Our cow Daisy is 9 months pregnant, she is due any day now, wail we are waiting for the new arrival I thought we could take a moment and learn some amazing things about cattle.
I love cattle!
Not my favorite animal, (don't tell Daisy!) but high on the list.
Most people seem to think that cattle are slow and dumb.
SO not the case!
Here are some fascinating facts about bovines part 1, for you to chew on, or ruminate if you prefer!
The name 'cow' is used incorrectly most of the time.
'Cow' is a female bovine who's had a calf.
That's it, so cow pretty much means mom.
The proper term for them as a group name is Cattle, plural.
A bovine singularly, and bovines, plural.
Here are the other correct names for cattle.
Heifer, a young female who hasn't had offspring yet.
A spring Heifer means she's expecting a calf.
A freemartin, a sterile female twin born with a male twin.
(This happens 97% of the time with a male, female twins)
Bull, Intact male used for breeding.
Steer, a castrated male used for meat or companionship.
A calf, is a baby, Heifer calf, girl, and bull calf or Bulock is a boy.
There are over 800 breeds of cattle.
some are used for milk, others beef.
Each breed has certain traits just like dog breeds.
Also just like dogs, personality trumps breed traits.
Cattle are very social animals, there will be a lead cow.
(a steer can be used as one as well)
The rest of the herd will follow the lead cow.
Cows make friends. There will be two or three cows who like to hang out with each other.
It has been proven that separation from the cow's "friends" causes physical and emotional stress.
Happy cows provide better milk and more of it.
Research has proven that if you name and care for your cow as an individual they produce more milk and have a lower stress level.
Duh!
Dairy cows must be milked twice a day, usually every 12 hours.
without exception!
Much to the chagrin of dairy farmers everywhere.
An unmilked cow can suffer extreme pain and even result in illness, sometimes death.
(This is also true for all milking animals, goats sheep etc.)
Cattle are ruminants.
(as are sheep, giraffe, antelope, and deer, among others)
Ruminants do not have 4 stomachs!
They have one stomach with 4 compartments.
these are called, the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum and the abomasum.
The rumen is where the food first goes.
From here it's brought back up to be chewed later, this is called chewing cud. When swallowed the 2nd time it goes to the next compartment.
If you would like to understand how this all works check this out.
Cow tipping is a myth.
Cattle do not sleep standing up, horses do. (sometimes)
Cows only sleep for 3 to 5 hours a day.
Also, they have 4 legs and are anywhere from 1000 to 1800 lbs full grown.
It's not so easy to push a cow over. The thing about cattle, if you push on them long enough, they shift their body weight back on you.
Eventually, they will lean on you and you'll be the one on the ground.
haha!
Red does not tick off Bulls.
In fact, cattle are color blind in some shades of red and green.
The reason the bull gets mad is that of the flapping fabric.
I have seen young calves go after sheets on a clothesline.
They are not sure what that movement is and assume its a threat.
Cattle are extremely curious.
They are one of the most inquisitive creatures that I have ever met.
Perhaps it should be, " Curiosity killed the cow."
Cattle like to lick.
As a greeting, a get-to-know-you kind of thing.
They lick their calves, their friends, and their farmers.
They also have very slimy saliva, they make about 40 gallons of it a day.
Ick!
On that note, stay tuned for cows part 2, coming out tomorrow.
On that note, stay tuned for cows part 2, coming out tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment