You Probably Didn"t Know This Grotesque Practice Is Used On Farms Across The U.S.

If you thought piercings were unnatural, it’s time to learn about cow holes. Many cows on cattle farms walk around with big gaping holes exposing their stomachs. It might look unnatural, but the cows are surprisingly not bothered by these holes. In fact, the holes may potentially extend their lifespans.

This may look like a disturbing sight, but the gaping hole in this cow’s side is actually called a fistula, and is used by scientists to test a cow’s digestive process.

As the cows are fed, the fistula allows for scientists to observe how the food is digested.

This observation requires scientists to physically reach into the cow and feel the consistency of the digestion.

The cows aren’t bothered by the fistula procedure at all. In fact, it’s actually beneficial to the cow. If a fistulated cow grows sick, he can be administered the proper medicine directly to the stomach.

(via odditycentral)

I know the holes don’t hurt the cow at all, but could they at least put a patch or something over it? Nobody wants to see that.

You Probably Didn"t Know This Grotesque Practice Is Used On Farms Across The U.S.