IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF DWARF CATTLE AVAILABLE IN DINAJPUR DISTRICT

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken to study the morphometric, productive and reproductive characteristics of Dwarf cattle available in Dinajpur District. The data obtained from 200 Dwarf cattle of different categories (yearling bull, adult bull, heifer, cow, male calf and female calf). A wide variety of coat colors among the cattle of the selected areas were found. Out of 200 cattle 54.5, 13.5, 12.0, 20.0 and 4.0% were red, black, white and brown coat color, respectively. The body is small, compact and less fleshy. The head length and width ranges from 20.9, 9.21 cm in male calves and 39.6, 15.9 cm in adult bulls. The ear length and width ranges from 11.5, 7.29 cm in male calves to 17.7, 10.6 cm in adult bulls. The horn length and diameter were 3.25, 8.67 cm in yearling bulls and 5.74, 8.21 cm in cows. The neck length and width were 19.4, 20.6 cm in male calves to 40.9, 37.6 cm in adult bulls. The body lengths were 49.8 cm in male calves and 89.7 cm in cows. The wither height were 63.1 cm in male calves and 92.2 cm in cows. The heart girth were 67.4 cm in male calves and 120.3 cm in cows. The fore leg and hind leg length were 37.8, 41.7 cm in female calves to 56.3, 60.5 cm in cows. The tail length and diameter were 35.8, 7.83 cm in female calves to 79.2, 12.7 cm in adult bulls. The average teat length and diameter was 3.25, 4.88 cm in heifers and 4.37, 5.20 cm in cows. The distance between fore teats and rear teats were 5.88, 4.0 cm in heifers and 5.71, 4.28 cm in cows. The length and width of testis was 15.7, 11.1 cm in yearling bulls and 16.6, 11.6 cm in adult bulls. The average weight of testis was 104.1 g in yearling bulls and 110.6 g in adult bulls. The live weight were 21.7 kg in male calves and 120.8 kg in cows. The daily milk yield of Dwarf cows was 1.70 liters per day. The lactation length, gestation length, calving interval, dry period and post partum heat period were 240.0, 275.8, 408.6, 190 and 110.6 days, respectively. The age at first heat was 19.1 month and service per conception was 1.62. The most important feature about Dwarf cattle was its adaptability to harsh environment of Dinajpur District. It could survive in high and cold temperature of North Bengal. The cattle were highly disease resistant. The Dwarf cattle in Dinajpur District are comparatively smaller in size than most of the recognized breeds or types of cattle, however coat color showed sizeable variation. The data generated for Dwarf cattle in Dinajpur District would be useful to characterize them.