Hannah and Knut
Two Dahomey dwarf cattle
Dahomey cattle are what ponies are to horses – the smallest of their kind. Dahomey dwarf cattle are an original dwarf breed and are not crossbred with other breeds. This beautiful breed of cattle developed in West Africa without human intervention. The animals are only 80 to 105 cm tall, but their temperament should not be underestimated.
Robust dwarves as a favourite breed and landscape conservationist
Dahomeys have few demands on their environment and are not sensitive to heat or cold. Their milk is only sufficient for rearing calves, and the meat yield does not bring in much money either. The cattle breed is available with grey or black fur. Sometimes the coat on the legs or belly is spotted brown or white. The tongue is also blue rather than pink. They do not call “Moo” but make a sound as if a locomotive is just starting its journey.
Dahomeys are an alternative to sheep
The small cattle are very sure-footed and do not cause any damage to meadows and pastures due to their low weight. They are ideal for grazing on steeper slopes and are content with low-value fodder such as old hay or grass.
Hannah and Knut – an interesting couple in the cattle shed in Henndorf
A few weeks ago, we received an email from a young, desperate student from Carinthia. Her parents wanted to have the Dahomey cattle slaughtered because it had become difficult for them to look after the animals. As Knut is only 7 years old and Hannah is 6 years old, it broke the young woman’s heart to slaughter these two spirited, lively animals.
“… they have a right to grow old…!” – she was probably right.
The spectacle of Hannah, Knut and the other cattle on the farm
It sounds as if the cattle on the farm in Henndorf are learning a foreign language: one is African and the other Austrian. The “moo” is totally foreign. Sometimes our mini zebu comes round the bend with her donkey Tobi, then it becomes international, because our little zebu doesn’t say “moo” at all, but roars like our stag Batzi in the rutting season.
The famous Bandit and his herd stand diagonally opposite the Dahomey cattle shed. There are several “cattle concerts” every day: the Dahomeys call their peculiar “moo” into the large herd and Bandit, Sky, Lieni, Ludmilla and all the others turn exactly in the direction of the Dahomey “moo” and listen to see who is calling them.
Perhaps they would like to take part in an Aiderbichler cattle concert one day? It certainly pays off. Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf is open daily from 09:00 to 18:00.
