Aw, Nuts! The Bulls Become Steers
Curious about the nitty gritty on the farm? If you can stomach it, come along and see what happened here today. Castration might make you squirm, but it only takes a few minutes and it is absolutely necessary in maintaining (containing) a herd. The pictures tell the story: let’s go! Thanks to Dave Rainbow for helping farmer Dave while I took pictures.
The two Daves discuss the best way to set up the head gate.
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securing the gate
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This big bull calf is as sweet as can be, but he is becoming a real pest when we go in his pen. It was time to settle him down.
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The kids thought this would be a good observation point. They later moved in for a closer look.
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caught in the gate
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extra security for the big boy
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before
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cleaning him off
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initial slice (we cut four bull calves today)
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pulling the testicle out of the scrotum
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exposing the testicle
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The inner membrane also needs to be sliced open.
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clamping the cord
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slicing it off
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applying some blood clotting powder
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done
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The first time we harvested testicles, I fried them up and we ate them. This time, we launched the grenades into the pig pen where they were eagerly devoured.
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That was interesting—glad you shared.
This may be a dumb question, but do they get a shot of novacaine or something similar?
Becky – good question. We don’t use anesthetics. The pain is acute but does not seem to be chronic, so within minutes they are back to normal calf behavior – eating, drinking, nuzzling each other, etc. If you have a few minutes, here is an interesting video from Mike Rowe (Dirty Jobs) discussing the topic as related to sheep.
Ok, thanks! I can’t say I’ve ever researched this subject before, and, though I understand the necessity of it, seeing your pictures was simultaneously fascinating and repulsive! 🙂 The video link was helpful too.
Please , let the pigs have them. 🙂
Ok then! I think I could have done without what you did with said testicles! Don’t think I’d be cut out for farm life. Go you guys, though!