Why calves gnaw boards: what is the reason and what they lack, prevention

Calves often gobble or bite on things after weaning. This problem is caused by vitamin deficiency in young children and the occurrence of hypovitaminosis. At the same time, kids can gnaw a tree, eat earth, tear paper. To deal with the problem, it is important to establish why exactly the calves gnaw on the boards. In some situations, this requires the help of a veterinarian.

Why and what to do if calves gnaw boards

There are many reasons why calves start to chew on boards or other wooden objects.

Ketosis

This term is understood as a pathology that appears due to a violation of metabolic processes. The provoking factors for its development are considered to be an unbalanced diet, a deficiency of carbohydrates, and the processing of excess fat by the liver.

In addition, the reason for the development of pathology is the lack of walks in the fresh air. If measures are not taken in time, there is a risk of a chronic process. At the same time, ketone bodies accumulate in the body of the calf, which provoke damage to internal organs. In this case, the heart, liver, glands may suffer.

Veterinarians note that the risk of developing ketosis increases when feeding pets with concentrated feed. At the same time, animals face a shortage of hay or root crops.

Osteodystrophy

If a calf chews on boards or licks walls, osteodystrophy may be suspected. This pathology is characterized by a lack of vitamin D, phosphorus and calcium. Also, the cause is a violation of the proportions of these compounds.Deterioration of absorption functions in the digestive system may be due to malnutrition or inflammation of the mucous membranes. As a result, metabolism is disturbed and hypocalcemia develops.

Vitamin D deficiency in the calf and impaired calcium and phosphorus metabolism provoke noticeable problems in the process of bone formation. Also, the cub may experience rickets. When the first symptoms of problems appear, it is recommended to give calves vitamin and mineral complexes. They must contain phosphorus, calcium and vitamin D.

Hypocupros

This pathology predominates in regions with peat-marshy soil types, which contain little copper. The lack of this element occurs when its content in the ground is less than 15 milligrams per 1 kilogram, and in the feed - up to 5 milligrams per 1 kilogram.

In calves, pathology can develop against the background of prolonged feeding with milk or its substitutes.Lack or excess in the feed of a certain element provokes a chain reaction. Deficiency of cob alt or iron leads to hypocuprosis. Also, the cause of problems is an excessive amount of calcium, lead. The same applies to inorganic sulfates, sulfur, molybdenum.

Common symptoms of the disease include the following:

• developmental delay;
• a sharp drop in hemoglobin;
• violation of the wool structure;
• softening of bones and curvature of joints;
• diarrhea;
• anemia;
• appetite perversion.

To make a correct diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct laboratory tests of soil, feed, blood.For therapeutic purposes, calves should be fed with copper sulfate in the amount of 50-150 milligrams per day. It is recommended to use other substances. They are introduced into the diet as part of premixes. To prevent the disease, it is worth introducing 8-10 milligrams of copper per 1 kilogram of dry weight into the diet. When self-growing feed in the soil, it is recommended to introduce fertilizers containing copper.

It is important to avoid an overdose of copper, since this substance provokes intoxication of the body in a short time.

Hypocob altosis

This pathology is caused by a deficiency of cob alt in the soil. It belongs to the category of endemic diseases. Symptoms of the disease are usually diagnosed in spring or winter. Pathology occurs in areas with peat-marshy, subgolden and sandy soil types with a cob alt content of up to 2 milligrams per 1 kilogram. In grass and hay, its amount is 0.6 milligrams per 1 kilogram. Pathology is characterized by such signs:

• disturbance of digestive functions, in which diarrhea is replaced by constipation;
• appetite perversion;
• violation of intestinal microflora;
• symptoms of general anemia.

To replenish the lack of cob alt, calves gnaw on wood, boards, bark. They may also lick walls or other animals. Quite often cubs try to eat the earth or dry grass. To eliminate the pathology, chloride and cob alt sulfate are used. In this case, it is worth using 10-20 milligrams of the drug per day. The composition is used in tablet form, top dressing or premix. It is also permissible to buy substances with metal s alts.

It is important to include foods high in cob alt in the diet. These include legumes, beet and rutabaga tops, meat and bone meal. Feed yeast can also be used. With advanced forms of the disease, it is worth using the injection of vitamin B12.

It should be borne in mind that an overdose of a substance is more dangerous than its lack. With an excess of funds, changes are observed in the mucous membranes of the eyes, digestive organs, lung tissues or the circulatory system.

Prevention measures

To avoid problems, it is important for calves to be properly fed. It is recommended to check hay and compound feed for the presence of the required components. If a lack of substances is detected, minerals and vitamins should be introduced into the diet. On sale you can find special s alt licks. There are also s alts that include the necessary components. If there is a suspicion of bezoar disease, it is necessary to check the productivity of the uterus. With insufficient productivity of the cow, it is recommended to feed the calf.

So that the cub does not get bored, it is recommended to release it to the pasture for the whole day, and lay hay at night. This is acceptable if the calf can eat roughage. Calves may chew on boards for a variety of reasons.Most often, the provoking factor is the lack of certain substances. To cope with the problem, it is important to make the right diagnosis and choose a balanced diet.

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