Raising Zebu Cows from A to Z

If you want to make a go of it on the homestead raising cattle, picking the right breed is a crucial part of your success.

Every different domestic cow breed has its own attributes, good and bad, that you must learn to maximize or minimize accordingly. And, of course, you should pick based on what you want from your cows, be it beef, milk, leather, or just the joy of owning them.

Zebu cows are a category that could be an interesting and inspired choice. Instantly identifiable by their large dewlap and humped fat stores on their shoulders, they are one of the very best kinds to keep if you live in a hot region.

There’s plenty you’ll want to know about them, especially if you are already acquainted with the more common breeds we see here in the US.

Keep reading, and I’ll tell you everything you need to know from A to Z when it comes to raising Zebu cows.

Breed Overview

Zebu cows, scientific name Bos taurus indicus, and sometimes referred to as indicine cows, are a subspecies or category of domestic cattle hailing from Southern Asia. I say category because there are many different breeds of Zebus!

Under the broad classification of Zebu, you’ll find the famous American Brahman, red Sindhi, Guzerat, Nelore, Gir, and the adorable, popular Mini Zebu. Note that in America, Zebu cows are often referred to categorically as Brahman.

Although each of these major Zebu breeds has their own traits, coloring, build, and other identifying features, they all have a few things in common:

• a large and prominent hump of fat on their shoulders,
• a very large and protruding dewlap,
• long and sometimes floppy ears,
• and loose skin compared to other cattle breeds.

Owing to their origins in Southern Asia and the Indian subcontinent, Zebu cows are highly adapted to heat, dry conditions, and constant exposure to intense sunlight.

A true utility breed, they have been kept for many purposes including their products and also as riding animals, draft animals, and even as pets.

How Big Do Zebus Get?

The size of Zebu cows, consisting of many different breeds, varies considerably. The smallest, the miniature Zebu, which is actually a true micro cow, might weigh as little as 500 pounds.

The Sibi Bull, on the other hand, can weigh up to an astonishing 3,500 pounds and stand taller than a man! That’s truly incredible!

But, on average, adult males will weigh between 1,700 pounds and 2,200 pounds, with females usually weighing significantly less on average, anywhere from 1,300 pounds to 1,900 pounds.

If you are considering purchasing Zebu cattle, you must take care to ascertain which breed you’re getting because you might be in for a rude awakening if you have your heart set on a smaller breed and wind up with a much larger one!

Are There Miniature Zebus?

Yes, there are, and most fascinatingly, the miniature Zebu is among the smallest cows in the world, and the very smallest known that is not the direct result of human intervention in breeding.

The Mini Zebu breed association in the US has only been around since 1991, but the breed has been known far before that time. There were even quite a few examples of these cows kept in zoos around North America because they are so unique.

Weighing around 550 pounds at most in the case of bulls, the Mini Zebu is a genuine micro cow and stands just 42 inches tall at the withers. If you have your heart set on an adorable pet or just have some seriously limited space requirements to work within, the Mini Zebu is a decent choice.

How Friendly are Zebus?

Generally friendly and docile. Like some other domestic breeds that are a bit more in touch with their wild roots, Zebus tend to live in large, but highly organized herds when left to their own devices.

Herd hierarchy is established through dominance, with a mature and powerful senior bull at the top, and the rest of the herd being broken up into family groups, or cliques, of cows and their calves. As long as the hierarchy is clear, fights and corrective measures are rare.

Zebus have a reputation for being easy to handle most of the time, but they’re also known to have a territorial streak and can get belligerent during mating season. Any Zebu cow, of any breed, and that includes the miniature ones, is potentially dangerous and must be treated with maximum respect.

Do These Cows Always Have Horns?

Usually. It depends on the breed, and some breeds are naturally polled or sometimes polled. Others will always have horns…

Horn sizes vary in shape, thickness, and length, but Zebu cows are famous for the strength and quality of their horn, meaning it is a popular choice for tool and knife handles, decorative objects, and more. That is another potential route for monetization if you are raising these cattle.

Gir, Mini Zebus, and Dhanni typically have horns, for instance. Red Sindhis may have horns or be polled.

What are Zebus Kept For?

Zebus, categorically, are remarkably versatile animals. In terms of typical domestication, they are raised for meat and milk, though they are not particularly good milk producers. They’re often used as draft animals and sometimes for riding, and even racing from time to time in India, Pakistan, and elsewhere!

As mentioned, their horns and leather are also valuable, though not the primary reason for keeping them.

How Much Milk Can You Get From Zebus?

Zebu cow milk production is likewise quite variable owing to the many breeds in this category. Over a typical 270-day lactation period, Zebu cows can produce anywhere from 200 to 430 gallons of milk.

Can You Slaughter Zebus for Meat?

Yes, you can, and Zebus have been kept for ages for precisely that. Their meat is typically lean and firm in texture, and it does not compare favorably to the richness and flavor of other beef breeds that are more familiar in the West, such as Angus.

However, Zebu cows are sometimes used for crossbreeding with other domestic cows to improve heat and drought tolerance while also enhancing the quality and flavor of the resulting meat as a whole.

What Do Zebus Eat?

Zebus eat the same things that all other cows eat, predominantly grass and hay, but they will also eat other plant matter in the form of some choice flowers, soft leaves, seeds, grains, and the like.

Compared to other domestic cattle breeds, Zebus are known to be particularly slow, almost leisurely grazers, though they are very thorough.

Zebus can subsist on relatively sparse forage owing to their origination in harsh climates with little vegetation. If you have rich forage on your pastures, they can do exceptionally well!

Food Requirements

As a rule of thumb, Zebus, like most domestic cows, will need about 2% of their body weight every single day in food, whether this is provided for them or in the form of forage.

For a 1,700-pound adult Zebu, this will break down to about 34 pounds of grass or hay, but do keep in mind that they might need more!

Cows that are getting lots of exercise, growing, lactating, or recovering from illness or injury will need more food, potentially upwards of about 50 pounds per day.

As always, nutritional and caloric content is where the rubber meets the road; high-quality, energy-dense food means that cows will need somewhat less compared to stuff that isn’t as nutritious.

Climate Concerns

Like I just said, Zebus categorically come from some of the hottest and driest places on earth. Out of all the cows that you might own, they will do the best in very hot weather and that is why they are so popular in Texas and throughout the American Southwest.

Compared to other domestic cattle, they need a lot less shade and don’t seem to mind intense, direct sun nearly as much. If you live in an arid climate, you would do well to think long and hard about getting yourself a herd of Zebus, of one breed or another.

However, as you might have expected, because they are so good in hot weather they do correspondingly poorly in cold climates: when temperatures start dropping to around 25° F (-4 ° C), your Zebus will definitely need shelter.

Consider a three-sided shelter to be the absolute minimum for giving them some protection from wind and precipitation, and enclosed shelter is better.

Needed Space Inside and Outside

Most Zebu cow breeds will require about 2 acres per head for grazing if kept outside. If kept indoors purely on a temporary basis for shelter, an adult cow will need no less than 30 square feet, though these smaller varieties can get away with less.

Are There Any Specific Health Requirements to Worry About?

Zebu cows are generally vulnerable to many of the same ailments that other cows are, and also specifically prone to a few illnesses and other conditions.

As mentioned up above, you’ve got to be careful to protect them from cold conditions. These are tropical cattle and won’t withstand cold temperatures nearly as well as other domestic breeds.

Parasites tend to be a particular issue for all kinds of cattle breeds, namely lungworms, roundworms, and various kinds of flukes.

External parasites can also be more problematic than usual owing to the loose skin of these cows which can hide evidence of infestation or injury. Be especially alert to flies, and serious irritation resulting from fleas, ticks, and mites.

Respiratory diseases commonly affect Zebu cattle, and two other sicknesses of special concern are white muscle disease and brucellosis.

White muscle disease is caused by a dietary lack of selenium, and its serious cases result in acute weakening and then paralysis of the skeletal muscles and even the heart, leading to death in minutes or hours. Careful testing of forage and feed can prevent this one.

Brucellosis, also known as Bang’s disease, can lead to abortion and sterility in cows and other mammals. It’s more common in some areas than others, but luckily it can be vaccinated against.

How Much Do Zebus Cost?

Once again, there is considerable variation in the cost of Zebus depending on the breed and the breeder.

I’ve seen pairs of young heifers go for as little as $1,000 a head, and mature bulls from exemplary breeders and excellent lineages sell for more than $7,500. On average, though, you should expect to spend anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 for a mature cow.

Where To Buy Your Own

It’s easy to find Zebu cattle breeders online by running a search for Zebu breeders in your area, but two of the best places to begin are the National Zebu Cattle Club and the American Brahman Breeder’s Association.