Former State Commissioner for Animal Welfare with teaching duties at the University of Hohenheim
Widely spaced ribs are intended to signalize this: There is plenty of room in the chest cavity for the cow's heart and lungs, i.e. for an efficient organism. But doesn’t this picture also show something else? Creatures whose ribs protrude so clearly suffer a considerable energy deficit over a long period of time. This applies – cosmetics for photos or not – equally to humans and animals.
Originally, dairy cows were much smaller and rather roundish, mostly cozy, big-eyed creatures that are among the most important companions in human history. Some people’s favorite milk suppliers are now getting bigger and leaner. The intention is for them to still produce more and more of the white secretion.
But what is desirable about living beings obviously consuming unsatisfactory amounts of energy for long periods of time? This drains their body reserves and upsets their entire metabolism, which can ultimately lead to serious chronic illnesses. The distance between the ribs is of secondary importance.
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