Sheltering Punganur Cows Across All Seasons: Best Practices

They are really in our daily lives. Short, they are a breed that is adorable, nurtures high-quality milk, and acts as a friendly pet in the house. They narrate the story of survival, tradition, and the race against time to save one of India’s oral history cows. “As such, we Indians worship cows as gods. Cows have become deeply rooted in our lives, and the best part is that they give unmatched offerings to everyone.”

The Punganur Breed of cows is endemic to the Punganur region of Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. The only breed for over 500 years, a cow from this breed has an average height of 70-90 cm and an average weight of 115-200 kg. Punganur cows typically give 3 to 5 liters of milk daily, which is higher than larger breeds like Holstein Friesians. The milk they give is very rich in fat content, which makes it very suitable for ghee preparation.
Did you know the importance of proper sheltering and care for Punganur cows across all seasons to ensure their health and productivity?

Sheltering Punganur Cows in Winter Season- Best Practices:

1. Ideal Shelter Designing :

Shed and Barn, Warm and Dry Shelter: Architects need to design ventilation so that warm air does not escape, but they should keep miniature cows always at the barn or shed from the cold winds or rain.

Insulated Roof: The interior temperature is preserved by insulating materials. Thatching or some other locally available materials would prove effective.

Bedding: Keep the insulation from cold grounds, with thick and dry bedding of whichever is used, hay or straw at a point.

2. Temperature Management:

The infrared lamps or the Eco heater are heaters or lamps deemed safe so that the enclosure is warm on cold winter nights.

Windbreaks: This would build a windbreak around the housing so that it would be free from cold wind.

3. Nutrition and Hydration:

Nutritive Diet: The energy level of the feed increased during winter to maintain body temperature in animals. Some grains, oilseed cakes, or even molasses can be added on occasion.

Warm Water: Make sure the cows are given lukewarm drinking water in cold weather in order to keep them hydrated as well as to stimulate their drinking.

4. Health Monitoring :

Regular Checks: Early signs of cold stress, such as shivering and decreased feed intake, should be monitored in the animal.

Vaccination and Deworming: The herd vaccination and deworming status should be up to date as it has a great contribution to immunity enhancement.

Coat Care: Let the cows develop the coating of the winter naturally for insulation. Do not bathe often in winter, unless necessary.

5. Exercise and Ventilation:

Daily exercise: Allowing cows to graze and chew cud in direct sun during the warm hours of the day helps in increasing body temperature.

Proper Ventilation: The place should get good air from outside to avoid respiratory problems, but draughts should not be faulty.

6. Community:

Herd keeping is an important practice for the Punganur cow. A small number of cows is much more beneficial from the herd. Keeping it among the cows helps share body heat, thus reducing stress.

Sheltering Punganur Cows in Summer Reason – Best Practices:

Punganur cows are hardy, but they still need good management during summer to remain comfortable and healthy. Here are some tips for providing them with a proper environment in the hot season:

1. Adequate Shade:

Build shaded areas by erecting simple shelters from natural materials like bamboo or thatched roofs.
Well-ventilated shelter is important for providing air circulation.
Trees along the shelter will add to shading and cooling for the little- cows.

2. Provide Water:

Clean, cool water should be supplied throughout the day.
Provide wide buckets or troughs for easy access.
Shade wherever possible to save from heating water storage.

3. Cooling Methods:

During extreme heat, sprinkle water on mini cow breeds or use misting fans.
Do not pour cold water on their heads directly; otherwise, stress is induced.

4. Feed Management:

Offer some juicy fodder baby green grass or silage to keep the animal hydrated.
Avoid feeding during peak times of the day; prefer early mornings or late evenings.
Add mineral supplements to maintain their electrolyte balance.
Put feeding of animals on hold during critical heat hours of the day and instead feed them early in the morning or in the evening.

5. Don’t Keep the Shelter Dry and Clean:

Clean, cool, and dry shelter to prevent building up flies and pests.
Use bedding material like straw, remaining cool and absorbent.

6. Minimize Stress:

Act minimally while it is the heat peak.
Avoid overpopulation at which they become too crowded; this has been due to heat stress.

7. Regular Health Check:

• Check them regularly for signs of heat stress, such as heavy panting, excessive drooling, or less appetite than usual.
• For any abnormality in behavior or heat stroke, check-up with a veterinarian.

Sheltering Punganur Cows in Rainy Season – Best Practices:

Thus, during the rainy season, Punganur cows face challenges like wet conditions, infections, and fluctuations in temperature. The following best practices can help keep them safe and comfortable:

1. Good Shelter Design:

• Constructed roofs of shelters should be very well water-sealed against leakage.
• Elevation of shelter should be given for the surface during which the shelter is used to minimize waterlogging and ensure proper drainage. Use insulating and heavy rain and wind protection materials.

2. Maintain Dryness:

• Keeping the floor dry in shelters by means of absorbent bedding materials like straw or sawdust. Change wet bedding regularly to minimize exposure to the possible risk of infection.
• Complete ventilation to maintain humidity inside the shelter.

3. Feed and Water Supplies

4. Covered arrangement of feeding and watering:

Store all feedstuff, such as hay or grains, dry in waterproof containers or bins.

5. Regular Grooming:

• Brush cows regularly to remove mud and moisture from their coats. Inspection and cleaning should also be done on the hooves to avoid infections such as foot rot. Enclosure To Repel Pests.
• Use mosquito nets or natural repellents for cows from flies, mosquitoes, and other thriving pests during wet conditions. Keep clean surroundings of the shelter so that breeding grounds for pests are avoided.

6. Ensure Health Monitoring:

• Symptoms show signs of suffering cold – stress: shivering, reduced appetite, or lethargy.
• Symptoms of pneumonia, mastitis, and skin infections are common in wet seasons.
• Carry out checks by a veterinary doctor in good time, without fail, for any signs of cold stress or infection; maintain vaccination schedules.

7. Reduce Overcrowding:

• Very spacious for each cow; overcrowding would subject the cows to greater stress; and reduce the hygiene level.
• One must avoid this confinement for a long time and provide controlled outdoor access subject to the weather conditions.

Conclusion:

In themselves, the Punganur cattle define a cultural articulation of India with her very agriculture in a real sense. Rearing them is not a mere shelter for the cows; it goes into bonding many a season from summer shade to rainy-day warmth. Keeping these cows is indeed an act of preserving the delicate heritage that has memory and love in its translation. Are you now ready to start the journey into having a Punganur cow? For details, you can visit the website: Petsfolio.