Boran cattle is a humped breed developed in Eastern Africa, primarily on the Borana plateau in Southern Ethiopia. This unique and ancient breed dominates in Eastern Africa, especially in Kenya.
Kenya is home to more than 10 million Borans, making them the most prevalent breed of cattle there. Boran cattle are well adapted to survive in the arid and semi-arid conditions of savannas and shrubland of East Africa, where water can be scarce.
They are popularly known for their large, humpbacked bodies with long horns, mostly used in Africa for their meat, milk, and hides. The remarkable fertility and reproductive prowess of Boran cattle is a breeding goal. The Boran breed is among the most productive in the world when it comes to breeding cattle, thanks to the combination of these factors.
Varieties of Boran Cattle Breed
Orma Boran: Smaller than the Kenyan Boran, the Orma Boran is the smallest breed of Boran. The average male Orma Boran weighs between 496 and 871 pounds, while the average female weighs between 551 and 783 pounds.
Kenyan Boran: They descended from Orma, Somali Boran, and Borana. The difference between Kenyan Borans and other Borans is their size and well-developed hindquarters. Males typically weigh 1,213 to 1,874 lb, compared to females’ average weight of 882 to 1,213 lb. A Kenyan Boran’s coat is often white with spots but can also be brown or red.
Characteristics of Boran cattle breed
- They originated from East Africa.
- They can live up to 20 years.
- They are easy to cater to.
- They can be gray, fawn, white, black, or red.
- They have large horns.
- They have short and thick skin with coarse and oily skin.
- They are very hardy.
- They are known for their high reproduction rates.
- The cows have great mothering qualities.
- They have calm temperaments.
- They are well adapted to local conditions and parasites.
- Cows can breed at an early age and have high conception rates.
- Boran calves are often sturdy.
- They are good grazers and foragers and can survive on limited food.
- They are sweet and docile.
RELATED POST
- Top 9 African Cattle Breeds History & Pictures – Guide
- Top 10 Best South African cattle breeds
- Best Ankole Cattle Horns For Sale: Cost & Uses
- Drakensberger Cattle Breed – Cattle Guide
- Tuli Cattle Characteristics – Cattle Guide
- Sussex Cattle Characteristics – Cattle Guide
- Simmentaler Cattle Breed – Cattle Guide
- Top 10 Beef Cattle Breeds In South Africa
