Features of the plush cow
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, the appearance of which 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. Back in the 6th century, long-haired Scottish cows were mentioned, which were the 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 first introduced by Iowa farmer Matt Lottner in 2011. Animal photos just blew up the internet. In 2013, one of the pets of the famous farmer won a prize at the annual fair. Glory 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 received the result only by special processing, shearing and styling of the wool. Before the event, the plush 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 people 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 various attachments and brushes. The hair 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 that is not intended for milking. A wide powerful neck holds a medium-sized head, the scruff of the neck goes into a flat back. The back is slightly raised. The tail is long with a shaggy tassel.
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 so for its unusual fluffiness. Unlike other representatives, their fur is soft and delicate, it feels like a plush.
Despite all their toy appearance, animals have a rather massive weight:
- heifers on average 550 kg;
- gobies can reach 800 kg.
They are distinguished by their extraordinary intelligence and ingenuity. 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 is often drawn with alpaca wool. To make the animal look attractive, you must follow the rules of maintenance:
- the diet should be balanced with an obligatory complex of vitamins and minerals;
- care of the woolen cover.
Keeping stuffed animals 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.
It is necessary to wash your pet once a week using shampoo and conditioner. You only need to dry the fur with 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 cow is quite high, and getting yourself a fluffy miracle is not so easy. To date, a purchase can only be made in America. The price can reach tens of thousands of dollars. In addition to the purchase, calves from Iowa require considerable expenses for their maintenance, because their gorgeous appearance is an unnatural 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 pays off. The money received at the exhibitions for the prizes, more than offset all the costs for calves.
Many are interested in the question, why do we need "buns", because they do not give milk, eating meat is unprofitable. You can keep a dog or a cat for beauty, and spend much less money.
Their main feature is their high cost. The breed remained unregistered, but its popularity is growing every day. And if earlier these animals could be found only in America, then today more than one farm in Russia can boast of their presence. Defenders of animals became interested in this breed and proposed to ban their slaughter altogether.
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 ladybird is one of the representatives of cattle, which is bred for purely aesthetic purposes. It is not profitable 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.
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 the maintenance of pets. In recent years, Monopoly and Heatwave 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 occupy the first places at exhibitions, which brings considerable income to the owners.