Why do calves sometimes eat soil and what to do
Calves or cows start eating soil or sand even with fragrant hay and a clean barn, not just when there is no food. There are a number of reasons for this, which lead to negative changes in the body and deterioration of the animal's condition. When trying to understand why calves sometimes eat soil, it is better to consult a specialist, but you can try to figure it out yourself.
Why and what to do if cows eat land
When cows and calves eat everything around and even the earth, they pay attention to the diet. Nutrition is the foundation of health. The animal is not able to tell about its state of health, so it is drawn to any object if there is a lack of something in the body. At the same time, the cow begins to taste what it reaches.
The soil is a mixture of water and solid particles of organic and mineral nature: oxidized iron, lime (calcium and magnesium), chalk, plant residues 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.
Ketosis
A disease in which the milk of a cow 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 with it 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, unhealthy enlargements of the liver, mucous membranes, breathing and pulse become more frequent. Animals lie down due to lack of strength, appetite changes - there are often cases of eating soil.
Osteodystrophy
With the consumption of feeds that are saturated with some substances and minerals more than others, osteodystrophy develops. The reasons lie in an increase in the intake of some substances (there is a lot of calcium in hay, in concentrates - an increased content of phosphorus) and a decrease in others (deficiency of vitamin D, magnesium, iron). This leads to a loss of substance balance and ionic equilibrium.
There is a transition of substances from organs, where there are reserves, to where their level is low: the restructuring of organs, bone and muscle tissues degrade, metabolism suffers. Cows lose the shine of their coat and their productivity drops.Tastes change: licking of the walls begins, ordinary food is poorly eaten, roots, boards and earth are eaten willingly.
Hypocobaltose
If the calf eats soil, hypocobaltosis is likely - a violation of cobalt deficiency. Signs of anemia appear, the mode of emptying changes (constipation alternates with diarrhea), a desire to eat unusual food appears: tree bark, bones, lick each other and walls, chew the soil.
If the disease is not recognized, the imbalance of substances in the body will increase. Structural and functional changes will begin to occur in the visual, respiratory and circulatory systems.
Hypocuprosis
Also, the reason for the cow eating the earth is hypocuprosis: the disease manifests itself with a lack of copper. Abnormal coat, developmental delays, diarrhea, misshapen joints and food perversion are the main symptoms. Metabolism changes so much that the animal has a constant hunger, it seeks to fill the stomach. It comes to licking nearby individuals, as a result of which balls of hair are formed in the stomach.
If, with such symptoms, the cow has eaten the land, urgent action is required. There are no other characteristic signs, therefore, attempts to eat inedible are considered the main criterion of the disease.
Preventive actions
Due to the imbalance of substances entering the body of calves, the best measure is nutritional control. According to studies and numerous examinations of animals, the minerals, metals and vitamins necessary for the growth and development of animals are lacking when eating something like "I ate something, and it is good." The conditions of detention greatly affect the state of health - the stall is regularly cleaned and ventilated.
From the first days of life, the calf should add semolina porridge to the milk, they offer mashed potatoes - the composition is quite rich and at the same time suitable for a small organism. After a week, you can give peels, berries, carrots, legumes. The food of animals should contain a large amount of fiber and protein. Metals and minerals are best 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 to hay, table salt - the balance of salts will be replenished. The cleanliness of the stall will complete the care. If signs of illness appear, it is better to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Vaccinations, vitamin supplements or special feeds will normalize the situation.
