Description and characteristics of Charolais cattle, features of maintenance
The old cattle breeds, which were bred in past centuries, have not yet lost their relevance and can compete with new varieties on equal terms. Animals are distinguished by their large size, productivity, rapid weight gain, that is, those traits that are appreciated by agricultural livestock. Consider the description and characteristics of Charolais cows, how to feed and care for animals, how to treat diseases.
Main characteristics and description of Charolais cows
The physique of bulls and cows is massive, with strongly developed muscles, the skeleton is rough, the back is even, straight. The head of the animals is medium-sized, with medium-sized horns. The neck is short and massive. The udder of cows is voluminous. The color of the Charolese individuals is whitish, with a cream shade, the coat is thin.
The main direction of breeding of the breed is meat, so individuals grow large. The growth of Charolais bulls - up to 1.65 m, cows - 1.3-1.55 m.The body length is 2.2 m, the chest girth is 1.9 m, the width is up to 0.8 m.Calves are born with a weight of 40 -45 kg, they grow quickly, adding 1-2 kg per day. Adult animals gain weight: bulls - 1-1.6 tons (maximum 2 tons), cows, on average, 600-750 kg (maximum 800 kg).
The meat yield of the Charolais breed reaches 65%. The meat is lean, tasty, with a good texture. Milk yield is up to 2.5 thousand liters per year. The fat content of milk is 4.1%.
How did it appear?
The work on the development of the Charolese breed began in the 18th century in France. The animals were selected according to the best of the best offspring of local cows and Simmental and Shorthorn bulls. The selection continued until the middle of the next century. Now the breeding of cattle is "in itself", some individuals are used to work with other breeds. The animals are hardy and durable. Bulls can be used up to 15 years, females a little less - up to 13-14 years.
Pros and cons of the breed
Breeding bulls and cows are selected, there is a breeding plan for the breed, so it is not difficult to find a purebred animal for raising.
However, despite this, the breed's apparent merits outweigh the disadvantages.
Maintenance and care
The rules for keeping Charolese cows are not much different from the rules for keeping other breeds of cattle.Bulls and cows need spacious, dry, clean, warm stalls that always have clean fresh bedding. It should be changed as often as possible, ideally every day. It is especially important that the animals are kept warm in the winter so that there are no drafts in the barn, from which the animals can get sick. 2 times a year, the barn must be disinfected by treating the walls, floors, and all equipment.
The importance of exercise can hardly be overestimated, without a walk, cows are more likely to get colds, grow worse, and productivity falls. In winter, you need to maintain a sufficient level of lighting, you need to turn on the lights in the barn in the mornings and evenings so that the total daylight hours are at least 12 hours. Artificial lighting improves the well-being of animals, increases productivity, and increases the success of insemination.
What to feed
Without proper, complete feeding, you cannot get a good cow. Only if the animal gets enough food will it be able to gain weight, which is characteristic of the breed. The diet for Charolese cattle will be different in summer and winter.
In the summer
In late spring and summer, Charolese cows can graze on fresh grass, there are branches of bushes and trees. Bulls, pregnant and lactating cows need to be fed with concentrates and root crops, give 1-2 kg of compound feed per day.
In winter
In winter, the basis of the diet is dry hay. Additionally, you need to give grain, concentrates, vegetables and root crops, silage, mixed feed. Both in winter and in summer, it is necessary to give Charolais cows mineral supplements in the form of salt, chalk, premixes.
Water
Animals should receive water 2-3 times a day, morning and evening. The water must be fresh and clean, the remains must be poured out of the drinkers so that the liquid does not stagnate. In winter, you need to warm up the water so that the cows drink warm, in summer, on the contrary, you need to give cool.
Childbirth and calf
It is noted that Charolese cows can have difficult births as the calf is born large. Therefore, you need to be present during childbirth and, if necessary, help the animal. Care must be taken to ensure that the calf drinks the colostrum after birth, as this is the key to its future health. The cows accept calves without any problems and begin to take care of them immediately after birth.
It is recommended that the calves are born in late winter or spring, then the babies will be strong, will grow, and will not get sick. The calves are left with their mothers for 8-9 months during the grazing season.
For breeding, you need to choose thoroughbred animals, bulls and cows in order to maintain the purity of the breed. In this case, relative crossing should be avoided, therefore, males and females belonging to different lines must be selected for mating. The bull-producer is intensively used for 2-3 years. When crossing Charolais bulls and females of cattle breeds, hybrids are obtained that differ in accelerated growth, size, weight, productivity.
Frequent illnesses
Charolais cows are less likely to get mastitis because the calves live next to them and drink milk. If the care of the animals is correct, they are provided with food and kept warm. If they stand in a dry and bright room, go for walks, the animals do not get sick, as they have strong immunity. Infections occur when Charolais cows are forced to stand in a dirty, damp, cold environment with poor feeding.
Treatment of diseases, as in other cattle breeds, is standard.But in order to prevent the development of diseases, animals are vaccinated and the rules of keeping and feeding are observed.
Charolese cattle have been bred for 2 centuries. During this period, the variety has not lost its valuable consumer qualities, for which it was bred. Livestock breeders are well aware of the virtues of cows. They are massive, large, early ripening. They gain weight, pay off feed, give fat milk. Charolais can be kept in households or small farms for meat and milk. The duration of keeping and using individuals is 15 years, which is considered a long period for cattle.
