Dutch breed of cows: description and characteristics, history and content

Under the Dutch breed of cows understand one of the most ancient animals, which are characterized by a high degree of productivity. Representatives of this type of livestock are more than 300 years old. The breed was obtained in Holland with the help of purebred breeding. Subsequently, it influenced the improvement of the livestock of many breeds of cows. The indisputable advantages of animals are high productivity and unpretentiousness to the conditions of detention.

History of the breed

This breed of animal was created in the eighteenth century. She appeared in Holland. The development of animals was facilitated by a favorable climate and excellent pastures.In the nineteenth century, the Germans became interested in cows. They brought them to Germany for subsequent selection work. As a result, the East Frisian breed was created. Dutch cows have become widespread in Europe.

Cows were brought to Russia by Peter the Great. At the same time, it was possible to maintain high milk yields. Although cows are dairy, they can be used as a source of quality meat.

External characteristics and productivity of the Dutch breed

In appearance, the animals are a bit like the Belgian blue breed. However, this type of cattle is characterized by a speckled black coat. The growth of animals can be 130 centimeters. At the same time, they have low and powerful limbs and a proportional body with pronounced muscles and strong bones.

Cows have a wide chest and an elongated head. They are characterized by a straight back and a large cupped udder. All lobes are considered developed, and the nipples are distinguished by their correct location. At birth, a calf weighs 35 kilograms. The average weight of a dairy cow reaches 600 kilograms. Bulls have a large mass. Some representatives of the breed reach 1 ton.

A distinctive feature of animals is precocity. Calves are characterized by rapid growth. In this case, insemination begins as early as 14 months. Another distinctive feature of animals is cleanliness. The Dutch cow brings a lot of milk. During lactation, about 4.5-5 kilograms of milk can be obtained from a milking individual. Its fat content exceeds 4%. Cow meat is considered to be of high quality. Since they have an impressive fat mass, the slaughter yield reaches 60%.

It is important to consider that adults and newborn animals have weak immunity, so it is important to control their conditions.

Good and bad sides

Pros and consprecocity - females are ready for mating at 14-16 months;high parameters of milk and meat productivity;excellent taste qualities of milk and meat;undemanding to the diet;adaptation to different climates.insufficient resistance of calves to low temperatures;the need for quality nutrition to increase milk yield;susceptibility to certain diseases - in particular, to leukemia and tuberculosis.

Maintenance and Care

To get a lot of milk and quality meat, it is important to provide animals with the right care.

Summer walking area

Grazing is considered the standard option for keeping animals in summer. In this case, groups are formed from several dozen cows. The shepherd must control them. This grazing option provides peace of mind for the cows. At the same time, they are able to maintain excellent muscle tone. It is important to ensure that the group does not get too zealous individual. It will negatively affect the rest of the herd members. To protect the cows from the scorching sun or rain, it is recommended to equip a canopy.

Building a barn

These animals are not allowed to be leashed. Therefore, they are recommended to organize a barn in the form of boxes. In such conditions, animals can freely move around the allocated territory, eat, rest and milk.

At the same time, it is important to divide the cows into categories, highlighting young heifers, milking and dry.The number of animals in a group should be 20-40. With a small number of cows, it is enough to resettle pregnant individuals in the last stages. Newborn calves should also be kept separately. With this type of content, it is recommended to use group feeders and drinkers. They will need to be cleaned after every feeding. Straw decking is recommended every day.

Since representatives of this breed put forward special requirements for cleanliness, instead of bedding, you should use special mats that can be washed and cleaned. It is recommended to add lick s alt to temporary and stationary feeders. This substance promotes bone formation, stimulates appetite and strengthens the immune system.

Containment conditions

Dutch cows adapt well to cool climates. They are able to withstand a short period of heat, thrive in moderate weather and easily endure continental cold.

It is important to maintain a comfortable level of light in the barn. Twilight leads to the oppression of animals. At the same time, the use of modern lamps will allow high-quality lighting of the room.

Quality ventilation is also important. At the same time, drafts should be avoided. In hot weather, cows need to provide a little coolness. It will help increase milk yield.

Cleaning

Cows are highly sensitive to hygiene. Therefore, every day it is recommended to do the following:

• clean the stall;
• change bedding;
• remove feeders;
• wash the drinker;
• ventilate the room.

Preparing for milking

Animals are highly susceptible to infectious pathologies. Therefore, at the stage of preparation for milking, it is recommended to do the following:

• wash udders and teats;
• examine the udder for formations - this helps prevent mastitis or identify the disease at the initial stage of its development.

Feeding rules

The diet is usually based on mono-feed. At the same time, it must necessarily include the right amount of protein and proteins. It is recommended to gradually transfer cows to the summer version of the diet. Dutch individuals require the following foods:

• 30 kilograms of silage;
• 5 kilograms of sugar beets or carrots - every 2 days it is allowed to enter potatoes, pumpkin, zucchini into the menu;
• 6 kilos of hay;
• 1.5 kilograms of sunflower meal;
• 1 kilogram of grain or barley flour;
• 700 grams of bran - the daily amount is recommended to be divided into 3 times and given to animals in dry form or as porridge.

When grazing in a wet meadow, watering of animals does not require special attention. They can sometimes approach the drinkers to bring the volume of liquid to the physiologically necessary. At the same time, in a barn, a full-fledged water supply is of great importance. This is especially true for dairy cows. Representatives of this breed usually drink water 2-3 times a day. At the same time, it must always be fresh. Milking females are recommended to consume 70 liters of water. The so-called deadwood needs 50 liters.

Cow breeding

Heifers are characterized by a high rate of puberty. They can mate as early as 14-16 months.In this case, it is possible to use natural or artificial insemination. Every year cows give birth without problems or delays. The hunting period is observed every 3 weeks. Its beginning can be recognized by the increased anxiety of the female. She also has genital swelling and heat.

The calving process is recommended to be kept under control. If childbirth occurs in the cold season, the newborn should be wiped well and moved to a warm room. In this case, the baby needs a thick soft bedding consisting of hay and sawdust.

In the first weeks of the calf, it is recommended to drink milk up to 6 times a day. Representatives of this breed are distinguished by a high degree of susceptibility to living conditions and nutrition.

In artificial insemination, proportionality should be adhered to. It is not recommended to cover cows with a bull of a larger breed. This is especially true at the first calving. This often causes serious problems during childbirth and even causes the death of the animal.

Frequent diseases

Dutch cows are highly susceptible to leukemia and tuberculosis. That is why it is so important to monitor their well-being and monitor their he alth. In addition, with the advent of cold weather, they often face the development of mastitis. Therefore, animals necessarily require rubber mats. This helps prevent frostbite.

To avoid such dangerous pathologies as foot-and-mouth disease, brucellosis, pasteurellosis, it is important to vaccinate animals. Vaccinations also help prevent rabies and anthrax. The procedure should be performed starting from 2 months. To prevent skin pathologies, fungal or bacterial infections, it is important to treat the premises with caustic soda at least twice a year.Hydrated lime is also suitable for this.

The Dutch breed of cows is very popular with farmers. These animals are characterized by high parameters of meat and milk productivity. At the same time, to improve the quality of products, it is important to provide pets with complete care. It should be comprehensive and include good hygiene and good nutrition.

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