Good day to our dear readers! Have you thought about what should be the best breed of cows?
Of course, everyone would like to have in their farm such a breed of cows, which gave the maximum benefit at the lowest cost. But this breed is and it is called Jersey.
If you suddenly doubt this, then this article should dispel your doubts. Perhaps you immediately thought that this breed was bred in America in the state of New Jersey, but this is not the case. This breed is European.
All the main features and distinctive features of this breed you will learn in today's article.
External features Jersey breed
Before we begin to talk about the breed itself, we will clarify its history.
Jersey breed belongs to one of the most ancient breeds. The breed was named in honor of the English island of Jersey, as this island is its homeland. The Jersey breed was so pleased with their owners that the importation of other breeds was forbidden to this island.
Burenkov of this breed is given very fat milk.
How this breed was bred is unknown, since all documents were lost. Scientists suggest that it took two or three breeds to create this breed. Jersey cows in their climate kept on pastures, so it was bred in large quantities.
For over a hundred years, this breed has been studied and monitored, its content has improved throughout this period of time. The locals made a large amount of butter from the Jersey cow milk and then sold it for a high price.
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the first book dedicated to the Jersey breed was published. This book has become very popular in many countries, which influenced the increase in sales of this breed throughout the world. However, it became the most popular in countries such as America, Africa and New Zealand.
Some farmers think the Jersey breed is not suitable for our climate. And its productivity will decrease when maintained in our area. But if you provide the breed with good care and proper maintenance, then the dairy indicators of heifers can reach 17 liters per day, and in adult cows up to 30 liters, and the fat content of milk will be about 8%.
What does the Jersey breed look like? Characteristic appearance
Jerseys breed of cows is a small breed.
Jersey breed refers to the dairy type, and this indicator left its mark on its appearance.
The color of the suit in most cases is light brown, less often red, but sometimes it is also a dark shade. Groin and dark color udder. On all the limbs and in the lower part of the body there are white specks. The front part of the body is darker than the back.
The nose mirror of the breed is dark, with blond hair. Males have a darker shade than females, and sometimes there is a black band in the middle of the back.
Since the breed refers to the dairy type, therefore, the backbone of her light, slightly angular and longish.
The external feature of this breed is a small head size with large disproportionate arcs.
The neck of the breed is very thin with sagging folds, and the back looks slack at the back. The breed's tail is slightly raised. Withers high and sharp.
Udder of large sizes of the cup-shaped form with correctly arranged cylindrical nipples, which gives convenience when working with it.
Measurements Jersey breed following:
- The average height of the Jersey breed on average is up to 123 centimeters at the withers.
- Chest deep in girth is about 65 centimeters, but not wide about 38 centimeters. Small dewlap.
- The dimension of the pastern in the girth is up to 16.5 centimeters.
How to breed a Jersey breed?
Jersey breed is not whimsical to the conditions of detention, the breed is very accurate, so you can graze it in any territory, they will not spoil it.
Sexual maturity of the breed is rather early and therefore already in the third year of its life, cows are able to produce the first calving. With the generic activity of the breed no problems.
Calves are born very small and fragile.so they need attention. When a calf is born, it must be placed on a blanket and placed next to the face of the cow, in order for the cow to lick it.
But if this does not happen, the calf must be wiped with straw. After about fifteen minutes, you need to pick up the calf from the cow and give it a little rest.
Jerseys cows colostrum is very smalltherefore it is worth giving his calf a drink. After the genus burenka need to pay attention most of all it concerns her milking.
In the first four days it is necessary to milk the cow about five times a day. Then during the week at least four times a day. Next, reduce to three times a day, and then go into a normal milking mode.
Feed the cow after childbirth is especially necessary. For the first fifteen days, the cow should be given only feed, only after that it is necessary to gradually switch to normal diet. It is necessary to water the cow twice a day, but if you suddenly notice that the udder is swollen, then the amount of water must be reduced.
Milk for a calf should not be regretted, the more he drinks, the healthier and stronger he will be in the future, the gobies of milk need to be given less than calves. After the first week of life, the calf can be added to the diet a little hay. And after the first month of life, you can add purely washed vegetables.
After two months of the calf's life, it is already possible and not to take care of its small ventricle. If you feed calves correctly, it will be good to digest different foods.
It is necessary to remember that young calves can be given a lot of hay, but there is no more than three liters of water at a time.
If you follow all these immodest rules, you can count on excellent milk yield.
It is also interesting to read about fattening of cattle.
Positive breed characteristics
- Jersey breed gives very high milk yield, with high fat content.
- This breed perfectly acclimatizes and adapts to different conditions of detention.
- Jersey's cow breed is very calm and quiet.
- Breed possesses high precocity.
- Jersey breed is very beneficial in content.
According to first impressions, the external characteristics are quite positive, but several drawbacks should be noted. All the disadvantages of the breed are in the wrong set back, as well as cows fearful nature, because of this, the cows get used to their new owner for a very long time.
What are the opportunities for Jersey cows?
The peculiarity of this breed of cows is its big milk yield, and they are really very big. The annual milk yield from one female cow per year is about 4,500 kilograms, and with the right content and feeding of the breed, milk yield can reach 11,000 kilograms, the milk fat content is up to 8%.
Dairy productivity Jersey cows largely depends on climatic indicators.
The heifers of the described breed give about eighteen liters per day, and adult cows can produce up to thirty liters per day. The milk color of the Jersey cows is yellowish with coarse fat globules. Cream emerges quickly, creating a clearly visible border with skimmed milk.
The taste and smell of milk is very pleasant and delicate.
Indicators of meat productivity are not very high, due to the fact that the breed is dairy.
Weight characteristics Jersey breed:
- Newborn calves are born with a weight of about 18-22 kilograms.
- Weight Jerseys Buren is about 360-400 kilograms.
- The weight of Jersey gobies is about 600-700 kilograms.
