Gir Cow Breed is very social cattle and spends a lot of time licking, touching and leaning on each

Other. The bulls tend to protect the herd and the whole herd protects the calves. The cows seem to
Rotate being nurse maids and a large number of the calves stay together with them, but as soon as
There is a disturbance the whole herd will gallop back to protect them. The average milk production
for the Gir is 1590 kg per lactation, with a record production of 3182 kg At 4.5% fat.
Body Size:
The origin of the breed is in the Gir forest region and surrounding districts of Saurashtra region of
Gujarat State. It is a moderate to large size breed. Cows weigh 400-475 kg and bulls 550-650 kg.
The body colour is shining red to spotted white. Skin is soft, thin, and glossy. Occasionally animals
Which are predominantly white with red spots are also seen, according to Dr. J. V. Solanki, Dean,
Veterinary College, Anand Agricultural University (AAU), Anand, Gujarat.
Head:
The most unique feature of Girs is their convex forehead, which acts as a cooling radiator to the
Brain and pituitary gland (source of growth and reproduction hormones). The animals have a big
Head with prominent bulging shield like forehead and a long face.
Ears:
Their ears are long and pendulous, opening to the front and resembling a curled up leaf. Gir ears
Are very large and are an excellent fly and insect swatter.
Horns:
Horns are set well back on their heads and thick at the base. They grow downwards and backwards
With an upward curve.
Color:
The vary in color from pure red to speckles, yellowish red to white with large red spots. Their
Undercoat is red.

Skin:
Their skin is darkly pigmented with short glossy hair, very loose and pliable. They can twitch it
Anywhere on their body to dislodge insects and have a whip likes tail, which is deadly on insects.
They sweat just like a horse.
Eyes:
A Girs eyes are hooded and black pigmented. They can close their eyelids so it is impossible for
Insects to annoy them. They have a lot of loose skin around the eye area.
Feet:
Girs feet are black and very hard.
15 yrs. and can produce 6-10 calves. There are many cows that produce
More than 12 calve during their lifespan.
The calf can be sold for Rs.7, 000 to 10,000 after four years.
The cows are not susceptible to any infestation and have good general resistance to disease
And mastitis.
The animals are well adapted to hot and moderately humid climate. Bullocks are comparatively
Slow but have good draft power.
Animal feed:
Farmers generally keep 2-4 cows. The cows can be fed with dry fodder, green jowar, bajra straw,
groundnut cake, and a mixture of concentrate cake made of (ground nut cake and cotton seed
cake).
In an effort to preserve this breed a pure breeding programme has been implemented by the station
progeny-testing programme at the cattle-breeding farm, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh
(Saurashtra).
More than 12 batches of bulls have been tested and male progenies of the farm have been
distributed to the surrounding villages.
The National Dairy Development Board, Anand has also launched breeding programmes for
preserving this breed.
Semen from Gir bulls is available at the Department of Animal Husbandry (A.I Station Rajkot) and
Sabarmati Ashram Gaushala Project Bidaj, P.O. Gujarat, Pin. 387 120.
For further details contact: Dr. J. V. Solanki, Dean, Veterinary College, Anand Agricultural
University, Anand-388001, email: jvsolanki@aau.in.