shearing sheep

[Guest guest]

This is as much a misconception as cows must be milked. The first

time I was told this, I asked why and was informed the udders

would " explode " if the cow wasn't milked. As a veterinarian, I can

assure you that neither of these statements is true. They have

probably grown out of some simple facts though.

 

Husbandry techniques and drugs keep cows' udders full. The intense

management of these animals with sometimes not so clean environments

(some are very clean) and decrease immunity causes mastitis.

Abscesses can form and rupture. The udder/breast does not explode.

This happens to women sometimes as well. Medically, in cases where

the mother is not nursing, the treatment is to allow her milk to dry

up. This isn't the economic goal of the diary farmer though and

further drugs are given. Any animal can have its milk dried up and

the animal does not suffer. Sounds simple but many people don't

understand mastitis.

 

Sheep - It is true that many varieties of sheep and other animals,

such as rabbits, have been selectively bred to produce more hair.

These sheep usually have more skin folds as a result. These folds are

moist and dark and provide the perfect breeding ground for fungi,

bacteria and insects. So, sheep herders cut out some of these extra

folds of skin, especially around the anus where fecal material can

lead to even more problems in the folds. This is commonly done

without anesthesia and the wounds are left open to granulate in or

form scars. Without proper care, these can become infected. Sheep

originate from mountainous areas, from Asia if I remember correctly.

Sure, shearing may sometimes be indicated in the selectively bred

sheep in hotter climates to prevent heatstroke. But, the shearing

process as it is performed today is not an innocuous procedure. The

animals are held up and sheared as fast as possible (less time, more

money). They are cut in the process and the wounds are not tended –

pain and infection are the result. If this animal is not relocated to

warmer climates and not bred to produce more wool, it does not " have "

to be sheared. Just as with bees and cows, other animals are harmed

(read killed) to protect the monetary investment of sheep. If we

reduce the demand for wool, the displacement and selective breeding

will also be reduced and fewer sheep and other animals will suffer.

 

Carrol

 

, " wwjd " <jtwigg wrote:

>

> I don't see what the adversion is to wool. Sheep have to be

sheared every spring regardless.

>

> Yikes, as scratchy and hot as wool is, who would ever use those as

diaper covers??????????

>

>

[Guest guest]

Good info. I get so mad when my mom insists that cows hurt big time if they're

not milked. Bah. Wonder if the pain of the milk drying up is anything compared

to having her baby taken from her?

 

Kadee Sedtal

 

rtillmansmail <rtillmansmail wrote:

This is as much a misconception as cows must be milked. The first

time I was told this, I asked why and was informed the udders

would " explode " if the cow wasn't milked. As a veterinarian, I can

assure you that neither of these statements is true. They have

probably grown out of some simple facts though.

 

Husbandry techniques and drugs keep cows' udders full. The intense

management of these animals with sometimes not so clean environments

(some are very clean) and decrease immunity causes mastitis.

Abscesses can form and rupture. The udder/breast does not explode.

This happens to women sometimes as well. Medically, in cases where

the mother is not nursing, the treatment is to allow her milk to dry

up. This isn't the economic goal of the diary farmer though and

further drugs are given. Any animal can have its milk dried up and

the animal does not suffer. Sounds simple but many people don't

understand mastitis.

 

Sheep - It is true that many varieties of sheep and other animals,

such as rabbits, have been selectively bred to produce more hair.

These sheep usually have more skin folds as a result. These folds are

moist and dark and provide the perfect breeding ground for fungi,

bacteria and insects. So, sheep herders cut out some of these extra

folds of skin, especially around the anus where fecal material can

lead to even more problems in the folds. This is commonly done

without anesthesia and the wounds are left open to granulate in or

form scars. Without proper care, these can become infected. Sheep

originate from mountainous areas, from Asia if I remember correctly.

Sure, shearing may sometimes be indicated in the selectively bred

sheep in hotter climates to prevent heatstroke. But, the shearing

process as it is performed today is not an innocuous procedure. The

animals are held up and sheared as fast as possible (less time, more

money). They are cut in the process and the wounds are not tended –

pain and infection are the result. If this animal is not relocated to

warmer climates and not bred to produce more wool, it does not " have "

to be sheared. Just as with bees and cows, other animals are harmed

(read killed) to protect the monetary investment of sheep. If we

reduce the demand for wool, the displacement and selective breeding

will also be reduced and fewer sheep and other animals will suffer.

 

Carrol

 

, " wwjd " <jtwigg wrote:

>

> I don't see what the adversion is to wool. Sheep have to be

sheared every spring regardless.

>

> Yikes, as scratchy and hot as wool is, who would ever use those as

diaper covers??????????

>

>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

lol, i think the idea that an udder will explode is pretty funny. all the

mothers in this country who use formula and we've never heard of a breast

explosion yet!!!