When you hear the word “portholes,” you likely imagine small windows on a ship or airplane. But did you know they are also used in a very different way—on cows? Yes, you read that right!
Some cows have porthole, like openings on their sides. This may sound strange or even shocking, but there is a reason behind it. Let’s take a minute to break it down in a way that is easy to understand.
What are these Cow Portholes actually?
For those who don’t know, Cow portholes are also called cannulas or fistulas. They are small, surgically made openings that let scientists and farmers see directly into a cow’s stomach, specifically, the rumen, which is the largest of the cow’s four stomachs. A soft, plastic ring keeps the hole open so that people can look inside or take samples without needing to hurt the cow again and again.
When did this strange practice start?
Actually, this unusual practice began all the way back in the 1920s. Scientists wanted to understand how cows digest their food. By creating a small opening into the cow’s stomach, they could study how food breaks down, what gases are produced, and how different feeds affect digestion. Over time, this became a common method in research farms.
You must be wondering, why do this at all? The main goal is to learn how cows digest food. This helps scientists and farmers:
1) Make better feed plans for cows
2) Improve milk production
3) Help cows grow healthier
4) Reduce harmful gases like methane, which cows release during digestion
5) So, even though the method looks strange, it helps make farming more efficient and less harmful to the environment.
Do the Cows Feel Pain?
After the surgery, the cow takes about 4 to 6 weeks to recover. Once healed, cows with portholes usually live normal, healthy lives. In fact, some even live longer than regular cows, up to 12 to 15 years! Scientists say that these cows don’t feel pain from the porthole once they’ve recovered.
While many researchers and farmers support the use of portholes, animal rights groups are not happy with this practice. They believe it is cruel and unfair to the animals. In countries like France, protests and petitions have been launched to stop the use of cow portholes. Critics say it’s wrong to cut open an animal just for human benefit.