Adult bovines, who drank milk from their herd members.

These two bovines below had one thing in common. Adult bovines, who drank milk from their herd members.

A lot of activists claim these devices are “stapled” in place or, go completely through the nose. Both those statements are incorrect. They claim they are cruel, they cause immeasurable pain and suffering. Again, incorrect.

These are more commonly used on animals past the age of weaning, not for weaning, but to stop an adult bovine from drinking from their herd members.

They are generally used to stop an adult cow suckling, known as “Anti Suckling devices” or “suckling preventers” amongst other names used.

An adult cow suckling on another adult cow can cause severe damage, such as crushed teat canals, causing them to seal up, this does lead to mastitis and that cow will end up culled to prevent further suffering. It can also cause the teats to become ripped which requires stitching, or the teat bitten off, resulting in an exposed canal which lets in bacteria and will, without a doubt, cause continuous mastitis. Imagine having a constant infection you cannot clear despite antibiotics?

These devices are simply, place onto the nose and held on the cartilage of the nose, and tightened for a secure, snug fit with a wing nut (butterfly nut) as seen in the photos below. (First photo is on the left of the device by his nose, he’s a bull. The third photo it’s at the bottom of the device in plain sight)

These devices do not penetrate the cartilage in the nose, like a bullring does, they are like a fake piercing, no hole required to fit. Simply pop on the nose, tighten to secure and go.

The main one catching flack currently is the one pictured with the bull, it looks harsh, but it really isn’t. It’s made of light metal, and the bull actually destroyed his, bent all the spikes, and the plate itself. The second photo is of him recently, the device was in back in the winter (January this year) his nose is still whole, with no man made hole in sight.

These devices are a godsend, they stop unnecessary injury and damage to cows, whilst also teaching the thief that stealing milk as an adult has consequences. Cows are intelligent and soon learn that doing so, isn’t worth it. Some will never break the habit, but these two did. The Friesian cow is 4 years clean, the Ayrshire bull is 7 months clean.

Their noses have no damage, no scarring, no new holes. Nothing.

There are multiple different designs on the market, but they all serve a purpose, the “Quiet Weans” are, as the name suggests, for calves being weaned, these mean, the calves can stay with their dams during weaning. And they fit the same way too, minus the wing nut adjustment.

If you’ve never experienced a cow biting you, you won’t understand how painful it is, it’s worse than a pig, dog, horse or human bite. It’s excruciating, my broken fingers can attest to the pain from both adult bovines and calves alike. I don’t recommend you find out, but, after experiencing that kind of pain myself, I wouldn’t allow another living being, to experience it, not even my worst enemy.

This practice isn’t cruel, it’s to prevent suffering. They are easily removed from the animal, are not heavy, and do not harm, the spikes actually feel like flies, cows kick when flies touch their legs/udder.

People may not agree with this, but it’s a device used to the welfare and future of animals. They’re like using a muzzle on your dog because they don’t like the vet, or are reactive towards other dogs. It’s to avoid injury. They make look like “cruel torture devices” as I’ve read countless times, but it’s a lot kinder than allowing an animal to suffer because another bit her teat off.