Dhaka – What makes the perfect cow for Qurbani? Depends on several attributes, to be honest.
Everyone has those visions of selecting the right cow from North Bengal (Rajshahi), Sirajganj, Pabna or any other cattle-populated district of the country. But not many people, sans our elders, know actually how to select the right cow – it is based on the attributes of size, posture, horn, teeth and a few more elements to deduce how delicious and juicy it’s meat is going to taste like.Reality is that it is hard to find the right cow. Certainly, there’s no one-size-fits-all for that dream cow, and it’s interesting to learn which priorities cattlemen rank higher than others when building that perfect cow in their minds and in their herds.
But there are some elements, experts and elders alike would agree upon to know how you can choose the right cow. They are as follows –
Horns- Horns should have uniform shape. One horn should not be pointing to one direction while the other one points to the opposite. It is believed that such cows can never be trusted.
Nostril- Nostril opening should be wide open. It’s a sign of a healthy cow.
Muzzle- Muzzle area should always be moist, not dry and flaky. Saliva can be dribbling while chewing cud. It’s a sign of a well feed cow. Cows and bulls that often smell the air and lift their muzzle have active sexual life.
Eyelash- Eyelash should be very neatly placed.
Eyes- Eyes will have 2 to 3 color combination in good cows which would be very bright and mesmerizing.
Curly Follicle- All good perfect shaped cows will have 3 round curls. one on center of forehead, next on the start of neck, third one on the center of back bone.
Moving Earlobes- When you enter where cows are housed, they should move their ears in your directions and generally they should be moving their ear lobes in all directions, should always be alert. Sign of healthy cow. If not moving she is old, sick or lazy.
Teeth- Teeth also gives a good idea of cows and their age. Teeth should also be neatly placed.
Chest Area- Chest area of cows and bulls should be huge. Hind and belly area should be smaller compared to front.
Hump- Not every breed cow has prominent hump like bulls. In cows, hump is in alignment with the backbone. It is only visible when they lift their head up. Another way to recognize is their neck area just after the hump will be in a big cavity.
Flat Backbone- Hind area of backbone should be flat. You should be able to keep or balance things on the back of a cow or bull.
Hooves- Hooves should be small and in good shape. Bigger ones are sign of age or when they are always tied in shed (you need to see few hooves to understand it). Hooves should also have glossy appearance and not dry and flaky.
Tail- Tail should almost touch ground and should be very active in swatting flies away.
When you approach very close to a cow, she should immediately get up in a fraction of a second. If not, she is not healthy.
Single Coat Color- Single color cows were preferred even during ancient times, different colors have different properties. Udder area will have white or cream color.
Reference – Beef Magazine via UNB
