Hungarian grey cattle is a Hungarian breed of beef cattle that has a very hardy constitution. It has an excellent immune system, climbs well, and is not harmed by the cold and dampness of the Hungarian plains.
Its fur covers allow it to endure harsh winters and summers as well as provide protection from ticks in Hungary’s forests. Their milk is high in the density of fat giving it a rich flavor that is sought after by some dairy producers. A dairy breed is the most important in Hungary and is used for breeding intensively.
Contents
Origin
Hungary. The breed descends from the European wild cattle stock of the Great Hungarian Plain, which was introduced by Roman soldiers during the 2nd century BC. This subspecies has been propagated by cross-breeding and selective breeding with local cattle in Hungary since approximately 1000AD.
How to identify Hungarian grey cattle?
Handy tips to know about Hungarian grey cattle:
Height
Which varies from 11 to 1425 cm.
Diet
20% of coarse grass and 70% of high-quality silage with traces of sugar beet.
Weight
200-300 kg.
Milk
It has a milk fat percentage of 4-5%. It is characterized by a very placid nature; it is not easily provoked by dogs or other animals. However, its protective instincts toward its bitches and calves are strong. Hungary’s native grey cattle are thought to have originated from European wild cattle (Bos primigenius) that roamed the Great Hungarian Plain during the glacial ages.
Hungarian grey cattle meat
Hungarian grey cattle meat is a traditional Hungarian cuisine, which is prepared by a long and slow cooking process. The meat from Hungarian Grey Cattle is low in fat. It has become increasingly popular in certain countries.
Hungarian grey cattle milk
Hungarians drink Hungarian grey cattle milk along with their meals. Hungarian grey cattle milk can be served both warm and cold, often flavored with vanilla or orange peel. It has a higher fat content than regular cows’ milk and hence is richer in taste.
Behavioral characteristics
It is very docile and calm. Equal temperament is another important feature of the breed; it does not show any aggression toward other animals. It is a docile, calm, and quiet animal.
One characteristic of this type of cattle is that its horns do not grow straight up but outwards, as if its head was sitting on a handlebar in a bike frame. Its horns are also shaped like a pinwheel in the center. Very docile, hardy, active, requires little care, not inclined to jump off cliffs.
Mating season
It calms down its activity during December and January. Timing of giving birth – Maturity: 6–9 years.
Uses
With a high production of piglets, the meat can be used in pork products. Pork is processed into ham and bacon. Some farmers even sell their meat by butchering them at home too! The breeding of this breed has been discontinued in several countries today, but some farmers still raise their cattle for economic purposes.
The Holstein Friesian is constantly being added to the list of Hungarian Grey Cattle; so there will be a small number of pure Hungarian Grey cattle left soon as well.
Health issue
It has a natural resistance to many diseases, including anthrax and foot-and-mouth disease. In Hungary, this type of cattle is raised in forested areas to help prevent any outbreaks of foot and mouth disease.
In Northern European countries like Ireland, gray cattle are an important source of food for wolves. The Hungarian Grey Cattle also has a hard hoof cover that protects it from possible injuries when walking in the forest or going up the mountains.
As pet
Due to their docile nature, they can be led while in a small area or pen. They are very hard and patient creatures; they are not frightened by anything. They are resilient and too old is not too difficult to tame. In the city of Budapest, there are many small restaurants in which one can find the Hungarian Grey Cattle; these restaurants offer to let their customers pet the cattle.
Latest research
The Hungarian grey cattle is a kind of cattle with short-haired fur covering, small horns, and large hooves. In Hungary, it is also called “vidéki kosár”, meaning “border cow”. It has been under great domestication since ancient times.
Special Considerations
The Hungarian Grey cattle approximates the color of the moors. The forests and the floor of Hungary are full of the grass that the cattle eat. The cattle are healthy without much care. Generally, they are calm, active, and easy to feed, but they are not very good at notifying their owners when they have eaten too much.
They tend to have diarrhea and then get sick at least once every year. However, review the full breed profile of the Hungarian grey cattle in the following table.
Best 8+ information
| Breed Name | Hungarian grey cattle. |
| Country of origin | Hungary |
| Breed Purpose | Beef cattle. |
| Breed Class, size | Medium-sized. |
| Temperament | Very docile and calm; it is not easily provoked by dogs or other animals. |
| Color | White or brown. |
| Climate Tolerance | 1-38 degrees Celsius. |
| Rarity | Rare. |
| Life span | +20 years (pets), +15-18 years (for breeding). |
