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Common dairy cattle breeds in kenya

This documentation entails several dairy breeds and their characteristics

FRIESIAN
Purpose :milk production
Average body size:500-550kgs
Average milk yield :40-60L/day
Characteristics :black and white ,short haired coat & short horns
Advantage : The breed has a high milk production potential with a low butter fat content of about 3.2%
Disadvantages
It is susceptible to diseases e.g. milk fever
Susceptible to high temperatures
It requires large amounts of water i.e minimum of 60 litres
It is also a heaven feeder i.e 90-110kg of forage/day


AYRSHIRE
purpose :milk production [The ideal drinking milk] because it posseses desirable quantities of proteins and doesn't lack adequate fat.
Average body size : 450kg
Average milk yield : 30L/day
Description : body ranges from brown with white patches in almost equal amount to dark mahogany colour.
Advantages :
High milk yield (30L/day) :it has a butter fat content of 4.0%
Fairly hardy and adaptable to varied climatic zones
Relatively resistant to diseases

Disadvantages :
High feed requirements (90-110kg of forage/day)
Requires plenty of clean water (60L/day)


GUERNSEY
Purpose : milk production... Heifers are milked at about 2 years of age.
Average body size : 400-500kg
Average milk yield : 25L/day
Description : colour->yellow to reddish brown with white patches
         : temperament ->docile,not nervous
         : guernsey bull ->has an attractive individuality, revealing ample vigour and masculinity
         : the breed also has a good dairy conformation
Advantages :
High milk yield (25L/day) with a butter fat content of 4.3%
Moderate feed requirements (65-85kg of forage/day)
They are efficient feed converters
They reach reproductive maturity at an early age & can calve at 22 months of age thus providing an early return on investment.
Minimum calving complications
Adapted to all climates and management systems.



JERSEY
Purpose: milk production
Average body size : small to medium (350kg)
Average milk yield : 22L/day with a butter fat of about 5.3%
Description :
brown in colour but can range from being almost grey to dull black.  They can also have white patches which may cover much of the animal's body.A true Jersey has - black nose bordered by almost white muzzle
Protruding eyes
Produce high quality milk - richer in proteins, minerals and trace elements.
Advantages :
Low feed requirements (65-85kg of forage/day)
Milk has a high butter fat content of 5.2%
Breed has little or no calvung problems, greater fertility and shorter calving interval.
High feed conversion efficiency
Their hard black feet makes them less susceptible to lameness
Disadvantages
This breed is susceptible to tick borne diseases and milk fever

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