Kangayam
The Kangayam cattle conform largely to the Southern Indian Mysore type, thought
there is evidence of the blood of the gray-white Ongole cattle in their composition.
Possibly this mixture has given the breed its larger size in comparison with
other cattle of the Mysore type. This breed, in its native area, is also known
by other names of Kanganad and Kongu though the name Kangayam is well-known.
These cattle are bred in the southern and southeastern area of the Coimbatore
district of Madras State in India. It is observed that there are two varieties
of Kangayam cattle, one small and the other large. The smaller variety is found
to be more numerous in the Kangayam, Dharampuram, Udmalpet, Pollachi, Paddadam
and Erode subdivisions, while the larger variety is found in the areas of Karur,
Aravakurchi and Dindigul subdivisions. The breed is found in its pure form in
the herds of some large breeders, notably the Pattagar of Palayakottai, who
is supposed to have one of the best herds of the breed in the country.
Characteristics
Both varieties
of this breed are strong and active, with compact bodies and short, stout legs
with strong hooves. Horns in the smaller variety spread apart nearly straight,
with a slight curve backwards. In the larger variety, the horns are much longer,
curve outwards and backwards and almost complete a circle at the point where
they approach the tips. The head is of moderate size with only slightly prominent
forehead. The head is more proportionate to the body with a straighter profile
than in most of the Mysore type cattle. The ears are small, erect and pointed.
The eyes are dark and prominent with black rings around them.
The neck is short and thick. The back is short, broad and level. The body
is compact, with well sprung ribs. The quarters are slightly drooping.
The dewlap is thin and extends only up to the sternum. The sheath is well
tucked up to the body. The hump in bulls, though well-developed, is firm.
The hair is fine and short and the skin is dark in pigment and fine in
texture. The tail is of moderate length with a black switch reaching well
below the hocks.
Kangayam color is usually gray or white. The males generally are
gray with black or very dark gray coloring on the head, neck, hump and quarters.
In the cows, the prevailing color is white and gray with deep markings on the
knees, and just above the fetlocks on all four legs. The calves are light or
dark brown with gray or white on
the inside of the thighs, ears and forelegs, and occasionally with gray or
white rings on the pasterns and fetlocks. At two years the heifer turns gray
or dark
gray and retains this color but with advancing age after maturity the color
fades and becomes white. Male calves become dark gray or iron gray with black
shading over the head, neck, hump, dewlap, fore and hind quarters. With maturity
the black shading becomes intensified. Castrated males, however, show fading
of the color.
Kangayam cattle are of moderate size, active and powerful, and are highly
prized draft animals. The cows are generally poor milkers but there are
encounters of fair producing abilities.
Joshi, N.R., Phillips, R.W. (1953) Zebu Cattle of India and
Pakistan, FAO Agriculture Studies No. 19, Publ. by FAO, Rome, 256 pp.
Photographs:
S. Panneerselvam & N. Kandasamy, Department of Animal
Genetics, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu, India
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/kangayam/index.htm
Comments
Post a Comment