Exotic Oxen Rare In U.S.

Exotic Oxen Rare In U S If you like the idea of owning livestock that will amaze your friends and neighbors a pair of Gayal oxen might just fit the bill Because of their rarity a 2-year-old pair sells for around $12 000 according to Jurgen Schulz who runs the Kifaru Exotic Animal Auction House in Lampasas Texas He imported his Gayal oxen from Sweden many years ago “They’re interesting because they’re so rare ” Schulz says   Gayal is a domestic gaur the largest of the wild oxen and the breed is common among hill tribes in Burma and India Gayals forage in the wild during the day and are lured close to the villages at night They aren’t milked but are butchered for meat   Cows and bulls grow horns that are about 2 ft wide Gayals stand 55 to 63 in tall at the shoulder They have shorter legs and shorter thicker horns than the wild gaur They also lack the gaur’s shoulder hump Gayal bulls however maintain the wild mating call of the gaur which is as loud and resonant as the bass notes of an organ Schulz feeds his Gayal herd the same kind of hay and pellets he feeds his other cattle They do well in the Texas climate and can handle temperatures down to about 15 degrees without shelter In colder climates they would require shelter during the winter he says Some livestock owners crossbreed them with cattle They are gentle though it’s always wise to be careful around bulls and cows with new calves Gayals have a 20-year life expectancy   Schulz holds several auction sales each year and has a variety of exotic animals on his website including a Gayal pair up for sale   Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Jurgen Schulz 1691 Co Rd 2806 Lampasas Texas 76550 ph 512 556-8251; www kifaruexotics com

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