Charolais breed: description and characteristics, features of maintenance and disease

Old breeds of cattle, which were bred in past centuries, have not lost their relevance and can compete with new varieties on an equal footing. Animals are distinguished by their large size, productivity, rapid weight gain, that is, those traits that are valued in agricultural livestock. Consider the description and characteristics of Charolais cows, how to feed and care for animals, how to treat diseases.

Main characteristics and description of Charolais cows

The physique of bulls and cows is massive, with strongly developed muscles, the skeleton is rough, the back is even, straight.The head of the animals is medium-sized, with medium-sized horns. The neck is short, massive. The udder of cows is non-voluminous. The color of the Charolais individuals is whitish, with a creamy tint, the coat is thin.

The main breeding direction of the breed is meat, so individuals grow large. The growth of Charolais bulls - up to 1.65 m, cows - 1.3-1.55 m. Body length - 2.2 m, chest girth - 1.9 m, width - up to 0.8 m. Calves are born weighing 40 -45 kg, grow quickly, adding 1-2 kg per day. Adult animals gain weight: bulls - 1-1.6 tons (maximum 2 tons), cows, on average, 600-750 kg (maximum 800 kg).

Charolais meat yield reaches 65%. The meat is lean, tasty, with a good texture. Milk yield is up to 2.5 thousand liters per year. The fat content of milk is 4.1%.

How did you get there?

Work on the development of the Charolais breed was started in the 18th century in France. Animals were selected according to the best of the best method from the offspring of local cows and Simmental and Shorthorn bulls.The selection continued until the middle of the next century. Now the breeding of cattle is "in itself", some individuals are used to work with other breeds. Animals are hardy and differ in duration of use. Bulls can be used up to 15 years, females a little less - up to 13-14 years.

Pros and cons of the breed

Pedigree bulls and cows are selected, there is a breeding plan, so finding a thoroughbred animal for rearing is not difficult.

Pros and conslong-term weight gain;precocity and rapid growth;good payback of feed and acclimatization to various conditions of detention;rich gene pool, stable heredity;lean meat and little fat, the meat does not spoil for a long time;long-term productivity.back softness;looseness of the constitution;roof-shaped sacrum;difficult birth in cows.

However, despite this, the obvious advantages of the breed outweigh the disadvantages.

Maintenance and Care

The rules for keeping Charolais cows are not much different from the rules for keeping other breeds of cattle. Bulls and cows need spacious, dry, clean, warm stalls that always have clean, fresh bedding. It should be changed as often as possible, ideally every day. It is especially important that the animals are kept warm in winter so that there are no drafts in the barn that can make the animals sick. 2 times a year, the cowshed needs to be disinfected, treating walls, floors, and all equipment.

In addition to the stalls in which bulls and heifers will live, a walking area should be organized near the barn, where animals can walk in the fresh air under the sun.

The importance of exercise can hardly be overestimated, without walking cows are more likely to get colds, grow worse, productivity drops. In winter, you need to maintain a sufficient level of lighting, you need to turn on the light in the barn in the mornings and evenings so that the total daylight hours are at least 12 hours. Artificial lighting improves the well-being of animals, increases productivity, and increases the success of insemination.

What to feed

Without proper, complete feeding, you can't get a good cow. Only if the animal receives enough food, it is able to work up the mass that is characteristic of the breed. The diet for Charolais cattle in summer and winter will be different.

Summertime

In late spring and summer, Charolais cows can graze on fresh grass, there are branches of shrubs and trees. Bulls, pregnant and lactating cows need to be fed with concentrates and root crops, give 1-2 kg of feed per day.

In wintertime

In winter, the basis of the diet is dry hay. Additionally, you need to give grain, concentrates, vegetables and root crops, silage, compound feed. Both in winter and summer, it is necessary to give Charolais cows mineral supplements in the form of s alt, chalk, premixes.

Water

Animals should receive water 2-3 times a day, morning and evening. The water should be fresh and clean, the remains should be poured out of the drinkers so that the liquid does not stagnate. In winter, you need to heat the water so that the cows drink warm, in the summer, on the contrary, you need to give cool water.

Childbirth and calf

It is noted that Charolais cows can have difficult births, as the calf is born large. Therefore, you need to be present at the birth and, if necessary, help the animal.It is necessary to ensure that the calf drinks colostrum after birth, as this is a guarantee of its future he alth. Cows accept calves without any problems and begin to take care of them immediately after birth.

It is recommended that calves be born in late winter or spring, then the babies will be strong, grow, and not get sick. Calves are left with their mothers for 8-9 months during the grazing season.

For breeding, you need to choose thoroughbred animals, bulls and cows, in order to maintain the purity of the breed. At the same time, inbreeding should be avoided, therefore, for mating, males and females belonging to different lines must be selected. The sire bull is intensively used for 2-3 years. By crossing Charolais bulls and female cattle breeds, hybrids are obtained that are characterized by accelerated growth, size, weight, and productivity.

Frequent diseases

Charolais cows are less likely to get mastitis because the calves live next to them and drink milk. If the care of the animals is correct, they are provided with feed and kept warm. If they stand in a dry and bright room, go for walks, the animals do not get sick, as they have strong immunity. Infections appear when Charolais cows are forced to stand in a dirty, damp, cold room, with poor feeding.

Treatment of diseases, like in other breeds of cattle, is standard. But in order to prevent the development of diseases, animals are vaccinated and the rules of keeping and feeding are observed.

Charolais cattle have been bred for 2 centuries. During this period, the species has not lost valuable consumer qualities for which it was bred. Livestock breeders are well aware of the virtues of cows. They are massive, large, precocious. They gain weight, pay off feed, give fat milk. Charolais individuals can be kept in the household or on small farms for meat and milk.The duration of keeping and using individuals is 15 years, which is considered a long time for cattle.

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