Physical characteristics of different strains of deoni cattle

Abstract

The study to find the physical characteristics of different strains of Deoni cattle, an indigenous cattle breed native to Bidar district of Karnataka and adjacent regions, was conducted during 2018-19 on 297 Deoni cattle in 13 villages and Livestock Research & Information Centre (Deoni), Hallikhed (B) in Bidar district of Karnataka state. The findings of the study revealed that in Deoni cattle, hair length was small (69.03%), eyelid colour was black (98.99%), hump colour was white (54.21%), hump size was medium (53.20%), horn shape was curved (68.35%), poll was ‘not prominent’ (63.86%), chest was wide (85.52%), milk vein was prominent (65.32%), tail switch colour was black (37.04%), forehead shape was concave (50.85%), dewlap was large (61.62%), and naval flap was small (34.34%). Ear orientation was drooping in all three strains Deoni cattle. The three strains of Deoni cattle i.e. Balankya, Shevera and Wannera strains had significant differences in various physical characteristics – hair color, hair length, eyelid colour, hump colour, tail switch colour, horn shape, forehead shape, and milk vein.