4 months ago
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On a quiescent greeting successful Avaniyapuram connected the outskirts of Madurai, 2 Jallikattu bulls — Elder Style and Younger Style — are led retired of their shed for their regular routine. Walking alongside them is M. Alagu Petchi, a 15-year-old school-going miss who assists successful their training, calling them by sanction and mildly patting their necks.
Alagu Murugan, begetter of Alagu Petchi, with agelong acquisition successful rearing bulls since his childhood, said the elder bull is 5 years aged and has been participating successful Jallikattu events for astir 4 years, whereas the younger, four-year-old bull has been taking portion successful Jallikattu for the past 3 years. Both the bulls, helium said, person won prizes astatine respective events, including golden coins, an almirah and household utensils.
Regarding the bulls’ breed and however they were bought, Mr. Murugan said some bulls are brothers and beryllium to the ‘Keda Maadu’, besides known locally arsenic the ‘Kizhakathi Maadu’, breed. He said they were bought astatine the calf stage, noting that for Jallikattu, rearers similar to rise bulls from a young property arsenic it helps physique familiarity and a stronger enslaved compared to acquiring them aft they are afloat grown.
Speaking astir their training, helium said the absorption was connected regular attraction alternatively than intensive conditioning. “The astir important facet is feeding them astatine the close clip successful the close quantity.”
M. Alagu Petchi interacts with Jallikattu bulls successful Avaniyapuram, Madurai. | Photo Credit: R. ASHOK
He added that their value is maintained astatine astir 150 kg. “If the value increases, we instrumentality them for longer walks and swimming to support them fit.”
He added that grooming usually begins astir six months up of Jallikattu. Of this, the archetypal 3 months are dedicated to carnal training, portion the remaining play focuses much connected diet, which helium said plays a large relation successful preparing the bulls for the event.
Elaborating connected their diet, Mr. Murugan said the bulls are fed protein-rich food, including grains, wheat husk, cottonseed, almonds, dates, chickpeas, achromatic gram, etc. Green writer is fixed aboriginal successful the morning, which helium said helps with digestion and wide health.
Regarding the expenses, Mr. Murugan says, “As bulls are trained astir six months up of Jallikattu, with attraction expenses amounting to astir ₹10,000 a month, totalling astir ₹60,000 for the season.
On however readiness is assessed, Mr. Murugan said a bull’s temperament and carnal effect are cardinal indicators. “If a bull is energetic and responds good during workout successful unfastened spaces, we see it acceptable for the event,” helium said, adding that experienced rearers trust connected adjacent reflection alternatively than immoderate azygous test.
He added that a bull’s wellness and attraction tin beryllium assessed done regular observation, noting that erstwhile a bull sheds its aged fur, and its tegument appears steadfast and shiny, it is mostly a motion of bully condition.
When asked astir practices to beryllium avoided successful bull rearing, Mr. Murugan said galore caller rearers often travel incorrect grooming methods, including feeding earthy eggs successful the content that it builds strength. “Raw eggs tin beryllium harmful and whitethorn trim the bull’s immunity,” helium said.
He added that immoderate younger bull rearers nowadays springiness animals medicines, injections oregon different substances that are prohibited and perchance harmful. Despite proposal from experienced rearers and veterinarians, helium said, specified practices proceed successful immoderate cases.
He said that beyond carnal training, helium focuses connected subject and bully behaviour for some bulls, treating them arsenic portion of the family. “We effort to thatch the aforesaid values to my girl and lad portion grooming the bulls,” helium added.
