Polled cow: description and characteristics, top 5 breeds and their content

Farmers who are just starting to raise cattle assume that all cows have large horns and a large build. Delving into this topic more seriously, livestock breeders begin to get acquainted with different breeds. This is how the first meeting with a polled hornless cow takes place. This is a unique animal in its external features. It is different from its relatives and seems more harmless.

What does a polled cow mean?

The complete absence of horns in cattle of both small and large species is called "hornless". This word comes from the term "butt", which means the formation of thick growths, resembling cones in shape, formed after the felling of a tree. A similar neoplasm exists on the head of a polled cow, which, in principle, is born and develops without horns. There are several reasons for their absence, but it is typical for this breed - this is a genetic feature.

Single specimens of animals are purposefully cut off the horns. This fate overtakes cattle, which have problems with behavioral habits. Breeders do this manipulation to protect their herd. An animal without horns is safer for its relatives.

Polledness is the result of the work of breeders. Breeding allows farmers not only to protect other animals from the herd, but also save on the absence of the need to cut the horns. In addition, this is an excellent meat breed that gives milk in smaller portions, but it is valued higher in quality and fat content.

Varieties

Many do not know what kind of polled cow it is, what are its features, since there are also similar features with ordinary cattle. In fact, this type of animal appeared in Russia at the beginning of the 21st century due to the crossing of the Kalmyk breed with the Aberdeen Angus.

Aberdeen Angus

This type of cow appeared in the 19th century. The animal is actively bred in the USA, Russia. This is a meat breed of cows with characteristic differences. She has:

black paint;
rounded sides;
wide massive chest;
highly deployed part of the femur;
big head;
thick neck.

An adult male animal weighs 1,000 kilograms, while a female weighs 650 kilograms.

Pros and consThe meat of this animal is tender and its yield is about 60% of the total weight.The layers of fat are minimal.If you cross a cow of the Aberdeen-Angus breed, then the meat properties will not deteriorate.This type of cattle responds well to climate change and even the owner.gives little milk;whimsical in care.I like it I don't like it

Redpole

This type of cow originated in 19th century England by mixing chestnut and red dairy hornless breeds. If we talk about how much milk a polled cow gives, then this type allows the farmer to receive approximately 4600 liters per year.

Modern cattle is characterized by a red color. The weight of a bull reaches 950, and a cow - 600 kilograms. The meat of these representatives of cattle retains excellent taste. It is tender and almost non-greasy.

Pros and conshigh-quality and practically dietary meat;no difficulties in breeding;calving occurs regularly for 10 years.additional feeding is needed;the cow does not give enough milk for the farmer;proper care is important.I like it I don't like it

Iowa polled cow

This type of animal was bred in the USA. A local farmer created a decorative cow especially for taking part in the fairs. These hornless animals were distinguished not only by the complete absence of horns, but also of the udder. Outwardly, they are similar to plush toys, just as small in size, with thick and soft to the touch wool. The color of the cow can be the most unusual.

Among the features of the breed:

voluminous hair that makes the head seem very small compared to the torso;
long tail with a tassel at the end;
small size of the animal;
short neck;
back without curves, like a longitudinal line.

These decorative animals in America cost about 5 thousand dollars.

Pros and consunusual appearance of the animal, with which you can participate in exhibitions;compact size of the cow;excellent meat performance.the cost of livestock for the purchase;insufficient milk production;the need for additional care.I like it I don't like it

Russian polled

This domestic type of cattle was bred specifically for maximum meat production. The Russian polled breed of cows was obtained by mixing Aberdeen Angus and Kalmyk type of cows. This is a successful experiment of breeders. Now the livestock is 8 thousand individuals.

The animal is developing rapidly. Your weight gains constantly throughout life. To cross a young komologo bull with a dairy-type cow, it is necessary that its weight be no more than 1200 kilograms. It must be a strong animal. The first calving of a polled cow will appear in 2 years.

Russian polled breed is characterized by:

wide chested;
strong straight legs;
elastic skin;
strong physique;
black;
wide back;
large-sized body;
with a medium head.

Hornless animals are small in stature. From the outside, they look more like a barrel. Cows that have reached the age of 15 months are considered adults.

This breed gives offspring for 10-11 years. At the same time, the cow has little milk.Enough of it only for feeding the young. The fat content of milk is 5%. Newborns are born with a weight of no more than 40 kilograms, but they are gaining it at an active pace, about 1 kilogram per day. Therefore, often calves have a weight of 80-85 kilograms by the age of 3 months. Animals rarely get sick. Excellent adaptability to living conditions. The polled cow has advantages over its relatives.

Pros and consthe animal is 70% meat, in which there is a small percentage of fat and a lot of protein;Russian polled is highly fertile;calves have good immunity;cows quickly get used to the new conditions.low milk production;it is necessary to constantly monitor the diet;the cost of an animal to purchase for the purpose of breeding.I like1 Dislike

Eastern Finnish

This is a dairy breed. For 1 day, she gives up to 7 liters with a milk fat content of 5%. The Eastern Finnish cow constantly needs fresh and juicy grass. This rule is important to follow if the farmer wants to get a good milk yield. A warm barn is built for a polled cow. They make sure that in winter the air temperature does not fall below 7 degrees Celsius.

Among the characteristics of a cow:

body weight - 500 for a cow, 700 kilograms for a bull;
there is an udder that is well developed and outwardly similar to a bath;
light brown coat color, sometimes with white spots on the belly.

A hornless cow provides an excellent opportunity for a farmer to develop his own business for the sale of high-quality and fat milk.

Pros and consfast weight gain;high quality and fat content of milk;meat of incomparable taste.the need for additional feeding;the need for regular care;the importance of keeping in a barn.I like it I don't like itFinal ranking tableRussian polledoneAberdeen AngusredpolePolled cow from IowaEastern Finnish

Advantages and disadvantages

Hornless breeds do not pose a risk of injury to the herd. Many of them are quite unpretentious in care. All they need is a stall. But you can do without it. In the diet, polled animals are unpretentious and need only a large amount of grass.If it is absent sufficiently, then other types of food can be dispensed with. Polled cows are stress resistant. They are not afraid of a change of ownership or bad weather.

As for the disadvantages, polled breeds of cows are not able to defend themselves against cattle or predators. The absence of a horn on a female seems less attractive to the bull, so it is more difficult for them to compete with other representatives of the herd.

Containment conditions

Animals of this species do not need additional care. They can live both in a stall and without it. Travel long distances if necessary. Live outside when it's warm. A breeder should remember that when dealing with polled cows, it is necessary to monitor their proper nutrition, hygiene and regularly visit the veterinarian, according to the schedule.

To make the animals feel more comfortable, in the summer it is worth making a canopy for them, which will create a shadow, and in the winter, take care of regular cleaning. The barn must be dry.

Cattle should be washed regularly, especially the trunk, hooves. To do this, use special brushes. Acceptable water temperature is 17 degrees.

Food

The animal adapts to different foods. Changing food won't hurt him. You can add artificial top dressing to grass and hay, for example, compound feed. At the same time, polled breed grazing lasts approximately 10 months a year.

It is important not to forget about the mode of drinking water. An adult, like a young one, will not be able to live without it for a long time.

Diseases and prevention

To prevent the occurrence of diseases, you need to visit the veterinarian regularly. In these animals, the most common diseases are related to the lungs and esophagus.Polled cows have bronchitis. They happen because of drafts, cold, untimely replacement of bedding, moisture in the barn.

If artificial additives are not ground properly, then the animal may have a blockage in the esophagus. This condition is characterized by overexcitation of the animal, foam at the mouth. Immediate veterinary attention required.

Infectious diseases are prevented: they do a blood test and a number of necessary vaccinations. Polled cows provide excellent meat and milk. To get he althy food after slaughter, you must adhere to the rules for keeping animals and observing the diet.