Do farm animals get struck by lightning?

09/08/2004 08:51:24 AM · #1

We're always told to seek shelter away from trees or in a car, but they don't really have much choice.

And I've never seen fried cows in a field after a storm.

thatcloudthere

Canon EOS-1D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM II

09/08/2004 08:56:21 AM · #2

Originally posted by Imagineer:

We're always told to seek shelter away from trees or in a car, but they don't really have much choice.

And I've never seen fried cows in a field after a storm.

I kind of thought these cows looked fried, but I guess I'm using the definition of 'fried' from my high-school days...

giega

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

09/08/2004 08:58:22 AM · #3

I am sure animals get hit by lightning. Except they don't report it to the news, unlike the people ;-)

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/08/2004 09:03:55 AM · #4

Originally posted by Imagineer:

We're always told to seek shelter away from trees or in a car, but they don't really have much choice.

And I've never seen fried cows in a field after a storm.

I have (horses and cows). :-(

digistoune

Canon EOS-20D

09/08/2004 09:08:01 AM · #5

ROTFLMAO!! I'm sorry! I know farm animals are important - it's just that sometimes you people post the funniest stuff!

Gotta love DPC - not only will you learn everything you ever wanted to know about [insert topic here] but you can discuss how to keep Bessie from becoming bar-b-q!!

thatcloudthere

Canon EOS-1D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

09/08/2004 09:11:26 AM · #6

I heard that there's a special cow-heaven for those unlucky ones that are struck by lightning...

For that matter, I think fried horses and emus end up there, too!

Cow Heaven

digistoune

Canon EOS-20D

09/08/2004 09:13:43 AM · #7

That's just hilariously sick!!!

Trinch

Canon EOS-40D

09/08/2004 09:19:52 AM · #8

Sorry for the serious answer, but yes. Actually, livestock is even more likely to be killed than humans. They are susceptible to ground charge as well as a direct strike since they have four legs on the ground and the charge will pass through the heart as it goes from their front legs to their back legs.

Links 2 3 4

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/08/2004 09:31:26 AM · #9

I've hauled cattle that have been struck by lightning...It's not a pretty site.

annasense

Olympus E-500 EVOLT

Olympus 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital ED

09/08/2004 09:33:37 AM · #10

Originally posted by Trinch:

The World's Greatest Prints!*
* Based on an impartial survey with a sample size of 1. (My mom)

ROFL! Not about the post, but your signature cracked me up!! I wish my mom were so kind. She's the only one I know who looks for faults in my photography. Fortunately, my dad's my biggest fan and supporter. :)

Edit: My mom's the only one I know ASIDE from the millions of DPC people out there. ;)

Message edited by author 2004-09-08 13:34:47.

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/08/2004 09:34:18 AM · #11

Originally posted by Imagineer:

We're always told to seek shelter away from trees or in a car, but they don't really have much choice.

And I've never seen fried cows in a field after a storm.

I have (horses and cows). :-(

Tamron AF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical for Nikon

09/08/2004 10:41:35 AM · #12

Originally posted by Links 2 3 4:

I've hauled cattle that have been struck by lightning...It's not a pretty site.

So it does happen then. I wonder if they have any rational fear then, because all the animals I see during thunderstorms seem to just hang around waiting to die. ; )

When you say you haul cattle - do you wait for a job lot after a really bad storm or do you haul ones that have died of other causes such as slaughter, road kill or heart attacks?

vtruan

Nikon D5100

09/08/2004 10:55:59 AM · #13

My Cousin in W. Kansas lost a $20.000 bull by lightning as it was preforming its duty. The lady cow died too. Van

Message edited by author 2004-09-08 14:56:20.

Spork99

Canon EOS R8

Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM

09/08/2004 11:14:31 AM · #14

My uncle lost his prized Tennessee Walking Horse to lightning.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

09/08/2004 11:19:56 AM · #15

Originally posted by zeuszen:

I have (horses and cows). :-(

How did you know they'd been struck Zeus?

RHoldenSr

Canon EOS-5D

09/08/2004 11:38:58 AM · #16

And don't most animals take cover under the trees when it storms/rains?

:(

thatcloudthere

Canon EOS-1D

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR

09/08/2004 11:43:14 AM · #17

I hear that in Texas, those with prize-winning bulls, cows and horses buy a giraffe and put him in the same field to use as a lightning rod.

jadin

Nikon D800

09/08/2004 11:50:03 AM · #18

Wierdest.. thread.. ever..

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

09/08/2004 11:53:59 AM · #19

Originally posted by Imagineer:

Originally posted by zeuszen:
I have (horses and cows). :-(

How did you know they'd been struck Zeus?

They are sort of...DEAD! I have seen it a couple of times when I worked on the farm. After thunderstorms we used to walk to fields to check the herd. Usually about midnight, the cowman was afraid of the dark, and thunderstorms.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

09/08/2004 12:20:25 PM · #20

Originally posted by Wolfie:

After thunderstorms we used to walk to fields to check the herd. Usually about midnight, the cowman was afraid of the dark, and thunderstorms.

Isn't this a bit like going to the woods with some friends after hearing about a prowler, getting to the deepest, darkest bit and saying "let's split up"? Why midnight if the poor cowman was so scared anyway?
:D

Bungler

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

09/08/2004 12:37:35 PM · #21

A couple of years ago a small herd of 22 cattle were killed in a single lightning strike in Zimbabwe. This of course was immediately blamed on a curse made by a local n'anga (witchdoctor) so none of the beef was eaten and the whole lot went to waste.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

09/08/2004 12:49:12 PM · #22

Originally posted by Imagineer:

Originally posted by Wolfie:
After thunderstorms we used to walk to fields to check the herd. Usually about midnight, the cowman was afraid of the dark, and thunderstorms.

Isn't this a bit like going to the woods with some friends after hearing about a prowler, getting to the deepest, darkest bit and saying "let's split up"? Why midnight if the poor cowman was so scared anyway?
:D

Cos that was his job...I was just went with him to HELP!

And, the best thunderstorms always happen just before midnight.

Better if there is a Full Moon as well!

mrorange002

Canon EOS-5D