Farmers most often breed cows of meat or dairy breeds. But there are those who prefer to engage in decorative animals. For this reason, plush cows are found in some farms. The owners are very kind to these animals, since they agree to daily burdensome care for the hair of individuals and constant control over their diet.
Plush KRS
Characterization
Longhair cows have been bred for a very long time. Initially, hairy cows were known to everyone as a symbol of Scotland. They were bred solely for the purpose of obtaining meat. The distinctive features of individuals were formed taking into account the harsh climate of their habitat. These animals have long hair and thick bangs. But only a plush cow has hair on its legs as well.
Origin
This unusual breed appeared about ten years ago in the United States. Officially, it was first bred by a farmer from Iowa named Matt Lautner. It all started with the fact that he decided to give his well-fed pets the look of a cute plush toy. The shaggy cow appeared as a result of crossing meat breeds:
- Angus;
- Hereford;
- Highland.
Highland
Shaggy individuals are strikingly different from ordinary cows. But officially the plush breed does not exist, since its representatives are considered a cross or hybrids. And there are still rumors that these animals were not specially bred, but simply cut and combed in a special way. But scientists continue to work on breeding a pure species.
These unusual animals are regular participants in exhibitions, where they always get the highest scores. But adults do not look so attractive, so all the laurels go to the calves.
Appearance
Plush cows from Iowa look very peculiar. Individuals have a medium-sized head, which completely lacks any hint of horns, a long tail with a fluffy tassel at the end, a massive neck that turns into a wide ridge, and very short limbs that look like low thick columns. The body of a cow resembles a rectangle in outline, but at the same time the animal is very graceful and graceful. The growth of individuals at the withers is no more than 135 cm. But they weigh decently: bulls up to 800 kg, females up to 550 kg.
The main advantage of a fluffy cow is thick long hair, soft to the touch, and tactilely reminiscent of plush. But in order for the pile to remain smooth, it is necessary to monitor the nutrition of the animal from birth. Also, wool requires special care on a daily basis, otherwise it falls into untidy clumps.
Plush cows can have a variety of colors:
- black and white;
- red brown;
- white-brown;
- milky brown;
- the black.
Plush cows can have a variety of colors
Productivity
Another feature of a shaggy cow is a small udder not intended for milking. That is, this breed is not capable of producing milk. Females produce it exclusively for feeding their young. And those volumes of milk are hardly enough for babies. But the meat of animals is very even possible to eat. But this is not facilitated by the decorativeness of the breed and its high cost. Although some gourmets do not refuse the meat of shaggy cows. But the breeders who make money on this are seriously concerned that animal rights activists are actively opposed to keeping a decorative and expensive breed of cattle exclusively for slaughter.
Farmers breed plush cows for beauty and their own pleasure. After all, it is very difficult to take care of individuals, you cannot get milk and meat from them, and their cost is very high. Fans of shaggy individuals hope that the plush cow will soon officially be called a breed, and not a cross or hybrid. In the meantime, animals participate in exhibitions and take first place.
