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Surprise! Blind cow has calf!
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<blockquote data-quote="Ozhorse" data-source="post: 936630" data-attributes="member: 18575"><p>It is amazing how animals cope sometimes. I was surprised to find some blind sheep will cope quite well. The larger the mob the better. I found one in a mob of 300 that was two years old and had probably been blind for ages and I did not know. They will even cope with mustering with dogs, at a gallop, so long as they don't get split off by rough dog work. They stay in physical contact with the other sheep and will call to get back in the group if they get separated. </p><p></p><p>Blind sheep don't usually cope so well in a small group as they get separated easier and panic.</p><p></p><p>More than once, when I have removed a blind sheep from a mob and put it in a group of culls or sick group I have seen that a sighted sheep will stay with it and lead it around, and go back and get it if it gets confused and lost. So there is altruism in sheep. Sheep have friends too, just like horses and cows do. </p><p></p><p>Some sheep don't cope with being blind. If infectious pinkeye goes through the mob (different than cattle pinkeye- sheep go blind for about a fortnight but get over it if they don't have an accident) quite a few will suddenly go blind. Some panic and loose the plot and run into things until they get head injuries. </p><p></p><p>So I can see why you keep your blind cow. If she does not give you too much work and has a useful place on your farm and is happy in herself why not!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ozhorse, post: 936630, member: 18575"] It is amazing how animals cope sometimes. I was surprised to find some blind sheep will cope quite well. The larger the mob the better. I found one in a mob of 300 that was two years old and had probably been blind for ages and I did not know. They will even cope with mustering with dogs, at a gallop, so long as they don't get split off by rough dog work. They stay in physical contact with the other sheep and will call to get back in the group if they get separated. Blind sheep don't usually cope so well in a small group as they get separated easier and panic. More than once, when I have removed a blind sheep from a mob and put it in a group of culls or sick group I have seen that a sighted sheep will stay with it and lead it around, and go back and get it if it gets confused and lost. So there is altruism in sheep. Sheep have friends too, just like horses and cows do. Some sheep don't cope with being blind. If infectious pinkeye goes through the mob (different than cattle pinkeye- sheep go blind for about a fortnight but get over it if they don't have an accident) quite a few will suddenly go blind. Some panic and loose the plot and run into things until they get head injuries. So I can see why you keep your blind cow. If she does not give you too much work and has a useful place on your farm and is happy in herself why not! [/QUOTE]
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