The Highland Cow - Family Bovidae
http://www.scotland-placestovisit.com/twv//articles/12/1/The-Highland-Cow---Family-Bovidae/Page1.html
By Vikara
Published on 30/03/2009
The Highland cow is an ancient cattle breed. The breed was developed in the Highlands and western coastal regions of Scotland. It is one of the oldest known breeds of cattle in the world, with records of its existence going as far back as the 12th century.
The Highland cow is an ancient cattle breed. The breed was developed in the Highlands and western coastal regions of Scotland. It is one of the oldest known breeds of cattle in the world, with records of its existence going as far back as the 12th century.
A group of cattle is usually known as a herd, but a group of Highland cattle is a fold. The breed is affectionately known as shaggy coos or Heilan’ coos. Lowland Scots often called them kyloes. It is thought that the word is possibly originated from the word kye. Kye is an old name for cow.
Highland Cattle Fun Fact - The term fold has been used since the first crofters gathered their cattle into an open enclosure or fold for protection.
Highland cattle - Photograph Courtesy of Frants.
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The Highland cow is an ancient cattle breed. The breed was developed in the Highlands and western coastal regions of Scotland. It is one of the oldest known breeds of cattle in the world, with records of its existence going as far back as the 12th century.
The Highland cow is an ancient cattle breed. The breed was developed in the Highlands and western coastal regions of Scotland. It is one of the oldest known breeds of cattle in the world, with records of its existence going as far back as the 12th century.
The
Highland cow originated from two sets of stock, one of which was
reddish, and the other one black. Traditional colours include red,
black, yellow, dun and silver-white. It is a longhorn breed, and both the male and female have horns. They
will often use their horns to clear scrub and bush to access their
grazing. Their long fringes and long eyelashes serve as good
protection against insects.
The Highland cow is known for its gentle disposition and strong resistance to disease. It is extremely hardy and has the great ability to survive through the most testing periods of the Scottish climate. The shaggy pelt offers the cow good insulation, and because of this physical feature, it has less subcutaneous fat than most cattle breeds.
The breed is not as fussy a grazer as many bovines. It is known to eat plants that other animals studiously avoid. It is ideally suited to the Scottish environment. Highland cattle on the hills are a welcome sight, and a reminder that even the harshest of living conditions can be overcome.
The female Highland cow has an exceptional mothering instinct and is highly protective. The gestation period is around two hundred and eighty-three days. A heifer may produce up to fifteen calves over a twenty year period. The calf is born small but of such a strong disposition that it is able to survive in harsh conditions immediately. It is weaned at nine months. The breed is slow maturing and a heifer will not normally have her first calf until she has reached four years of age.The Highland cow is known for its gentle disposition and strong resistance to disease. It is extremely hardy and has the great ability to survive through the most testing periods of the Scottish climate. The shaggy pelt offers the cow good insulation, and because of this physical feature, it has less subcutaneous fat than most cattle breeds.
The breed is not as fussy a grazer as many bovines. It is known to eat plants that other animals studiously avoid. It is ideally suited to the Scottish environment. Highland cattle on the hills are a welcome sight, and a reminder that even the harshest of living conditions can be overcome.
A group of cattle is usually known as a herd, but a group of Highland cattle is a fold. The breed is affectionately known as shaggy coos or Heilan’ coos. Lowland Scots often called them kyloes. It is thought that the word is possibly originated from the word kye. Kye is an old name for cow.
Highland Cattle Fun Fact - The term fold has been used since the first crofters gathered their cattle into an open enclosure or fold for protection.
Highland cattle - Photograph Courtesy of Frants.
Don't forget to leave a comment. Thanks!