9 Differences Between Oxen, Cows, and Bulls

The term cattle is commonly used when referring to both cows and bulls. But this term applies to more than just those two animals.

Cattle are a family of large domesticated bovine animals typically kept for labor, milk, or meat. Cattle all fall under the same scientific classification of Bos Taurus. Since cows, bulls, and oxen all belong to the cattle family, they share a variety of common features. For example, members of this family usually have cloven hoofs and horns.

While these animals are all related to one another, they also have a number of distinctions between them. They have different uses, appearances, and temperaments.

Oxen, cows, and bulls should be viewed as unique animals.

Let’s explore 9 differences between them and how they stand out from one another.

1. Origin

The origin of bulls and cows dates back 10,000 years. They are said to have originated from a group of wild beasts called Aurochs. Aurochs were up to 2 times the size of modern cows and bulls.

Aurochs were domesticated by ancient dwellers in Asia and Europe. Domestication and natural selection took its toll over many years until the wild beasts became more tame and docile.

Aurochs existed through the early 1600s when hunting and changes in habitat led to their extinction.

Although oxen are genetically similar to cows and bulls, they have a different origin. Oxen come from bulls; when a bull is neutered, it becomes an ox. The purpose of the neutering procedure is to make them more docile.

The first group of oxen was said to have surfaced circa 4000 BC. Wild oxen moved freely across Europe and North America in the past. But currently, they are no longer seen in these regions.

Wild oxen still roam in Africa and Asia. But in Australia and South America, there are no wild oxen breeds. In the regions without wild oxen, you may still find domestic oxen.

2. Uses

Cows are kept mainly for 2 purposes: milk and breeding. In their first 2 years, female calves are known as heifers. During this period, they do not produce milk or calve.

When a heifer starts calving, it becomes a cow and starts producing milk. On average, after 10 years, cows stop calving and producing milk. When this happens, they are used for meat. Their skin could also be used for making leather.

Most bulls are kept for beef and for their hide. Those not kept for meat are kept for breeding. One bull can fertilize up to 30 cows in one breeding season. Hence, only a few bulls are needed for breeding purposes.

Oxen are mainly used for labor on a farm. They help to pull plows, carts, and some machines. Oxen also help in threshing grains by trampling on them. Oxen may also be used for beef when they are no longer needed for labor.

3. Appearance

Of the 3 animals, cows are the smallest. Most times, oxen are relatively larger than bulls.

Although oxen are relatively larger than bulls, they are usually not as heavy. Compared to oxen, bulls have more lean meat and are more heavy.

It’s almost impossible to tell the difference between cows, bulls, and oxen without looking toward their hind legs.

Cows have udders hanging down from their rear flank. In younger cows (heifers), the udder might not be evident, but you’ll find teats in place of it.

Bulls have scrotums in place of udders while oxen do not have scrotums since they are castrated.

4. Temperament

Oxen are less temperamental than cows and bulls. They have lower levels of aggression and tend to be more docile. Neutering oxen helps contribute to their calmer nature.

Cows are very aggressive especially when in conflict with other cows. In fact, aggressive behaviors between cows can be worse than those between bulls.

Horned cows and bulls commonly show their aggression by striking their target with their horns. Those without horns attack their target by kicking, blunting, or crushing.

5. Meat Flavor

The flavor of meat that comes from cattle usually depends on age, tenderness, and marbling.

Generally, older cows, bulls, and oxen have tougher and drier meat than their younger counterparts.

Cows and heifers have more fat deposits than bulls and oxen. You’ll find that meat from cows and heifers is juicer, more moist, and more tender than meat from bulls and oxen.

Between bulls and oxen, bulls have leaner, more muscular meat. Oxen have relatively more fat in their meat which causes it to be more tender and more moist. The relatively higher fat content in oxen meat is partially due to their lower testosterone levels as compared to bulls.

6. Milk Production

Cows are the only cattle that produce milk. Oxen and bulls do not produce milk.

The taste of cow milk is affected by various factors including the following:

• The type of feed the cows eat
• The farm environment
• The breed
• The number of lactations
• The stage of lactations
• The cows’ health
• The water the cows drink

7. Price

On average, cows are not as expensive as bulls, and bulls are not as expensive as oxen.

Dairy yearlings usually cost between $450-$600 per calf while beef yearlings cost $650-$750 per calf. When the calves grow older, they become more expensive based on their weight.

Since cows are usually kept for dairy purposes, their starting price is comparable to the price of dairy yearlings. A full-grown dairy cow can cost between $900-$3000.

Bulls are usually kept for breeding and for beef. Prices for bulls are similar to prices for beef yearlings. A full-grown bull can cost between $3000-$5000.

Oxen are sold across the United States, and they are relatively more expensive than bulls. This difference in price is partly due to the extra expenses, time, and facilities needed to castrate bulls into oxen.

The relatively lower demand for oxen might also play a part in its relatively high price.

8. Meat Production

Although cows are primarily kept for dairy purposes, they can be reared for their meat. Oxen and bulls are more typically raised for their meat.

Bulls are typically slaughtered for meat about a month or two before cows and oxen reared for the same purpose. Also, they produce relatively more lean muscle meat than cows and oxen.

Fertility          

Cows and bulls are fertile. They can breed and produce calves. On the other hand, oxen are castrated. They are infertile and cannot take part in breeding.

Overview of Differences Between Oxen, Cows, and Bulls

	Cows	Bulls	Oxen
Origin	Aurochs	Aurochs	Castrated Bulls
Uses	Milk, Breeding, and Meat	Breeding, Meat, and Hide	Labor, Meat, and Hide
Appearance	Smallest and has an udder	Larger than cows and most muscular	Larger than bulls but not as heavy or muscular
Temperament	Very aggressive, especially to other cows	Aggressive	Less aggressive and easier to train
Meat Flavor	Produces the most juicy and tender meat	Not as juicy or tender as oxen or cow meat	More juicy and tender than bull meat
Milk Production	Produces milk	Does not produce milk	Does not produce milk
Price	Least expensive	More expensive than cows but not as expensive as oxen	Usually the most expensive
Meat Production	Limited lean meat	Mature for beef earlier than oxen and cows and produce more lean meat.	Offer more lean meat than cows
Fertility	Fertile	Fertile	Infertile

Resources

• https://www.livescience.com/28154-new-world-cattle-origins.html
• https://beef2live.com/story-cattle-101-hist-breeds-fun-facts-terms-85-104671
• http://factsanddetails.com/world/cat54/sub346/item2124.html#
• https://knowledgenuts.com/2013/11/20/the-difference-between-cows-oxen-and-cattle/
• https://thecowdocs.wordpress.com/2014/07/14/why-do-we-castrate-bulls/
• https://www.merckvetmanual.com/behavior/normal-social-behavior-and-behavioral-problems-of-domestic-animals/behavioral-problems-of-cattle
• https://beef-cattle.extension.org/if-you-slaughter-a-seven-year-old-bull-would-the-meat-have-a-stronger-taste-because-it-was-an-old-bull-i-have-experienced-stronger-taste-in-the-meat-of-boars-before-and-did-not-want-to-experience-th/
• https://www.quora.com/What-does-bull-meat-taste-like-Is-it-different-from-steer-meat-or-cow-meat
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25236779/
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• https://www.cattle.com
• https://bestfarmanimals.com/how-much-does-a-cow-cost-to-buy/
• https://www.drovers.com/article/value-selling-steer-calves-vs-bull-calves