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?

Don't feed them! You'd be doing it to indulge yourself, leave other people's animals alone.

scrowy they should not at all. Farmer I know does this to
Help them move - tugs long grass handful, tickles them and then feeds it to them once moved.

All animals should have access to fresh, clean water at all times this is one of the 'five Freedoms' that is the corner stone to animal welfare.

Hmm, they have troughs but they just seem to empty when I walk past. Maybe they get filled in the morning and they drink it all by the evening? I have seen them eating bread which I think is for beef cattle?

Usernameuser

Is there any chance the cattle you see use a pressure / water fountain system? It's not that common these days but in ye old time days particularly pre foot and mouth it was quite common for cows to be trained to press a lever down to release water into a bowler trough.

I don't think so, there is nothing near the troughs they just stand alone at the edge of a field.

If they all push to get to the carrots, that's one fence flattened..... I heard about incidents of this happening from someone last year.