Rathi cow found in the arid regions of Rajasthan is an important milch breed of cattle. This breed works as a major livelihood source for the farmers in this region. Rathi derived its name from a pastoral tribe known as Raths which are Muslims of Rajput extraction and lead a nomadic life. Rathi animals are particularly concentrated in the Loonkaransar tehsil of the Bikaner district, which is also called the Rathi tract.

This breed’s breeding tract lies in the heart of the Thar Desert consisting of the Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Ganganagar districts of Rajasthan. Rathi cattle are considered to have evolved from intermixing of Red Sindhi, Sahiwal, Dhanni, and  Tharparkar breeds with a preponderance of Sahiwal blood.

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How to identify Rathi Cow

The Rathi is a medium-sized cattle with an absent horn or shorthorn, flat forehead,  straight face, well-developed fore, hindquarter, wide eyes, and long naval flap. The animals usually have brown with white patches all over the body, but animals having completely black or brown coats with white patches are also seen. The ecosystem in its native tract is fragile and the lands have very low productivity and are less fertile. Scorching summer (50 degrees Celcius), dry monsoon (less than 200 mm rainfall in a year, chilly winter (2 degrees Celcius), and dust storms are the main characteristics of the region.

Rathi cows are not heavier than HF,  Sahiwal, Jersey, or Gir cows. But sometimes they stand like Sindhi and Sahiwal cows. Rathi cows’ average weight is around 500 kilograms. 

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Milk Production, lactation, and Price of Rathi Cow

On average Rathi cow milk yield per day is around 5-10 kg with lactation milk yield ranging from 1500-3000 Kg. Selected cattle have produced around 4800 Kg at the farmer’s doorstep.

Most dairy milk farmers give proper rest to their Rathi cows and leave them dry before lactation. But one thing is noticeable, Rathi cows don’t get ill during the lactation period and keep themselves consistent with their milk production.

Rathi cow costs you less as compared to all the deshi cow breeds.

In India, the price of a Rathi cow starts from Rs 45000.

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How to maintain the Rathi Cow?

For better performance, cattle are required to be in favourable conditions. Keep them sheltered as it is necessary to protect animals from strong snowfall, heavy rainfall, sunlight, parasites, and frost. Ensure that water and clean air facility must be there in the shelter.  Give them proper nutrient supplements like – Protein, Calcium, Vitamin A, and Phosphorus with their food. Manage them properly and provide proper care whenever your cow gets pregnant. Good management practices will result in a healthy calf and also gives a high milk yield.

Diseases that commonly affect Rathi Cows and their treatment

Many diseases can cause serious illness to your Rathi cow. Diseases that commonly affect Rathi cows are:-

Digestive system disease

Diseases related to the digestive system like acidic indigestion, simple indigestion, saline indigestion, constipation,  bloody diarrhoea, and acidity. 

Treatment of acidic indigestion:

Avoid feeding acidic fodder to animals.

During the start of this disease, feed animals saline elements like baking soda and medicines which will help to energize their liver.

Treatment of simple indigestion:

Feed them spices which will help them to increase their hunger.

Provide them feed which digests easily.

Treatment of saline indigestion:

During the preliminary stage of the disease, give light acid such as 5% acetic acid @5-10ml per animal weight or approx 750ml vinegar to cure the disease.

If a brain stroke is occurring and nothing can be seen after giving medicine 2-3 times, then the doctor should do the rumenotomy operation.

Treatment of constipation:

For heavy animals, the scrape of ginger powder@30gm and solution of Magnesium sulphate@800gm is given to animals through the mouth.

In the initial stage give them flax oil@500 ml and don’t let them have dry fodder as a feed and give them more water.

Treatment of bloody diarrhoea:

Give sulpha medicines through vaccinations or mouth and along with that give more amount of water and glucose@5%.

Sulpha medicines, antibiotics, opiates, iron elements, or tennoform can also be given to get rid of diarrhoea.

Treatment of acidity

If this disease is seen repeatedly in animals then activated charcoal, Dettol water, and 40% formalin@15-30 ml should be given.

Turpentine oil@30-60ml, extract of mustard/flax oil @500ml or asafoetida (heeng)@60ml is given to animals (don’t let them consume too much turpentine oil, this can lead to stomach issues).

Look at the condition and type of disease of the animal, and consult the vet through our app.

Lead poisoning 

The calf is dull and sunken abdominal pain is the major symptom of lead poisoning. It usually occurs when they lick the painted tarpaulins, metalwork, lead batteries, etc.

 Treatment

A dose of calcium versenate @25% is given twice a day to cure lead poisoning in sub-acute cases.

Enteritis/Calf scours/ Diarrhoea:

In this disease first, the excessive loss of water occurs then acidosis and dehydration and then the cattle die. The disease mainly occurs due to drinking unclean water, unclean hygiene conditions, and poor feeding systems.

Treatment   

proper ventilation and dry bedding are required.

Where can I get Rathi cow?

If you are looking to purchase Rathi cow, then right away pick up your mobile phone and go to the play store, and download the “Animall” app. Register yourself by verifying your phone number and then tap on the cow section where you will find different-different breeds of cow. Then filter out Rathi cow breed, calving, and milk capacity, and then select the best cow from the options available.

Bring home the best Rathi cow by following these 3 easy steps.

Enter your district or village name or Pincode.

After entering, tap on the cow section. Here choose the breed of Rathi cow and select the calving and milk capacity as per your preference.

Now you will start seeing all the cows around you. You can then select any cow of your preference. Go ahead and bring your most preferred Rathi cow to your home.

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How to list my Rathi cow for sale?

If you wish to sell your Rathi cow, then for that also you can install our“Animall” app. First, you need to register yourself and then go to the sell animals section. After that, enter the milk capacity, rate, and price of your Rathi cow. After you are done filling in all the required details, your cow will be registered on the “Animall” app. Anyone interested in purchasing your cow will call you directly.

Apart from selling and purchasing cattle, you can also get all the necessary information related to all the cattle by installing our app. If your cow is not keeping well then you can directly talk to veterinary doctors through our app. You can get the verified cattle at the best quality and affordable rates and that too without paying any commission to any middleman.

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