Mini-cow: description of the top 7 dwarf breeds and their popularity in Russia

It is known that cows are large animals that can reach from half a ton to a ton of weight. However, there are breeds of mini-cows that can be kept as pets due to their small size. Consider the description and characteristics of several of their varieties, the rules for choosing, in what conditions to keep and how to care for animals.

Features of mini cows

It is believed that dwarf cows first appeared in the last century in India, the bulk of the livestock is now concentrated in Australia. They are smaller than their ordinary relatives, the height at the withers is not higher than 1 m.Of course, they are unsuitable for an apartment, but in a private house they can also be kept as pets. The appearance of mini-cows is almost no different from the type of large cows, such animals can be milked, they are able to produce up to 3 liters of milk per day. Adult individuals are distinguished by good he alth, resist viral diseases, they have strong immunity from birth.

Dwarf cows are bred on farms for milk and meat. They are distinguished by fertility, undemanding to food and care, calm and non-aggressive, do not need grazing on pasture.

Pros and cons

Pros and consMany breeds, such as Dexter, can be grown for meat and dairy products at a lower maintenance cost than traditional livestock production.Small animals are easier to handle, they do not require large areas for keeping, they do not consume much food, and at the same time they give weight gain.Mini-cows can be milked, milk yield, of course, cannot be compared with milk yield from ordinary cattle, but for animals of this size they are considered normal, the milk is fat.rarity, because of which you need to try to find where to buy animals;high price.

This is why dwarf cows have not yet become popular.

Most popular representatives

Several breeds of mini-cows have been bred, representatives of which differ in appearance, exterior and other characteristics. Let's take a look at some of them.

Palsho

The breed was bred in Sweden relatively recently, in 2002. It belongs to one of the most dwarf breeds.

Pros and consanimals have an excellent appetite, eat grass well;active, mobile;insensitive to cold.non-distribution due to the fact that the breed is new;it is difficult to find breeding farms.

Cows have small horns, colors: black, gray and red. Can give up to 3 liters of milk per day.

I like it I don't like it

Yakut mini-cows

Bred in Yakutia, grown for the production of meat and full-fat milk.

Pros and consthe milk fat content of these cows is 11%, which is considered a record figure;milk yield from Yakut cows is also impressive - each individual can give 5-6 liters of milk;animals are picky about food;tolerate low temperatures, can stand on the street in severe frosts, with proper care they do not get sick.large head relative to the body;poor heat tolerance.

Weight of cows - up to 200 kg, height - up to 1 m. Yakut cows can also be kept for decorative purposes, like pets.

I like it I don't like it

Angus mini cows

Bred in Scotland, in the county of Anguss from local domestic stock of normal size. Animals are black in color, but they can also be red.

Pros and consmeat-type body structure;the character is calm and flexible;a distinctive feature is marble-type meat.not suitable for mass production of meat;without preventive measures can be affected by infectious diseases.

Weight reaches 250 kg, height - up to 1 m.

I like it I don't like it

Krasnogorbatov mini-cows

The mass of cows is up to 350 kg, they are not as miniature as the rest.

Pros and consthey are hardy, unpretentious in nutrition, care;profitable in content;don't get sick.moderately developed muscles;underdeveloped udder.

The birthplace of the breed is the Nizhny Novgorod region. Animals of red color, from them you can get meat and milk. Milk yield is 10-15 liters with a milk fat content of 4.3%.

I like it I don't like it

Zebu

Subspecies of cattle, originally from Sri Lanka.

Pros and conshave long hair that protects them from insect attacks;animals are calm in nature;they can be kept on pasture, undemanding to the composition of the feed;milk yield from zebu - 3 liters of milk per day.do not tolerate cold;exoticism.

They are as tiny as other mini cows, they are 90 cm tall.

I like it I don't like it

Vechur

These are the smallest cows of all such breeds. Height at the withers - up to 80 cm, weight - up to 90 kg.

Pros and conscalm in nature;gracefully built;Vechur calves do not get sick and do not die at an early age.do not tolerate cold;have fine fur.

Animals bred in India.

I like it I don't like it

Highland

Pros and consanimals are hardy, productive, resistant to cold;they have a strong build, long hair;can live outdoors in winter;unpretentious to food, can eat from pastures;differ in milk productivity, high protein content in milk.cannot be kept constantly on a leash, animals begin to lose weight;you need space to graze.

Weight of cows - 450 kg, bulls - 700 kg. Suit red, brown, black.

I like it I don't like itFinal ranking tablePalskhoYakut mini cowsangus mini cowsKrasnogorbatovskiye mini-cowsZebuVechurhighland

Popularity in Russia

Mini cows are not popular, mostly because of the high cost. In addition, due to their origin, they require climatic conditions that are not always found in Russia, such as warmth and humidity.

Therefore, many farmers are in no hurry to acquire such animals, preferring ordinary ones.

Selection criteria

When buying, you need to pay attention to the fact that the calf or adult cow meets the breed characteristics, exterior standards and characteristic color.Animals must be completely he althy, properly developed. If this is an adult cow, and it is supposed to be kept for milk production, you need to clarify what the volume of her milk production is.

Where to buy and how much?

In Russia there are breeding farms where mini-cows are raised. For example, they are in the Moscow, Yaroslavl regions. The price of an animal can vary depending on the breed and is 50 thousand rubles -10 thousand dollars

Of course, the cost of calves and cows cannot be called affordable, so miniature cows are often purchased as decorative animals.

Care and maintenance

Despite their size, mini-cows remain the same cows as large relatives. Because care is standard. You need a warm, cozy, dry and bright room where the animals will live, and a place for a walk. You can graze in a small area.

Mini cows are easier to care for as they are smaller than regular cattle. Grooming is cleaning the skin and hooves, cleaning the litter, airing the room. You need to feed dwarf cows the same as ordinary cows - hay, green grass, grain, root crops, give water 2-3 times a day. Due to their size, dwarf animals are able to consume less feed than normal cattle. In summer, they can do with grass in the pasture and fertilizing with concentrates; for winter maintenance, you need to prepare hay and grain.

In order for animals not to get sick, it is necessary to carry out veterinary examinations in a timely manner, vaccinate against infections, and treat them if necessary. Mini cows can replace regular sized livestock as they are raised for meat and milk. You can keep them as pets, for example, in families with children. It is convenient to keep them in a private house, where there is a suitable room for keeping and a grazing area.

Miniature breeds have many advantages, the main of which are undemanding, cost-effective maintenance, good milk yield, milk with a high percentage of fat. The only drawbacks are that the representatives of the breeds are not cheap and that the breeds are rare and not common.

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