Origin
They get their name from the River Ken, as they
are bred along the banks of this small river in the hilly area of Bundelkhand.
These cattle are also bred in territories of Panna, Charkhari, Bijawar
and Ajaigarh which are part of Vindhya Pradesh in India.
Characteristics
The Kenwariya cattle are small, sturdy and fairly
powerful, varying in color from gray on the barrel to dark gray on the
rest of the body. The head is short and broad and the forehead is dished.
Horns emerge from the outer angles of the poll
in a markedly forward direction and terminate in sharp points. Ears
are sharply pointed and do not droop.
The body is short, deep and compact. The back
is straight but the quarters are drooping. The limbs are short but powerful
and the feet are hard.
The hump is well developed. The sheath is somewhat
pendulous and ends with a black tip. The dewlap is moderately heavy.
The tail is of medium length with a black switch reaching below the
hocks.
This breed is very popular for light draft on the road and for
cultivation. They are observed to thrive on poor feed. Because of the
hilly nature of the region and the poor grazing, only animals which
can cover long distances and have strong feet can thrive.
Reference:
Joshi, N.R., Phillips, R.W. (1953) Zebu Cattle
of India and Pakistan, FAO Agriculture Studies No. 19, Publ. by FAO,
Rome, 256 pp.
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