Features of a hornless cow
It is difficult to find even one farm that does not have cows or calves. Firstly, these are excellent suppliers of delicious dairy products, and secondly, sources of nutritious and expensive meat. The hornless cow is an animal that is not often seen on the farm, but it is exceptional and special among cattle.
Hornless cow
A hornless cow is a hornless cattle. The horns of such pets are replaced by the so-called growths. The absence of horns does not make the livestock inferior or unhealthy, because such a physiological feature can be associated with a number of reasons.
brief information
Before proceeding to the description of hornless species, it should be noted that such can be not only cows, but also a number of other animals. "Butt" means a bump or small bump that is found on a tree or plant. In view of the similarity, bumps instead of horns in animals also began to be called `` hornless ''. A hornless cow has medium-sized horny tubercles on its head.
The main reasons why an animal may turn out to be such are:
- the influence of a person who often removes the horns on his own in order to protect himself from injuries and other troubles;
- the influence of genetics, when a cow has no horns from birth;
- the acquisition by cows of pollutants due to crossbreeding.
Modern animal husbandry is famous for its bold experiments and a number of ongoing selection works. So, as a result of one of them, livestock breeders were able to breed an artificial species of hornless animals. Despite the fact that this feature is artificial, it has long been considered a congenital trait that is inherited.
Why do they become so
The hornless species occurs at a deep gene level. A certain combination of genes leads to the fact that the breed is hornless. Since the "hornless" gene is dominant, the generation of 2 hornless animals will also come out hornless. The next will have rudimentary horns, and the third will distribute representatives of both species among themselves, but the hornless will dominate the horned ones. Interestingly, a hornless cow costs significantly less than regular cattle.
The following representatives are called hornless cows:
- Russian hornless cow - a breed that is considered the most prominent representative of the species;
- redpole;
- Aberdeen Angus;
- Swedish breed;
- East Finnish breed.
How the state in question was obtained, as well as the main differences between all representatives, can be found below.
Russian representatives
In order to recognize the Russian hornless bull, you do not need specific skills and abilities, since this is a purely black breed without the slightest inclusions and light marks. Black hornless has a meat direction of cultivation. It was bred by crossing the Aberdeen and Kalmyk breed. The Russian hornless cow is valued for its good adaptability to climatic conditions, the influence of the external environment, and resistance to various diseases. In general, the breed is about 8000 heads.According to the external characteristics, the cows of the Russian Komolaya breed are distinguished by their large size, good body constitution. The physique of the Russian hornless cow surpasses even the Aberdeen in parameters.
The distinctive characteristics of the black hornless bull are as follows:
- the only Russian beef cattle breed;
- Russian heifers and bulls are large and give a large increase in live weight, depositing less fat than imported peers;
- the hornless bull is distinguished by a rectangular body shape, a straight back, a wide, developed and large rear. The skin of a hornless bull is considered thin and quite elastic;
- the live weight of a full-grown animal is about 550 kg, while one goby reaches a weight of 1100 kg.
The biological value of meat obtained as a result of such a successful crossing is much higher than the meat products of others. The meat of Russian hornless livestock is considered dietary and maximum protein.
Aberdeen Angus representatives
The Swedish breed is represented by beef cows. Breeding takes place all over the world. Below we will consider the main features of the breed.
- A meat breed with an appropriate appearance. The bull and heifer have a fairly round body with short legs. Animals have a heavy head that is in line with the neck and shoulders. Representatives have a strong loin with large hips.
- They are considered not as large cows as the Russians, since their weight does not exceed 950 kg.
- They are distinguished by a thin skeleton.
- Meat products are distinguished by very thin layers of fat (according to this criterion, the Russians also win). 60% of meat can be obtained from one cow.
- Crossbreeding with other breeds leads to the transfer of all basic meat qualities.
Black Aberdines are common enough for breeding. Animals are resistant to low temperatures, and also tolerate changes in climate, which the Russians adopted from them.
Iowa cows
Interesting enough is not a meat or dairy breed. Iowa cows are decorative. They are not horned, nor do they have an udder, although all other traits indicate that the animal is typical of cattle. Other features of the breed include a small head with a short neck, the presence of a flat back and nape, a raised back, an elongated tail with a brush. The animal hair color is also peculiar: often the representatives of the breed are called plush because of the soft, delicate and long hair, which is difficult to maintain without special skills.
Compared to other horned and hornless cows, Iowa's value is impressive, with a single cow costing over $ 5,500. Thus, the cows in question are quite interesting specimens that deserve the attention of every farmer. Their meat products are in no way inferior to those obtained from traditional representatives of cattle, and the Russians even surpass them in some ways.