Cows and Electricity

BuckemRanch · Mar 7, 2005

Next to my property I have some high powered electircal lines. I do not know how much power is running through them. The lines are coming out of a sub station.

I had a cow that was preg checked when she was 6 months along. The vet said she was pregnant. Have any of you heard of high voltage causing abortions? She acted like she was going to calf, having contractions, mucus, and blood. Yet, no calf. My motherinlaw thinks it is the power lines, I don't think they have enough power going through them. I remember something about a cattleman having birth defects and it was linked to the power lines.

At six months gestation can a cow reabsorb a fetus? I would think the fetus would be too big and the cow would abort. The field she is in, is only an acre or two and I have found nothing.

Maybe I am jumping the gun and when I get home tonight I will have a new calf in the field. But, she doesn't look pregnant anymore. I just don't know. Thanks for any feed back.

Damien

Crowderfarms · Mar 7, 2005

I've heard of a lot of speculation about those living close to Power Lines, as far as birth defects, and higher rates of cancer. I found this link, from the UK, here's an excerpt from it, and the link.

http://www.leyman.demon.co.uk/06%20Power_Lines.html

Animals can also suffer from adverse reactions to high-tension lines and their response helps to scotch any suggestion that what we are seeing in cases like those described is merely psychosomatic. A three part television series shown originally on British Channel 4 in 1984 and repeated since: "The Good, the Bad, and the Indefensible", illustrated the plight of an American farmer across whose land a massive power line was erected. Shortly after its installation, his hens started to lay 'scrambled' eggs, his cattle aborted and their milk production fell drastically. These results echoed laboratory experiments (referred to elsewhere) in which eggs and mice suffered ill effects when exposed to various types and strengths of magnetic and electrical fields

Jeanne - Simme Valley · Mar 7, 2005

You are right, a 6 month calf would be born, not obsorbed. Any coyotes around? They would make quick work of the baby. If you saw bloody discharge, and she still has the calf in her, there may be a problem that needs checking out.

BuckemRanch · Mar 7, 2005

We are going to have the vet out. It is frustrating. We do have coyotes around, they have been up around the chickens. I am going to have to sit out there one of these evenings. Thanks for the replies.