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Original poster

What the actual fuck IS this *pics included*

160 replies

NickMyLipple · 05/01/2019 20:51

Recieved a casserole dish type thing from South African family members for Christmas. It looked like it was in original packaging, so it wasn't until today when I was putting away all our Christmas stuff that I opened it properly.

Inside was 2 packets of biltong, a net to cover your sugar dish, and this insane contraption.

What on earth is it, and what do I do with it?!

What the actual fuck IS this *pics included*
OP posts:
EffYouSeeKaye · 05/01/2019 21:35

Well we have 300 free-range cows and calves on our dairy farm and I have never ever seen one of those things before in my life, so I can’t think who uses them in this country. Shock

MrsTommyBanks · 05/01/2019 21:36

@NickMyLipple please don't worry. I'm just glad to know. Honestly. I will look forward to knowing what your Aunt and Uncle say though

AnotherOriginalUsername · 05/01/2019 21:37

@MrsTommyBanks really? As a result of this little plastic contraption? You must have lived under a rock for the last however long, the dairy industry is far, far more cruel than the meat industry.

Aridane · 05/01/2019 21:40

Placemarking

MrsTommyBanks · 05/01/2019 21:40

I remember when I was a slip of a girl teaching calves to drink from buckets. It was very gentle, and compared to that thing kind.
I really hope they aren't common practise.

Flossmequick · 05/01/2019 21:40

I thought the babies were taken away from the mothers on day 1 & the males were killed straight away.

Im probably wrong but maybe not?

MrsTommyBanks · 05/01/2019 21:42

@AnotherOriginalUsername I have actually buried my head in the sand dairy wise. I had vague ideas of it being cruel.
But this is in my face so it's not something I can ignore anymore really.

Qcng · 05/01/2019 21:43

You definitely need to ask them.
It could be that they got their gifts mixed up, and their calf-rearing friend is wondering why they got Chanel No5 instead of the calf-bit they asked for.

EffYouSeeKaye · 05/01/2019 21:45

Our cows and calves all live together on the same farm. The calves are fed from buckets because it would be dangerous for them to be run through the milking parlour twice a day (because of their size).

The males are NOT slaughtered on day 1! They are reared for the beef market.

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about uk dairy farms.

EspressoButler · 05/01/2019 21:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SD1978 · 05/01/2019 21:48

I'd have to ask them. I don't think it's rude to do so- you want to make the best use you can of all the thoughtful gifts they have given you, and need to know how best to use this one......please come back and let everyone know what your Aunt and Uncle think it's for and why they have it to you!!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 05/01/2019 21:49

My DD and I eat very limited dairy (we're vegetarian but have found that dairy causes us stomach pains) I've used soya milk for a couple of years now because most of my milk use was in coffee .

I a really shocked how little information on dairy production is out there (unless you search) - there was a load more on Battery Hens/Eggs and now most supermarkets stock F/R eggs and use F/R in products.

So getting the word out is all to the good though I am pretty sure most dairy calves are seperated and bucket fed while the cows are milked then they are put together but she has no milk for them. They would them wean naturally while being artificially fed (not ideal but better that that monstrosity)

Original poster
NickMyLipple · 05/01/2019 21:51

@EspressoButler I have a 9 month old daughter, but I didn't breast feed and she's virtually fully weaned! She eats everything and anything!!

OP posts:
123drink · 05/01/2019 21:51

Don't insert it whatever you do! ....,. Anywhere. That looks dangerous!!

IHeartMarmiteToast · 05/01/2019 21:55

Yes definitely ask them! My mum's family are dairy farmers , never seen one of these. Yes bull calves are raised for beef. My Uncle warned me not to buy beef from Morrisons as "it's all bull meat"

minisoksmakehardwork · 05/01/2019 21:55

Is the family who sent it cattle farmers and this got mixed up in your parcel accidentally?

VioletCharlotte · 05/01/2019 21:57

Blatantly place marking so I can find out what your aunt and uncle say when you ask them about it. How bizarre!

Juells · 05/01/2019 22:01

FFS now I feel ill :( There's no end to the cruelty of what humans will do to animals.

Flamingchips · 05/01/2019 22:03

Well this is odd

Bunnybigears · 05/01/2019 22:05

All of those feeling shocked at the cruelty of this implement really havent got a clue about how animals are treated. Cows with portholes in their sides anyone?

Flossmequick · 05/01/2019 22:07

This is where I read it, but I take your point of view as well Eff.

www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/mar/26/dairy-dirty-secret-its-still-cheaper-to-kill-male-calves-than-to-rear-them

RLOU30 · 05/01/2019 22:08

You’re right I don’t have a clue. I’m ashamed.

itsalloverforanotheryear · 05/01/2019 22:09

No idea, ask the sender?

Juells · 05/01/2019 22:09

Bunnybigears
All of those feeling shocked at the cruelty of this implement really havent got a clue about how animals are treated.

How do you know we don't?

Icklepup · 05/01/2019 22:09

Aww, how sad..
And wondering why it was gifted