To feed the cows?

[PattyCow]

We walk along a footpath that has cows to one side behind a wire fence. They generally come over to see us when we walk past. DS likes to have a little chat with them. To be honest I feel a bit intimidated by them but I suppose behind a fence there isn't much they can do. DS suggested bringing them carrots. Would this be similar to feeding someone's horse which I know is not ok? Is there anything we could feed them?

Some farmers would be ok with it some really really wouldn't.

I would see if you can find out who owns them and ask.

The reality is that the odd carrot here or there won't harm them though, it's a bit different to horses A because there are lots more of them to go at so it's unlikely they could be overfed by well meaning passers by and B they aren't handled as closely as horses so the biting/hunting for food from all humans issues aren't the same.

Don't feed them. Just leave them be FFS. If you're intimidated by them now, when they catch on you've got food, you'll be fucked.
They're quite dangerous animals.

Don’t. Just leave them be.

Never feed someone else's animals (unless authorised by the owner) Just wave and have a chat.

Don't feed other people's animals.

Speaking as a farmer, by the way.

If you really must feed them, just grab a handful of grass

There's no need to feed them.

I wouldn't. They have calves and will be protective of them and if there's a bull among them, you'd be mad to go near them.

Don't feed them.

Tell ds to take along a book and read them a story!
My ds looks at books with our ddogs and they seem to love it!!

Nah, farmers get quite funny because of outside food contamination risk of disease/losing their profits over sick cows.

Just give them a pet if they're friendly, and a handful of grass they'd eat anyway. Be careful though, big cows and spooking cause an injury even with a fence between you

They're very sweet ! I adore cows

Don’t, there’s really no need to so why risk it? Stick to having a nice chat with them!

Don't feed any farm animals. Or horses

Sing to them. We have cows and they love it.

I wouldn't bring them carrots, but I'm sure they'd enjoy a handful of freshly picked grass. Cows are quite curious so likely enjoy just looking at you over the fence!

My two cousins got ecoli from cow saliva. The both ended up in intensive care and nearly died. I’d leave well alone.

You ought not to bring anything from outside to feed the cows - some herds, this could be an issue - organic cows for example must eat a certain diet to retain their organic status. Also fresh carrots can upset a cows tummy a bit in large quantities.

Don't assume that a fence will keep them in either - we have a farmer friend with a cow that jumps them! Feed them and get them excited, and you may find you're in a closer encounter than you expected! Or they may push the fence down by getting a bit bargy together.

Someone said mind bulls - bulls aren't always as bad as they're painted. I know a few farmers with cows - one has a beef bull who is as gentle as can be - you can safely go in with him, pat him, everything. Even though he is in the field, serving cows - he's a good lad, and breeds the most beautiful calves. Dairy bulls are notorious for being bad tempered, where beef bulls are known for being much even tempered.

The reality is though, that any cow can be dangerous - you can be trampled, barged, squished - people are killed by cows every year. Never assume any of them will be fine, or do anything to increase dangerous behaviours - which would include feeding them - if you don't know them.

To all the people saying feed them grass -

I would MUCH rather someone gave our cows the odd clean supermarket carrot here or there that handfuls of pathway grass covered in goodness knows what.

Honestly though, if we were asked if one child could feed the cows every now and then we wouldn't mind as long as we had been asked. I still think it's very different to horses where every passing 'animal lover' thinks it's ok to give them a carrot and a sugar lump. Cows don't tend to attract the same attention.

Carrots contain a lot of sugar. At our local City farm there are signs asking people not to feed the horses carrots, as they are overweight from eating them.

Oh they are so beautiful, I love cows so much. I love the way they smell and their warm sweet breath, and how nosey they are. Love them.

Please don't feed them. You don't know if you might be doing some damage. And please also don't feed them grass from the path side etc - it may contain plants or anything not great for cows that the farmer ensures aren't in the field. My friend's horse got sick from someone feeding handful of grass from the lane side - they were feeding him a mixture of all sorts.

@Epiphany52 Surely that's rather rare? I've never heard of anyone nearly dying from being kissed by a cow.

We shall stick to stroking the odd cow that shoves it's head through unless I can figure out who owns them. It's not near a farm so I'm not sure.

I really wouldn't want them to barge the fence over and hadn't really contemplated that they might. The footpath is about a meter wide and runs between two fields both with barbed wire fences. If they barged their fence they'd pin us against the other fence.

Perhaps we'll try singing them a few nursery rhymes. I'm really hoping pp who suggested that isn't pulling my leg!

Anything to watch for to tell if the cows aren't happy with us being there?

If the cows aren't happy they'll start jostling, making noises. You'll feel the energy rising.

We sing to our horses, not tried singing to a cow.