Unusual qualities of a Scottish cow

One of the symbols of the northern state of Scotland is a Scottish cow – a cute animal with shaggy hair and a good disposition.

Content
  1. About the breed
  2. How
  3. appeared Direction and productivity
  4. Description
  5. Wool and coat
  6. Care
  7. Food <
  8. Additional information
  9. Distribution
  10. Pros
  11. Minuses
  12. Character
  13. Cost <
  14. Interesting facts

Шотландская корова

Scottish cow

About the breed

Knowing at least a little about the location of Scotland, it’s easy to guess It seems that pampered creatures, including cattle, do not belong there. They need qualities such as stamina and good health.

How appeared

Scottish cows originate from mountain cows and, directly, from Scottish cows. The former were red, characterized by large dimensions, the latter were not so large, with black fur.

The homeland of this type of cattle was the territory of the Outer Hebrides and the Highlands. These mountainous areas are notable for the fact that the weather is influenced by the Atlantic cyclone, the sun rarely shines, strong winds blow, often it rains and a lot of snow falls.

But it was in such difficult climate and landscape conditions that the Scottish highland cow, Highland, was bred.

Direction and productivity

Despite somewhat decorative appearance of the Scottish breed of cows, they are kept in order to obtain meat products. Very little milk leaves it, up to 3, a maximum of 5 liters per day, but the meat is unsurpassed.

All thanks to the dense cover that provides heating for the animal. In connection with this feature, Burenka does not need to accumulate fat so as not to freeze in winter. The meat is obtained dietary, but nutritious, and the level of cholesterol is minimal, tastes similar to game. Moreover, according to experts, it contains a lot of proteins and iron.

Description

The sizes of Scottish cows are small, the height at the withers is not more than 130 cm, and sometimes and all 110 cm. The mass of the bulls is about 600-650 kg, the calves are 400-550 kg.

The limbs are strong and short so that it is not difficult to run along the hills and mountains. The horns are sharp, curved to defend themselves from predators. The head is folded in proportion to the body. The neck is short, but straight, pronounced crest. Eyes set wide.

The back is rounded. Deep, medium chest, ribs curved.

Coat and coat

The main feature of the animals is a thick, durable coat about 30 cm long, straight or wavy, and dense soft undercoat.Sometimes, looking at their photo, especially if it is calves, the first time you can’t figure out who it is: a cow or a teddy bear. In winter they grow even stronger, but in summer, so as not to languish from the heat, they molt and throw off their “fur coat.”

Another “highlight” in their appearance is a long bang. She falls right on her face. However, it grows not just for beauty, but for protection: from insects, wind, rain, etc.

Since the beginning of the breed was laid by two different cows, their color scheme is diverse:

  • black;
  • brown, light brown;
  • white;
  • red;
  • mulberry;
  • brown.

Including animals may be spotty.

Care

Bred in less than favorable climatic conditions, Scottish high-mountain cows are able to winter in non-warmed rooms. Moreover, the cows even sleep peacefully while lying in the snow, so this cattle, except in Scotland, can be kept in different climatic zones, because it has a high adaptive characteristic. Such individuals are recommended for the temperate and northern regions.

Small canopies are erected on the farms in order not to keep the animal in the scorching sun or heavy rain. Only newborn calves and their mothers need warmth and comfort.

In addition, they are practically not peculiar to get sick. They feel best at free grazing, keeping them on their leash next to them is a bad idea.

Food

“Scotch” are satisfied with any pasture. In winter, when there is no grass in the public domain, they are given compound feed, vegetables, etc.

If the cows experience severe hunger, they can easily eat rough grass or hard shrubs. Such food is not suitable for any other livestock.

In general, the cost of their maintenance is quite low.

Additional information

For the sake of simple curiosity, as well as for those who are considering increasing the number of livestock available with one or two “Scotch” it will be interesting to learn more about them.

Distribution

In addition to their homeland, Scotland common in Australia, Canada and North America, in Central Europe, Scandinavia. But in countries that are former members of the USSR, they are rare.

Pros

The Scottish alpine breed has a lot of advantages. The main advantages have already been mentioned above, but they are not limited to this.

In addition to simple maintenance and excellent health, Scottish burenki are caring mothers, so you won’t have to worry about the safety of the young. Although the cow’s milk production is low, it’s. due to prolonged breastfeeding, the calves are strong and do not get sick. They have no genetic pathologies.

Also, the cows live for quite a while: about 25 years.They retain their reproductive capacity until almost the age of 20 and are perfectly capable of reproducing without host intervention.

The Scots meat is excellent even with a modest diet. Muscle growth is high. At the age of 2-2.5 years, the goby is ready for slaughter.

Cons

Again, this is not a dairy cow, which many see as its main drawback.

Mass gain in both the bull and the heifer is slow, so intensive feeding for quick slaughter is not about them. By the way, they eat in the open territory, therefore, if it is not possible to drive the “Scotch” to graze in the vast pasture, it is better to look for another breed.

They have good adaptability, but they are not advised to take them for too hot regions. Why torment a truly northern animal?

Character

The breed is very calm, friendly. True, it is better not to approach the only calving individual with the baby near by. As was said, their maternal instincts are well developed and, protecting the offspring, the heifers become aggressive.

Cost

Due to the fact that on the territory of Russia and neighboring states Scottish alpine cows – a rare phenomenon, then their cost is high. The amount for one individual varies in the region of $ 5,000, but the problem is that finding a breeding specimen is very difficult.

There are Scottish communities whose activities are exclusively aimed at breeding and maintaining a purebred species. A calf from such an organization costs about $ 600, an adult – $ 1200-1300.

Interesting facts

Once the Scots regarded the Highland breed as a dairy cow. Only with time, when specimens with large milk yield appeared, it became exclusively meat.

After 10 years of age, heifers consider meat to be unfit for food.

Maturation in cows occurs only after 3- x years. The weight of the newborn baby is 20-25 kg.

“Tartan” can be found in zoos as an unusual and funny animal.

These horned cattle can restore hectares of pasture: they poke their upper muzzles and sharp horns layers of soil, pinch hard grass, which makes it possible for the growth of new vegetation. Thus, protected areas in the Czech Republic, highland Scottish meadows, etc.

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Anna Evans

Author ✓ Farmer

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