Alter Rations

Here's something to ruminate about.

Click here to see the author's backround info, and read on to see her point of view.


Male Aggression

Most of the hazards discussed previously are caused by fearful animals. Bulls are involved in many animal fatalities, and when they are agitated in squeeze chutes, it is likely that their behavior is motivated by fear. However, in some cases, aggression causes a bull to attack a person because he perceives the person as a conspecific (herdmate), and he attempts to dominate.

Dairy bulls are notorious for attacking people. Why is the dairy bull more dangerous than most beef bulls? The difference in beef and dairy bull behavior may be explained by the difference in rearing methods. Beef bull calves are reared on the mother cow, whereas most dairy bull calves are bucket fed by people. Research by Edward Price and his associates at the University of California found that Hereford bulls reared in groups were less likely to attack people than bulls bucket fed in individual pens.47 Seventy five percent of the individually reared bulls threatened handiers.47 In 1000 dam-reared bulls, only one bull attacked.47

Bulls that grow up with other cattle learn that they are bulls. Individually reared bulls may think they are people, and when they become mature, they may challenge a person to exert dominance. Bull calves reared with other cattle usually direct their challenges toward other bulls instead of people.

To reduce risk on beef cattle operations, an orphan bull calf should either be castrated or placed on a nurse cow. Castration at a young age reduces aggression toward people. Practical experience in dairies indicates that bull calves reared together in large groups are less likely to attack people. After a short period of individual rearing, 6-week-old bull calves are penned together. Orphan male calves, lamas,54 and buck deer also have been known to attack people. A basic principle is that most grazing animals reared by their own species have less of a tendency to attack people. Same-species rearing is especially important very early in life.

There is a fundamental difference between grazing animals and carnivores such as dogs. The owner of a dog may become, in effect, leader of the pack, and there is no risk involved in this transference. However, the owner of grazing animals may be perceived as a herdmate, and there is risk from a mature, intact bull.


The preceding was borrowed from:
SAFE HANDLING OF LARGE ANIMALS
(CATTLE AND HORSES)

OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE: State of the Art Reviews
Vol.14, No.2, April-June 1999
Philadelphia, Hanley & Belfus, Inc.

http://www.grandin.com/references/safe.html

citations:
47 Price EO, Wallach SJR: Physical isolation of herd reared Hereford bulls increases aggressiveness towards humans. Appl Anim Behav Sci 27:263-267, 1990.
54 Tillman A: Speechless brothers: The history of care of llamas. Seattle, Eavy Winters Press, 1981.

Proof that my father-in-law does indeed work (or at least looks AT work).

WWJB

Welcome to the internet! A place where anyone can be anything to anybody. I think Paul said something along those lines. Of course the internet isn’t something unique. Generally it is a means to communicate similar to newsprint, books, etc. It would seem though with the internet, and specifically blogging, there is a certain anonymity to it.

Let me start out by defending myself (since this is written on a blog) by saying blogging isn’t wrong, but that like any new technology it is easily abused by immature geeks. And then many others follow without realizing the purpose other than novelty. I’m not really even sure what purpose blogging serves. That is to say in what way does the medium enhance the message?

In my case blogging serves as a (albeit poor) way to communicate to friends. That’s quite a safe statement. However this blog isn’t on the Widdle Wide Web. The world has access to my salty musings and it would be a lie to confess that I don't have that in mind when posting.

My point then can be related in a story.


There once was a fair maiden who wanted to be wed.
Twice every night she wept on her bed. (while holding her head)
Tired of her plight she started writing letters
To every AB man who wasn’t in fetters.

Months went by before a reply

Just then a horse and rider finely dressed
presented our maiden who curtsied and blessed.
She thanked the horseman who with guilded cape,
bowed and presented a leather-bound case.

To the garden made haste no moment to waste

Opening the case which was handcrafted by skill
she was impressed by the fact this man had frills.
The letter was sealed with a waxen signet,
Which was certain to come from a prince’s ringlet.

It was read ‘till each word swarmed in her head

Crying ‘Alas’ she knew this was the man
who would swipe her away with two powerful hands.
To rule her kingdom and carry her bosom
Oh my heavens; she must not loose him!

Get a horse and set your course!

Run to him quickly before all is gone.
Dream of him though your trip will be long.
Tall and handsome will be his frame
Royal and honest will be his fame.

The castle do spy, with darkness nigh

Full of glee and visions of their lives
Her caravan large, it finally arrives.
Knocking thrice, then a small servant appears
to open the gate made of ivory spears.

cold, dark and not a dog to bark.

Inside is oddness she couldn’t exact
But all things small; she couldn’t relax.
Ho! Her vision of royalty that she had clung
Vanished when appeared the Ring of Nibelung!

silly man small, you fooled us all

You deceived me large you smallish creature
Only so that you could view my feature!
This escapade was nothing but a riddle
In my dungeons you will rot not a little!

long hair we hack, large brain you lack

Foolish princess you have no wisdom
Said the dwarf king (who was everything but winsome)
While no fine print in which to read,
You simply made what you wanted to believe!