Fussy Cow - Sense of smell

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:17 pm

I feed our few Dexters Mag Rolls twice a day which they are all very fond of, even the calf eats a few.

As the sheep are in with them and I don't want then to have any I check they are all gone, pick up whats left and offer them to the cows from my hand. As she is boss cow the old dun expects first refusal but without fail turns her nose up at anything with another animals saliva on it but not her own saliva that is just fine. This happens again and again, so she can definitely tell the difference, she gets within about an inch and then turns away - the other certainly don't care!

She will sometimes bully one of the others off a whole pile then she will put up with a bit of their spit on them!!!

Their sense of smell must be amazing.

Stephanie

Penny · Post by **Penny** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:34 am

Even when I am offering fresh "untouched" nuts as a treat, most of mine will not eat out of a hand that another cow has eaten off previously, so I have to clean my hand on grass between handfuls if I don't want wasted nuts. I can't say I blame them, cow breath is not always sweet and delightful!

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:54 am

At least these haven't been eating kale! :D

There is nothing in the world to compare with kale burp at close range - memories of morning milkings. Sometimes I could almost believe I could see it wafting toward me.

Stephanie