8 kg of grass, 4 kg of hay or straw, 5 kg of cereals, 4 kg of root crops, 2 kg of bran, 1.5 kg of concentrates, 1 kg of cake, 1 kg of bone flour.

Care before the show

Before the responsible show at the exhibition, the pet is washed daily. Every time the wool of the cow is treated with balms, special lotions. Healing oils are rubbed into the skin. For drying, use a hair dryer with a straightening function and equipment that provides a continuous stream of warm air. The strands are styled with special sprays and varnish. For greater effect, experienced breeders use a neoprene wrap. These products give the coat of the animal a special shine and silkiness. If necessary, the pet's hair is tinted.

Rules and prospects for breeding

For breeding use he althy, developed individuals. Heifers are ready for pregnancy and childbirth only after reaching 38 months. During gestation, the cow is fed with granulated grains. Concentrated feed should consist of soy, cassava, beets, bran and brewer's yeast. When feeding offspring, special dry mixes are added to mother's milk.

Fluffy cows cannot be used as a source of milk or meat, so they are of no practical interest to ordinary livestock breeders. However, the demand and high cost of animals makes us look at cows in a different way. The price of winners of special exhibitions reaches 55-65 thousand dollars, so plush calves may well become sources of we alth.

The financial and effort costs of breeding fluffy cows are huge, but with a serious approach to business, they will certainly pay off. It should be noted that it is very difficult to acquire fluffy cows at present. There is a ban on selling animals out of state.

Diseases and prevention

Like ordinary cows, plush cows sometimes get sick.

Phlegmon corolla. The disease is an inflammation of the tissues of the hoof. Trouble overtakes the pet as a result of injury to the hooves. When pathogenic microbes enter the wound, the tissues become inflamed and swell. Treatment consists of applying alcohol compresses and washing the wound.
Laminitis. The disease is expressed in the accumulation and stagnation of blood and fluid in the affected tissues of the hoof. The animal limps, and later the sore spot takes the form of an open wound. The veterinarian trims the diseased hoof and washes out the foci of inflammation.
Viral diarrhea. With belated treatment, a dangerous disease threatens mass death of animals. The reason is a viral infection. As a result of the development of the disease, the intestines of the animal become inflamed. Treatment by a veterinarian.