Giant Cow Bred for Experiment Weighed 2,000 Kg, Met Painful End
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Craven Heifer: The 2,000 kg 'Gigantic' Cow's Painful End
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News18•19-03-2026, 08:46
Craven Heifer: The 2,000 kg 'Gigantic' Cow's Painful End
•The Craven Heifer, a cow weighing nearly 2,000 kg, was bred in 1807 in Yorkshire, England, as an experiment to create an unprecedentedly large animal.
•Force-fed for five years, it reached a weight of 4,370 pounds (1,980 kg) and dimensions of 11.3 feet long and 5.3 feet high, becoming the largest cow in England.
•Dubbed a 'National Phenomenon', it was toured across cities, with thousands paying to see the 'Fattest Cow', inspiring paintings and newspaper articles.
•Despite its fame, the Craven Heifer met a cruel end; after its tour incurred losses, it was slaughtered in 1812/1813 and its meat sold at high prices.
•Its story highlights the 'fattening culture' of the 19th century, raising ethical questions about animal rights and breeding practices, now considered cruel.
