Cows are mainly divided into two types: beef and dairy. But there is a variety that does not belong to any of them because of its decorative effect. The plush cow is the most amazing representative, whose appearance can amaze anyone who looks at the photo.
Plush cow
A bit of history
Cows with dense vegetation on the body have been bred for a long time. Even in the VI century, long-haired Scottish cows were mentioned, which were a symbol of the country. Due to their adaptation to harsh climatic conditions, they have grown long bangs and wool, which perfectly protects from the cold. However, plush cows are the only ones whose limbs are covered with wool.
The presence of fluffy soft fur all over the body gives the cows the look of plush toys. They were introduced for the first time by farmer Matt Lottner from Iowa in 2011. Photos of animals just blew up the Internet. In 2013, one of the pets of the famous farmer won a prize at the annual fair. Fame pushed Matt Lottner to move from breeding meat breeds to purely decorative and describe all his works in the book.
Some livestock breeders argue that the farmer did not select the breed, but only got the result by special processing, shearing and laying the wool. Before the event, the cuddly cows are really tidied up and made to look like a toy with styling products. After special treatment of the wool, gobies look larger, and cows are nicer.
Many make claims that breeds such as:
- angus;
- hereford;
- highlander.
In order for the wool to take on a beautiful, unusual look, Lotter's farm uses several types of combs with different attachments and brushes. The coat is treated with special oils, and the signature neoprene wrap is a real secret. At exhibitions and fairs, not only the condition of the wool is evaluated, but also the individual characteristics.
External data
Plush cows from Iowa come in a wide variety of colors. Their main feature is the complete absence of horns and the presence of an udder in females, not intended for milking. A wide powerful neck holds a medium-sized head, the scruff of the neck goes into an even back. The back is slightly raised. The tail is long with a shaggy brush.
The body is rectangular with round barrels. Plush cows have straight, short legs that, due to their thick wool, appear like columns. The plush breed of cows was nicknamed for unusual fluffiness. Unlike other representatives, their fur is soft and delicate, to the touch similar to plush.
Despite all their toy appearance, animals have a rather massive weight:
- heifers an average of 550 kg;
- gobies can reach 800 kg.
They are distinguished by extraordinary intelligence and quick wit. The nature of animals is kind, flexible.
How to contain
Plush cows are mainly used for all kinds of exhibitions. Their wool is a very valuable material, an analogy with alpaca wool is often drawn. In order for the animal to look attractive, it is necessary to observe the rules of keeping:
- the diet should be balanced with an obligatory complex of vitamins and microelements;
- care of the woolen cover.
Keeping plush cows is a rather painstaking job. To make them look exactly like in the photo, you need to work tirelessly on their appearance. For example, before a responsible exhibition, a plush calf spends almost the whole day in a beauty salon. A special composition of oil and vitamins is applied to the wool, after which the animal is completely wrapped in neoprene fabric.
You need to wash your pet once a week using shampoo and conditioner. Drying wool is necessary only with the help of a hair dryer, otherwise it will fall off and become unattractive. A few days before the fair, water treatments are held daily.
How much it costs and what it is used for
The price of a plush cowskin is quite high, and getting a fluffy miracle is not so simple. Today, purchases can only be made in America. The price can reach tens of thousands of dollars. In addition to buying, calves from Iowa require considerable costs for their maintenance, because their gorgeous appearance is a natural phenomenon, and the merit of the owner. If you still really want to have such a pet and are hesitant, then in defense we can say that conscientious care bears fruit. The money received at the exhibitions for the prizes, more than offset all the costs for calves.
Many people are interested in the question, why do we need "buns", because they do not give milk, eating meat is not profitable. You can keep a dog or a cat for beauty, and spend much less money.
Their main feature is a high cost. The breed remained unregistered, but its popularity is growing every day. And if before these animals could only be found in America, today not only one Russian farm can boast of their presence. Animal defenders became interested in this breed and proposed to ban their slaughter at all.
There was a proposal not to consider decorative pets as representatives of cattle, but to rank them as pets, along with cats and dogs. This experience already exists. For example, small horses that reach 20 kg can be kept in an apartment. Of course, a handsome man who weighs half a ton cannot be kept in an apartment.
Conclusion
The plush lady is one of the cattle that are bred for purely aesthetic purposes. It is unprofitable to slaughter them for meat, they do not give milk. A distinctive feature of such animals is the complete absence of horns and an udder that is not intended for milking.
plush cow plush cow
Plush cow looks like a big toy
Plush breed cows
There is a lot of controversy about the breeding of the breed. The unusual appearance and soft fur is not so much a merit of nature, but of the owners themselves, who invest a lot of effort and money in keeping pets. In recent years, Monopoly and Heat Wave breeders have been rated the most highly. For them, in the literal sense of the word, they simply fight. Calves from the lines under consideration take first places at exhibitions, which brings considerable income to the owners.