Proceedures and standards for old age of cows.

[Guest guest]

Pamho Agtsp.While we are on the subject of reports and the unfortunate

deaths at Murari Sevak, can we give some thought to constructing a blueprint

for all of our communities at least a guideline on the eventual old age and

death of the cows on our farms. Here at New Varshan (NZ) we have certain

procedures but various things need to be qualified , when to call the vet

(If the cow is old, skinny and obviously going to leave its body soon, the

vet may want to put her down and we get into a spat with them.) When to

stop all food and water(If she is down for the count sometimes devotees want

to keep feed and water therefore prolonging the suffering). If a cow has

collapsed, there are still various standards to nurse her as best as

possible.ie turning her over to relieve sores and organ positions, shelter

from weather,(if she cant be moved then suggest pitching a tent over her.)

etc

 

I'd just like to get the ball rolling with the collective knowledge out

there on this conference. Everyone has got knowledge and experiences to

share that we can all learn from. The eventual blueprint could be included

in the standards that the ministry has set.

Your servant,

Ananta Krsna Dasi.

Email: ann (AT) akn (DOT) quik.co.nz

[Guest guest]

When to

>stop all food and water(If she is down for the count sometimes devotees

want

>to keep feed and water therefore prolonging the suffering).

 

This is a bit disturbing. We discussed this at length at this conference.

Would you not give your mother or father food or water if they were dying?

Why are you treating the cow like this? The following standard explains the

consensus of the devotees. Just like people a cow will stop eating and

drinking when they are ready to leave their body. It is their decision.

 

I PROTECTION

Recommended:

6) Death

a) A dying cow should be kept as comfortable as possible and given as much

association and transcendental sound vibrations as possible. There should be

access to water and food.

 

 

Not Allowed

2) Death due to the following conditions:

a) Failure to provide adequate feed, shelter, safety measures and health

care.

b) Performing euthanasia

c) Placing a sick cow in a situation where he/she will be trampled, eaten,

frozen, etc. causing death.

3) Neglecting the cow while she dies. Not providing feed and water.

 

 

 

-

Ann Fletcher <ann (AT) akn (DOT) quik.co.nz>

COM: Cow (Protection and related issues) <Cow (AT) bbt (DOT) se>

Tuesday, November 09, 1999 8:38 PM

Proceedures and standards for old age of cows.

 

 

> [Text 2767169 from COM]

>

> Pamho Agtsp.While we are on the subject of reports and the unfortunate

> deaths at Murari Sevak, can we give some thought to constructing a

blueprint

> for all of our communities at least a guideline on the eventual old age

and

> death of the cows on our farms. Here at New Varshan (NZ) we have certain

> procedures but various things need to be qualified , when to call the vet

> (If the cow is old, skinny and obviously going to leave its body soon,

the

> vet may want to put her down and we get into a spat with them.) When to

> stop all food and water(If she is down for the count sometimes devotees

want

> to keep feed and water therefore prolonging the suffering). If a cow has

> collapsed, there are still various standards to nurse her as best as

> possible.ie turning her over to relieve sores and organ positions, shelter

> from weather,(if she cant be moved then suggest pitching a tent over her.)

> etc

>

> I'd just like to get the ball rolling with the collective knowledge out

> there on this conference. Everyone has got knowledge and experiences to

> share that we can all learn from. The eventual blueprint could be included

> in the standards that the ministry has set.

> Your servant,

> Ananta Krsna Dasi.

> Email: ann (AT) akn (DOT) quik.co.nz

>

>

[Guest guest]

In reference to cows leaving their bodies, it is something that happens

inevitably and much more often that humans of course. My expereince is that

as devotees who love cows as well as see them as an important part of Vedic

culture we generally try to do everything possible to make them very

comfortable until they leave by Krishna's arrangement. Imean by this that

many devotees love the cows like they are part of the family, so whatever

level they have the facility to comfort the cow in the end of their bodies

is very welcome. The life span is not meant to be shortened as stated in

the nectar of devotion, animals have Karma to live out and if we shorten it

untimely then they have to come back to finish up again. Therefore we

should try as devotees to give them all facility possible. Although

sometimes different people will be inclined more than others for various

reasons.

In this regard when a cow "goes down" for a period of time say two days or

more, then many times it is very hard for them to get up again. I have seen

very few cases where an animal was down for 2 days or more and they

recovered. They will many times develop the characteristic sores, etc.

They will lie in their dung, etc. There is nothing anyone can do. I have

lifted them with slings, fed them everything, etc and generally when they go

past a certain point they just seem to lose the ability to start walking

again and generally bloat by rolling in a bad position during the night and

their ability to let gas escape from their abdomen cause so much pressure on

their heart and lungs that they die. This can happen in an acute situation

to when a cow gets knocked over unless they are helped up quickly.

Generally when a cow goes down, it is important to help them up immediately,

then most always they will recover. Time is of the essence. So if possible

the cows who are out to pasture should be checked a couple times daily to

make sure they aren't bogged etc.

Here at New Talavan the biggest problem is the bogs. We have so many

bottoms that just every now and then an older cow will get stuck. They

generally die unless we find them immediately. We are trying to fence all

the bogs off, but as they many times run a long ways and are in the middle

of a field, it is not easy. Generally if the cows are strong they can just

walk on through, but when they get old if they wander into a bog then they

get stuck. Over the years we have pulled several out and did all the things

to try and save them, but if they were there for too long then it is

hopeless. Usually these are very old oxen or cows but still it is a tragedy

to lose an animal when we can prevent it so this is our main problem now.

So think of this when you are planning your pasture. Cows can bog.

 

ys

Dvibhuja das

 

 

Ann Fletcher <ann (AT) akn (DOT) quik.co.nz>

COM: Cow (Protection and related issues) <Cow (AT) bbt (DOT) se>

Tuesday, November 09, 1999 5:50 PM

Proceedures and standards for old age of cows.

 

 

>[Text 2767169 from COM]

>

>Pamho Agtsp.While we are on the subject of reports and the unfortunate

>deaths at Murari Sevak, can we give some thought to constructing a

blueprint

>for all of our communities at least a guideline on the eventual old age and

>death of the cows on our farms. Here at New Varshan (NZ) we have certain

>procedures but various things need to be qualified , when to call the vet

>(If the cow is old, skinny and obviously going to leave its body soon, the

>vet may want to put her down and we get into a spat with them.) When to

>stop all food and water(If she is down for the count sometimes devotees

want

>to keep feed and water therefore prolonging the suffering). If a cow has

>collapsed, there are still various standards to nurse her as best as

>possible.ie turning her over to relieve sores and organ positions, shelter

>from weather,(if she cant be moved then suggest pitching a tent over her.)

>etc

>

>I'd just like to get the ball rolling with the collective knowledge out

>there on this conference. Everyone has got knowledge and experiences to

>share that we can all learn from. The eventual blueprint could be included

>in the standards that the ministry has set.

>Your servant,

>Ananta Krsna Dasi.

>Email: ann (AT) akn (DOT) quik.co.nz

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Ananta Krsna Prabhu,

 

PAMHO. AGTSP.

 

> PAMHO AGTSP. Thanks for your comments prabhu. However sometimes devotees

> who are not involved with the cows try to offer their bit of opinion and

> ideas such as; when a cow is laying down (not able to sit up at all) , is

> very old and in poor condition due to old age, she has given up wanting

> anything. My procedure is to have a garland on her, tape going if

possible,

> give her some caranamrta and nurse her as best as possible. What I

disagree

> with is for devotees to try and pour water down her throat nearly drowning

> her in the process and stuffing grass in her mouth when she wont even

chew.

> Lets do a reality check here. This is going to occur more and more in our

> society for all of us and we need the procedures to be common place for

all

> devotees to know about.

> Your servant, Ananta Krsna Dasi

> Email: ann (AT) akn (DOT) quik.co.nz

>

Yes, prabhu you are right. Sorry for assuming a different attitude on your

part. This is a point we do have to deal with. I remember when we were all

writing the standards I thought maybe we should have a seperate Standard on

death. I suggest we do. What does everyone else think? Death is mentioned in

the Standard protection. Here it is:

 

I PROTECTION

Recommended:

1) Lifetime Protection

Maintaining a animal for its full lifetime including its training and

engagement in productive service. Female cows are not required to be bred

(see Section 2.9), and should not do heavy work (Section 1.5).

2) Daily Observation of Herd

All cows should be given a daily head count and health check.

3) Records

Short concise records of conditions of the cows, land, and weather should be

kept on a daily basis. These records are to be used as a tool for monitoring

and improving herd conditions.

4) Fencing

Stone walls, board fence, woven wire, living fences (except Multiflora rose)

or high tensile are recommended to contain cows by creating an impenetrable

border.

5) Safety and Security

Adequate arrangements must be provided to ensure the safety and security of

the cows from theft, and abuse, maltreatment. These may include locking

gates, lighting, security surveillance, restricted access or other

arrangements as per local circumstances.

6) Death

a) A dying cow should be kept as comfortable as possible and given as much

association and transcendental sound vibrations as possible. There should be

access to water and food.

b) Calf mortality rate should be no greater than 5%, the achievable

standard.

 

Permitted

1) Daily Observation of Herd

For larger herds with a shortage of cowherds it is acceptable for the health

check to be done weekly. Daily counting is still required.

2) Records

Keeping a general farm journal. Keeping breeding records of cows, parentage,

offspring.

3) Fencing

a) Electric fencing permitted for temporary and immediate fencing, it is

especially useful for rotational grazing.

b) Barbed wire permitted in areas of low pressure and where other types of

fencing would be impractical to use, but should not be used where animals

are concentrated.

 

Not Allowed

1) Transferring Ownership

Transferring of ownership or the use of cows where all the minimum standards

aren't observed.

2) Death due to the following conditions:

a) Failure to provide adequate feed, shelter, safety measures and health

care.

b) Performing euthanasia

c) Placing a sick cow in a situation where he/she will be trampled, eaten,

frozen, etc. causing death.

3) Neglecting the cow while she dies. Not providing feed and water.

4) Calf mortality rate higher than 10%

If records are inadequate, mortality rate can be determined retroactively by

seeing how many have been milking in the last 2-3 years and determining how

many of their calves are still alive.

5) Failure to count cows daily

Daily counting deters rustling and loss of cows who wander off.

6) Fencing

Failure to provide adequate fencing to control animals' movement. There

should be no barbed wire in areas where animals are concentrated and in

areas of high pressure, e.g., it shouldn't be used between a pasture and a

meadow or crops field.

7) Safety and Security

Failure to provide adequate arrangements to ensure the safety and security

of the cows as stated in #5 of recommended.

8) Failure to maintain appropriate herd records.

 

Your servant,

Chayadevi

[Guest guest]

Ananta Krsna Dasi

>> PAMHO AGTSP. Thanks for your comments prabhu. However sometimes devotees

who are not involved with the cows try to offer their bit of opinion and ideas

such as; when a cow is laying down (not able to sit up at all) , is very old

and in poor condition due to old age, she has given up wanting anything. My

procedure is to have a garland on her, tape going if possible, give her some

caranamrta and nurse her as best as possible. What I disagree with is for

devotees to try and pour water down her throat nearly drowning her in the

process and stuffing grass in her mouth when she wont even chew. Lets do a

reality check here. This is going to occur more and more in our society for

all of us and we need the procedures to be common place for all devotees to

know about.

 

Chayadevi

Yes, prabhu you are right. Sorry for assuming a different attitude on your

part. This is a point we do have to deal with. I remember when we were all

writing the standards I thought maybe we should have a seperate Standard on

death. I suggest we do. What does everyone else think? Death is mentioned in

the Standard protection.

 

Comment:

When an animal is dying it is best that the situation be as peaceful as

possible. Sometimes this process takes a while. Generally the animals die out

in a field far away from devotees, occasionally devotees should gather at the

moment of death. It is important that the devotees see a cow dying to

understand that they are spirit soul. BUT, on the whole, though well meaning,

devotees should be kept away. For those and similar reasons that Ananta Krsna

dasi has said above. In addition to what she does, I also mark their forehead

with clay (our soil is basically sand and clay) and chant the Nrsimha mantra

asking for His protection during this stressful time.

Ys,

Rohita dasa