Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Questions about cows

148 replies

birdling · 13/07/2025 09:33

Yesterday, I drove past the same field of cows 4 times in an hour and I have some questions that have been puzzling me, if anyone can help?

  1. The weather was very, very hot. Full sun. Every time I went past, the cows were standing huddled together in a group in different places in the field. There was no shade in the field (although there might be in other parts, I couldn't see the whole area). Do cows like the sun? Do they get sunstroke/burn? Was the huddling together due to the sun?

  2. There was always one cow who wasn't in the group, but standing a few metres away. Was she an outcast? A rebel? The head cow?

  3. Many years ago, when I was a student, I was camping in the middle of the countryside next to an archaeological dig I was working on. The was a field of cows next to our campsite. Every night, in the middle of the night the cows would all suddenly thunder down the field to the fence by my tent, all moo really loudly then thunder back up the field again. They would do this at several points during the night. What in earth were they doing????

I really like cows.😁

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
IAmNotASheep · 13/07/2025 21:24

Jitterybugs2 · 13/07/2025 20:31

This herd of cows are enjoying their music session 😊

So lovely

HazelHedgehog · 13/07/2025 21:29

Cows can definitely get sunburnt , but not sure why only the odd one does. Maybe colour of skin.

Dr13Hadley · 13/07/2025 21:30

I love this thread! Cows are so cool 😎 I love that young ones get the zoomies!
I concur about having to put sunscreen on cats and horses where they have pink skin. I’ve had to do both. The horses were much more forgiving than the cats!

FindingMeno · 13/07/2025 21:31

I'm terrified of cows but even I have had a little "Awwww" moment at the thought of them having the zoomies!

MotherOfCatBoy · 13/07/2025 21:31

As a walker/ hiker, cows scare me, and I will climb a fence/ hedge if I have to, to be on the empty side of the barrier. (I once did this to avoid a herd of very frisky and curious young cows). But I also feel very sympathetic towards them and their lives led for us (for milk or headed for the slaughterhouse), especially when they take the calves from their mothers. I do think they are cleverer than we give them credit for.

Kneeslikethese · 13/07/2025 21:32

Oh to be licked by a cow, heaven.
There was a field of cows next to us where I lived when I was young. I'd often go and say hello and be treated to a lick. They have the loveliest tongues.

TheTecknician · 13/07/2025 21:52

My late Mum always used to say 'cush cush cush' if we were walking past a herd of cows in a field. Goodness knows why - I never remembered to ask her why.

CaptainMyCaptain · 14/07/2025 06:50

TheTecknician · 13/07/2025 21:52

My late Mum always used to say 'cush cush cush' if we were walking past a herd of cows in a field. Goodness knows why - I never remembered to ask her why.

I always say 'Good morning/afternoon ladies'. No idea why.

TheTecknician · 14/07/2025 08:04

What breeds of cattle do you have in your area? Round here it's mainly Ayrshires and Holsteins. Some Jerseys would be nice to see.

WestwardHo1 · 14/07/2025 09:21

Oh we have lots of Jerseys and Guernseys. They make the best ice cream 😋

TheTecknician · 14/07/2025 12:35

WestwardHo1 · 14/07/2025 09:21

Oh we have lots of Jerseys and Guernseys. They make the best ice cream 😋

Rich in butterfat!

FictionalCharacter · 14/07/2025 13:52

afaloren · 13/07/2025 13:53

I like cows but I’m a bit wary of them. I read that more people are killed in the UK by cows than by any other animal!

Nothing to worry about if you’re sensible. My ex had been a farm worker, was unusually tuned in to the characteristics and behaviours of farm animals (which many sadly aren’t), and I learned a lot from him when we were out and about in the countryside.

Cattle are prey animals but defend themselves against perceived threats to themselves or their calves. The vast majority of attacks are when people have a dog (predator) with them, or on farmers. Cattle are inquisitive. They really aren’t likely to attack humans. They do like to sniff and lick us though, especially in summer when we have lovely salty sweat!

If you walk through a field with cattle, just walk, don’t approach them and don’t stare at them. If they have calves especially, keep to the path, don’t stop and don’t look at them. As with many animal species, staring is received as an act of aggression. Especially by bulls. Use your peripheral vision only. They do watch our body language and if you just go about your business, looking neither scared nor aggressive, they know they have nothing to fear. When there’s a public footpath through their field, they understand that that’s where the humans walk and they ignore you if you stay on it, but become alert if you leave the path and move towards them. I always look briefly in their direction and say “hi cows, it’s only me” 😁 They understand that I’ve seen them, they’ve seen me and I’m not stalking them.

I’ve been followed across fields by groups of inquisitive cattle, usually young bullocks - it’s just a little game for them, something to do. If you’re worried because they’re getting too close, wave your arms, and shoo them away. They’ll run off. But they might come back!

MotherOfCatBoy · 14/07/2025 21:13

CaptainMyCaptain · 14/07/2025 06:50

I always say 'Good morning/afternoon ladies'. No idea why.

Me too! Always talk to them from some way off so they know we’re there and aren’t startled, especially if wind direction means they haven’t scented us yet.

Misbella · 15/07/2025 09:14

P00hsticks · 13/07/2025 09:57

The only question I can partly answer is that I don't believe cows get sunstroke.
I've always read that the only animals that can get sunburnt are pigs, hence why if you ever see them in fields they always have plenty of metal shelters from the sun.

Edited

I have to put sunscreen on my horses nose and the more bald/pink parts of face. Plenty of animals get sunburn

WestwardHo1 · 15/07/2025 10:18

Do they make special horse/cat (etc) suncream? Genuine question. I can't imagine an animal putting up with the sticky, greasy feeling and not just cleaning it off, especially a cat. I find it unpleasant enough as a human!

DancefloorAcrobatics · 15/07/2025 10:50

The weather was very, very hot. Full sun. Every time I went past, the cows were standing huddled together in a group in different places in the field. There was no shade in the field (although there might be in other parts, I couldn't see the whole area). Do cows like the sun? Do they get sunstroke/burn? Was the huddling together due to the sun? They usually huddle together to hide the solar panels for their electric devices. There was always one cow who wasn't in the group, but standing a few metres away. Was she an outcast? A rebel? The head cow? See above. (It's the look out to tell the others to put the iPads away & huddle together when humans are approaching!) Many years ago, when I was a student, I was camping in the middle of the countryside next to an archaeological dig I was working on. The was a field of cows next to our campsite. Every night, in the middle of the night the cows would all suddenly thunder down the field to the fence by my tent, all moo really loudly then thunder back up the field again. They would do this at several points during the night. What in earth were they doing???? Checking that all humans were either asleep or to afraid to go outside before trotting off to the rave 3 fields away to the left.

CaptainMyCaptain · 15/07/2025 12:24

WestwardHo1 · 15/07/2025 10:18

Do they make special horse/cat (etc) suncream? Genuine question. I can't imagine an animal putting up with the sticky, greasy feeling and not just cleaning it off, especially a cat. I find it unpleasant enough as a human!

I've seen ordinary sunscreen for humans used on pigs.

birdling · 19/07/2025 19:16

Just thought I would update this for anyone who is interested. I went past the same cows four times again today and although they were all huddled together again, there was no look out cow today.

OP posts:
TheTecknician · 19/07/2025 19:32

The lookout was behind you all the time. That's why you didn't see her. BTW, why are you driving past these cows four times a day? Are they up to no good?

Brendahollowayreconsider · 19/07/2025 19:47

Or look oot coos only work Mon to Fri 🐮

WestwardHo1 · 19/07/2025 20:23

birdling · 19/07/2025 19:16

Just thought I would update this for anyone who is interested. I went past the same cows four times again today and although they were all huddled together again, there was no look out cow today.

I'm loving this thread. It's truly random

Brendahollowayreconsider · 19/07/2025 20:29

On yonder hill there stood a coo
It must have fucked off
Cos it's nae there noo🐮.
Ne Scottish rhyme.

TheGreenBow · 19/07/2025 21:12

I’m lucky enough to live next to a field of cows. They’re very inquisitive and always come up to see us at the fence - they get in a big line just looking while also continuing to eat grass (which must take up 99% of their time - even at night once at midnight I was in the garden and could hear them still eating 🤣🤣).

When new young cows are moved into the field they spend time running up and down in a big group. I think it’s the first time they’ve been let out and they look fascinated by leaves and trees and twigs on the ground.

I also noticed them all huddling together on a really hot day recently but also that they were constantly scratching with their legs and flicking their tales so my theory is it’s something to do with helping reduce irritation from flies. I think someone else suggested that too earlier in the thread.

So happy to see a cow thread, I love them 😀

TheTecknician · 19/07/2025 21:17

It's ironic that the insults 'stupid cow, silly cow, daft cow' and so on are derived from such noble creatures. Similarly, pigs get a rough ride when labelling dirty or greedy persons.

birdling · 19/07/2025 21:40

TheTecknician · 19/07/2025 21:17

It's ironic that the insults 'stupid cow, silly cow, daft cow' and so on are derived from such noble creatures. Similarly, pigs get a rough ride when labelling dirty or greedy persons.

Yes, it makes you wonder where the insults originated, as cows clearly aren't stupid.

Probably Shakespeare, he seems to have coined most terms and he did like a good insult.

OP posts: