25 July 2024

Farmer Kirsten's Blog - The Four Stomachs of a Cow

That farmer Kirsten from FarmCamps De Buitenhoeve knows a lot about making cheese, we already knew that! But of course, a good farmer also knows everything about cows. Because the milk to make those delicious cheeses comes from that beautiful animal. You may have heard that a cow has not one but four stomachs. They are also called ruminants. They stand in the meadow all day long grinding grass. What is the deal with a cow's four stomachs? Why does a cow have four and we only have one? Farmer Kirsten tells you all about it in this blog.

When a calf is born, it already has four stomachs. But only one works and that is the abomasum. That is the stomach that we basically also have. The abomasum has an acidic base and can therefore digest milk. The other three stomachs are activated when the calf starts eating coarse grass. Think of hay, alfalfa and straw, for example. These products sting a bit and that also gets the calf's other stomachs going. The cow's digestive system is therefore specially set up to digest this type of plant. We humans of course eat very different food, which is easier to digest. That is why we only need one stomach.

Mnemonic
A cow has four stomachs to make milk from grass. But what exactly is the order of these stomachs? There is a mnemonic for this, namely: PaiNtBaL. The capital letters in paintball indicate the following order: rumen, reticulum, omasum, abomasum. Handy, right?

How does it work exactly?
The rumen is the largest stomach with a capacity of approximately 200 liters. You could see this stomach as a basic stomach. This is a large storage tank where all the food is mixed and kneaded. When a cow is eating, all the food ends up in the rumen.

When a cow lies down nicely, she starts to ruminate. She burps up a mouthful of food from the rumen and then chews it 50 times. Then she swallows it, and when the food is small enough, it passes through the reticulum. The name says it all, this stomach looks like a net. If the food is small enough, it passes from the reticulum to the omasum.

The omasum looks like a book with pages. When the food passes the omasum, water and minerals are extracted. It then enters the abomasum where it is further digested and eventually ends up in the intestines.

During rumination and digestion, the cow can convert the grass and food into delicious milk, what remains in the intestines eventually becomes a big brown-green cow patty, flatssss!

Book your holiday

Do you want to know everything about cows? Then book your holiday on a real dairy farm. Here you will learn a lot more about cows!

More stories from the farm

18 April 2025
Camping on the farm is educational and a joy for children.

If you really want to make kids happy, put them among cows, chickens, and muddy puddles. Seriously. Forget that holiday park with water slides and animation teams – on the farm, they've got their own kind of entertainment. Think feeding goats, collecting eggs, brushing ponies, and romping in the hay. And the best part? They actually learn something too. Without even realizing it.

Read more
18 April 2025
Luxury camping at the glamping site on a farm.

Camping on a farm? It might sound old-fashioned, but it’s not as bad as you think. This isn’t your typical campsite where you walk around with a toilet roll under your arm or hear your air mattress deflate at night. Here, it’s all about glamping. In other words, camping with a bit of extra luxury. Think of a comfy bed, your own toilet, a small kitchen, and sometimes even a hot tub next to your tent. You’re right in the heart of farm life, but without sacrificing comfort.

Read more
16 April 2025
Safari tent campings in the Netherlands | Compare regions & find your ideal glamping spot

Looking for a safari tent camping in the Netherlands? Discover the most beautiful campsites by region, from the Veluwe to Zeeland. Compare small-scale and larger glamping locations!

Read more
15 April 2025
Safari Tent Holiday in the Netherlands | Tips & Benefits of Luxury Camping

Curious about a safari tent holiday in the Netherlands? Discover why it’s the perfect mix of comfort and nature, with tips to make the most of your stay!

Read more
04 April 2025
FarmCamps with horses: a dream holiday for every horse lover

Is your child crazy about horses and ponies? That’s perfect—so are we! And our farmers even more so. FarmCamps is the ideal place for pony fans, because at several of our farms you can cuddle with ponies, take riding lessons, or even have your very own care pony for a few days. At some farms, you can even bring your own horse or pony. So many possibilities! Our horses and ponies can’t wait to meet you. 

Read more
18 March 2025
The cows are dancing again! Spring at Hoeve Sonneclaer

Last weekend it happened: the cows of the dairy farm Hoeve Sonneclaer were finally allowed out to the pasture after a long winter in the barn! This annual moment is always a celebration – for the cows and for everyone who comes to watch. Hundreds of people were present at this yearly ‘cow dance.’ The sun was shining, happy children stood by the fences, and the cows themselves? They jumped, bucked, and ran enthusiastically into the pasture. A beautiful sight!

Read more
18 March 2025
New at FarmCamps: Thursday Arrivals!

Great news for all farm lovers! We now offer Thursday arrivals, allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors, farm animals, and luxurious camping even longer. Perfect for those who want to extend their weekend or plan more flexibly. 

Read more
07 March 2025
FarmCamps with swimming pool and more water fun on the nicest farms!

What’s better than a holiday on the farm? Right, a holiday on the farm with swimming opportunities! At FarmCamps, you can enjoy the outdoor life while cooling off in the water. Whether you love splashing around in a heated pool, playing in a farm pool, or taking a refreshing dip in a nearby swimming lake or beach: there’s always a FarmCamps location that suits you. In this blog, we’ve gathered the best FarmCamps with swimming options for you!

Read more
29 January 2025
Let's go to the farm with Frutesse, and Canisius

With the delicious syrups from Frutesse & Canisius, you can now save for discounts and win fantastic prizes, like a weekend at FarmCamps. Find out how to participate and enjoy a unique farm holiday full of fun and relaxation. 

Read more
04 October 2024
Autumn holidays at FarmCamps 🍂🍁: 5 farm-tastic reasons

The autumn holidays are just around the corner, and what could be better than a cozy holiday in the middle of nature, among the animals, with the whole family? At FarmCamps you experience real farm life in a unique way, and autumn offers the perfect setting for that

Read more

Read more about our farms

Loading...