A bull with a nose ring is a fairly common occurrence and is not considered anything out of the ordinary. The image of the animal is now practically inseparable from the ring threaded through the nasal septum, however, the origins of this feature of keeping bulls remain unknown to many. Few people think about why a bull needs a ring in his nose. The answer to this question is simple - the ring makes it easier to control these wayward animals.
Why does a bull have a nose ring?
The bull is an animal of large size and tough temperament. It is difficult to get obedience from them, which leaves its mark on how the bulls are kept on the farm. As a rule, they are placed separately from the herd and are not walked with the cows, since bulls are difficult to calm down if they suddenly become stubborn or aggressive. Ultimately, other animals and the person himself may suffer if possible measures to influence an angry bull are not taken into account.
Moreover, sometimes the animal must be securely fixed in place for inspection or any other manipulation. That's what the bull's nose ring is for.
In most cases, the only way to subdue an animal is through pain. This requires exposure to sensitive areas of the bull, which include:
- ears;
- eyes;
- nose.
In these places, cattle have areas with a low pain threshold.Thus, the tension of the ring, threaded through the sensitive nasal septum, forces the animal to follow in the indicated direction, greatly facilitating control over it and reducing the risk of injury to others.
Not only adults, but also calves undergo piercing. The only difference is that the cubs do not need special control. In this case, the procedure is necessary in order to wean the young animals from their mother. The fact is that a ring equipped with spikes directed outward is inserted into the nose of calves. When a young bull presses his nose against the udder, the contact causes pain to the cow, causing her to push her young away. When the calf loses the habit of expressing milk, the ring is removed from the nose.
Primarily breeding animals with a quarrelsome character that cannot be controlled by other means are subjected to the piercing procedure. Calm, balanced bulls usually avoid this procedure.
How is the piercing procedure performed?
The optimal age for piercing the nasal septum is 7-10 months. Banding can be carried out by both a veterinarian and a person without special medical knowledge if the instructions are properly studied.
A ring for cattle is chosen to be strong and reliable. Its surface should be smooth, without any protrusions or irregularities. Recommended cross-section is 1 cm, material is stainless steel.
The ringing procedure is as follows:
- The bull is secured in place using ropes, paying special attention to the position of the head.
- Then the male is injected into the jugular vein with Xylazine, no more than 0.5 ml.This drug reduces motor activity and makes surgery easier.
- The next step is to clear the bull's nasal cavity of secretions. To do this, use a cotton swab.
- An injection of novocaine (2%) is given into the nasal septum.
- The sharp end of the ring, previously disinfected, is used to pierce the nasal septum, clamp it with forceps and snap into place a special lock.
- After this, you can carry out additional disinfection of the wound.
- As soon as the animal recovers from anesthesia, it is injected with an anesthetic. The drug Meloxicam is suitable for these purposes. Repeated anesthesia is carried out again 10-12 hours after the ringing procedure.
After the operation, the bull is left alone for 10-15 days. During this time, the wound is not touched, but is examined regularly. If necessary, if the puncture begins to become inflamed, it is disinfected several more times. When the wound heals, the bull begins to be led little by little by the ring. For convenience, it is slightly raised, secured with a belt on the horns. So, it will not interfere with the animal. Pressure on the ring is carried out using a special stick-driver, which ends with a hook. Before taking the bull out of the stall for walking or examination by a veterinarian, he is hooked to the ring with a driving stick. Only when the animal is under reliable control can it be taken outside.
Despite the apparent simplicity of banding, it is recommended that this procedure be performed by a veterinarian. There are several reasons for this:
- A person without experience can accidentally damage the nasal septum.As a result, inflammatory processes and tissue decay may begin if the damage is not treated in time.
- A careless movement can cause unnecessary pain to the bull, which will cause a completely natural reaction - the animal will begin to resist and, most likely, cause injury to others.
- The bull remembers some colors well. In particular, he will remember how the person performing the operation was dressed, and in the future he may react aggressively to the approach of the owner in clothes of a similar color. Therefore, it is better to entrust the piercing to a person who does not have contact with the male on a regular basis.
You can learn more about why a bull needs a nose ring from the video below:
Conclusion
A bull with a nose ring is a common sight on the farm. To an uninitiated person, such “piercing” may seem inhumane, however, this is one of the few ways in which you can force an animal to obey. Without a ring passed through the nasal septum, it is impossible to transfer the bull to another room for examination by a specialist or send it for transportation. Screaming and violence will only anger the male even more, which can lead to injury to accompanying personnel. Minor pain from the tension of the ring forces the bull to obey and follow the person.
