What is an Ox?
Posted: Thursday, 24 April 2008 |
An "Ox" is a working bovine (bull, castrated male or cow) of any breed that is over four years of age. (Being an Ox is an equal-opportunity career!) Up until four years of age the bovine is called either a "Working Bull", a "Working Steer" or a "Working Cow."
The name of "Ox" is dependent on the animal being used for work such as pulling a cart, a plow or being ridden. If it's used for milk it's a cow, if it's used for siring offspring it's a bull and if it's being raised for meat it's a steer (or stot...).
I guess Isadore would be a Working Calf since he's only 7 months old?? Then, at one year of age he'll become a Working Steer unil he's four years old. At that grand and noble age he'll finally become.... an official Ox!!
I have no idea who made these rules up...
I hope that clarifies the Ox thing!
Comments
so an ox is more a concept than a breed ... :-) thanks for that ... :-)
soaplady from ah so that's it ... :-)
I think that clarifies the whole ox thing very well! If he becomes defunct in the working ox category, I suppose he could become a series of misteaks...
Flying Cat from living in hope
Everything you ever wanted to know about oxen but were afraid to ask. Nice one Moo. PS I agree with your letter in the paper about you-know-who!
Stromness Dragon from QI corner
I never knew that about oxen. All I remember was "Ahlee, ahlee, oxen free" at the end of hide-and-seek. ;)
DefineYourTerms from Outside DC, USA
What happens to a "Working Bull" after the age of 4? I think it might be almost as ominous as a normal he-calf becoming an Ox..... Job description for WB: "A short life but a happy one", OK?
Barney from Swithiod
Ox, bull, cow or steer. What's in a name. Just look at all those lovely steaks on the hoof. Yummy.
Rumbletum from standing at the BBQ
Series of misteaks, eh? Not bad FC. Put a hold on the rib eyes for me. I could use the tenderloin bits as well.
mjc from NM,USA
Mjc, that mistake is just too beyond the pale! Time out for you!!
Barney from Swithiod groaning
Fab post Michelle. I honestly thought an ox was a different kind of animal..... :D
Emily from USA
Barney, after four years a working bull becomes a sitting bull. You will note, Barney old boy, that I refrained from capitalizing anything, for to act otherwise would be deemed - in this odd world of ours - a capital offense. I intend to have my scalp still intact when I go to a certain Paradise to claim my forty virgins.
mjc from NM,USA
Hi Michelle! You have been on my mind so I looked through my old MIH e-mails and found your blog address. Congratulations on your pregnancy and I pray that all goes well for you. Diane from MIH
Diane from Ohio (USA)
Hi! I know this is totally the wrong post to reply to but I'm not sure where else to put it. I found your blog from a comment you posted on Domestic Felicity, and I just wanted to tell you that if I were in Scotland I'd come to your house, give you a great big hug and kiss on the cheek, and get to work helping you. I don't know who you have coming over that makes you feel bad but you should offer to meet them in town for a coffee instead, or ask them to help you. There is no shame in asking for help, and it will reveal the true heart of someone. Christ came to serve, not to be served. If someone is shocked or offended to help you or that you even asked, they need a lot more of God's kindness in their life! You are not a failure as a wife. If you love your husband, and do the best you can in God's strength, if you take the grace that God gives you for each "failure" and do what He desires - to move forward from there, not to dwell in it, then you do not fail. Congratulations on your pregnancy, I'm sorry you are suffering through it. Blessings to you, your husband, your little one on the way, and your farm.
Jenn from Memphis, TN
what's going on?
scallowawife from in the dark...
So...I traded my quiet cabin in the Alaskan woods for the howling winds of Orkney and life on a farm. 
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