Why calves eat earth: causes and what to do, preventive measures

Calves or cows begin to eat earth or sand even with fragrant hay and a clean barn, and not just in the absence of food. There are a number of reasons for this, which lead to negative changes in the body and a deterioration in the condition of the animal. When trying to understand why calves sometimes eat dirt, it's best to consult a specialist, but you can try to figure it out yourself.

Why and what to do if cows eat earth

When cows and calves eat everything around and even the earth, they pay attention to the diet. Nutrition is the basis of he alth.The animal is not able to tell about its well-being, so it reaches for any object if there is a lack of something in the body. At the same time, the cow begins to try what it reaches.

Soil is a mixture of water and organic and mineral solids: oxidized iron, lime (calcium and magnesium), chalk, plant remains and much more. Not finding food or trying to fill the stomach, the animal begins to eat the earth. As a result, a disease or malfunction of the digestive system is possible, up to death.

There may be other causes - diseases that require detection and treatment. Of course, you can't do without a veterinarian, but the main symptoms are well known.

Ketosis

The disease in which cow's milk smells like acetone is ketosis: this is an increased level of acid formation in milk and urine, changes in organs. Most often, cows get sick at calving and in the first months of lactation - the calf eats low-quality milk, which causes a decrease in vitality and depression.He becomes shy, eats poorly, and the cow gives less milk and loses weight.

In advanced cases, toxicosis is diagnosed, unhe althy enlargement of the liver, mucous membranes, breathing and pulse become more frequent. Animals lie due to a breakdown, appetite changes - cases of eating soil are not uncommon.

Osteodystrophy

When consuming feeds that are saturated with some substances and minerals more than others, osteodystrophy develops. The reasons lie in the increase in the intake of some substances (there is a lot of calcium in hay, the high content of phosphorus in concentrates) and the decrease in others (deficiency of vitamin D, magnesium, iron). This leads to a loss of balance of substances and ionic equilibrium.

There is a transition of substances from organs where there are reserves to where their level is low: restructuring of organs, bone and muscle tissue degrade, metabolism suffers. Cows lose their coat shine, productivity drops.Tastes change: licking of the walls begins, ordinary food is not eaten well, roots, boards and earth are eagerly eaten.

Hypocob altosis

If the calf eats earth, hypocob altosis is likely - a violation of cob alt deficiency. Signs of anemia appear, the emptying regimen changes (constipation alternates with diarrhea), a desire is manifested to eat unusual food: tree bark, bones, lick each other and walls, chew soil.

If you do not recognize the disease, the imbalance of substances in the body will increase. Structural and functional changes will begin to occur in the visual, respiratory and circulatory systems.

Hypocupros

Also, the cause of cow eating land is hypocuprosis: the disease manifests itself with a lack of copper.Abnormal hair, developmental delays, diarrhea, deformed joints and perversion in eating are the main symptoms. The metabolism changes so strongly that the animal becomes constantly hungry, it seeks to fill the stomach. It comes to licking nearby individuals, as a result of which balls of hair form in the stomach.

If the cow has eaten the earth with these symptoms, urgent action is required. There are no other characteristic signs, therefore, attempts to eat inedible are considered the main criterion for the disease.

Prevention measures

Due to the imbalance of substances entering the body of calves, the best measure is nutrition control. According to studies and numerous examinations of animals, minerals, metals and vitamins necessary for growth and development are not enough when eating something like "ate something, and it's good." The conditions of detention greatly affect the state of he alth - the stall is regularly cleaned and ventilated.

From the first days of a calf's life, semolina porridge should be added to milk, mashed potatoes are offered - the composition is rich enough and at the same time suitable for a small organism. A week later, you can give peelings, berries, carrots, legumes. In the food of animals should be present a large amount of fiber and protein. Metals and minerals are optimally obtained from natural food.

All food and feed should be checked for cleanliness from the ground. An increased load on the digestive system is undesirable. You can add grated chalk and bone meal, table s alt to the hay - the balance of s alts will be replenished. The cleanliness of the stall will complete the care. When signs of illness appear, it is better to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. Vaccinations, vitamin supplements or special foods will normalize the situation.

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