The cow does not eat hay well: what to do

A cow does not eat hay well for a number of reasons, including the presence of certain diseases. Hay is a necessary component in the diet of cattle throughout life. It is especially important to consume it in winter. The immune system of the cow, its reproductive function and milk efficiency depend on the quality and quantity of the product. Therefore, if a cow does not eat hay well, it is necessary to find the cause as soon as possible and eliminate it.

How much hay should a cow eat

High-quality hay is an ideal forage in the cold season. It is divided into several types: cereal, legume, mixed and fodder grain with straw. Good hay is obtained from grain crops if it is harvested before the seeds appear. However, this type must be checked for the presence of nitrates. The legume consists of alfalfa, vetch, soybean, horned loaf and Chinese cowpea. This type contains a higher percentage of vitamin A, calcium, protein than a cereal product.

The nutritional value depends on the type of leaves. Grain hay contains more useful substances – it is quickly absorbed by the cow’s body when the plant is young, but more saturated with fiber when it matures. The leaves of legumes have a constant composition, do not depend on the phases of plant development. On average, 1 kg of high-quality hay contains about 70 g of protein, 40-50 mg of vitamin A, as well as B and E vitamins, and minerals. When using good hay, the cow satisfies the need for protein by 40-45%, for trace elements by 50%, and completely in carotene. That is why the farms pay special attention to the preparation of the product for livestock.

The amount of hay required for a cow depends on the breed of the animal, the direction of productivity, and the physiological state. During lactation, hay should not exceed 25% of the total feed, and it is better if it is represented mainly by legumes. In the dry period, the cottage is increased by half. In the meat direction of cattle breeding, a cow eats up to 30 kg of hay daily. Based on the accepted norms for feeding cows, an animal needs 40-50 centners of the product for the winter.

Why does a cow eat hay badly?

Many owners are faced with the fact that the cow does not eat hay. Possible reasons are as follows:

1. Violation of the digestive tract (gas formation, bloating of the proventriculus, a decrease in the contractile activity of the scar). This can be caused by forages that provoke fermentation, uncontrolled grazing, irregular feeding, lack of exercise, poor quality feed, dirty water. Pathology is accompanied by anxiety, fever, lack of chewing gum, an increase in the abdomen on the left side, a change in feces, and a decrease in productivity.

   

2. Mastitis. Often this pathology affects the change in the cow’s taste preferences, including the refusal to eat hay. The disease is complex, it is caused by pathogenic microorganisms that penetrate the cow’s mammary gland. Causes of the disease: poor milk production, poor-quality udder care, complicated calving, damage to the mammary gland. With this disease, the following symptoms are observed: seals in the udder, impurities of pus, blood, flakes in milk, increased body temperature, reduced productivity, depressed state of the cow.
3. Ketosis. The disease occurs when metabolic processes in the animal’s body are disturbed, as a result of which ketone bodies accumulate, and the cow may refuse to eat hay or completely lose her appetite. The causes of the pathology are the oversaturation of the feed with proteins, the lack of exercise, the excess of concentrates, coarse, succulent feed. At the same time, the cow has increased sweating, especially in the morning, excitability of the nervous system, agalactia, gnashing of teeth, muscle tremors, the smell of acetone from the individual, as well as from milk and urine.
4. The entry of foreign bodies into the digestive tract of a cow. The animal behaves restlessly, the body temperature may rise, the pulse quickens, there is no appetite or food preferences change, milk yield decreases, the rumen pulsation stops.
5. Helminthiasis. Parasites are often the reason why a cow refuses to eat grass or loses her appetite completely. The animal exhibits coughing, sweating, weight loss, reduced milk production, alternating diarrhea and constipation.
6. Paresis. The use of hay is affected by complications occurring before and after calving. Paresis appears as a result of a metabolic disorder in the body of a cow. The disease manifests itself in paralysis of the limbs, tongue, larynx, disturbances in the work of the gastrointestinal tract, loss of coordination during movement, and an increase in body temperature.

Other reasons for refusing hay can be poisoning with chemicals, poisonous plants, constant overfeeding, unsanitary conditions for livestock, violations of the regime, poor quality feed.

If a small calf does not eat grass well, congenital diseases (paratyphoid, pneumonia, gastrointestinal dysfunction, hernia) should be excluded. It is possible that the cause is the baby’s cold. In any case, the calf should be taken to a veterinarian to determine the cause.

What to do if a cow does not eat hay

First of all, you need to check the quality of the feed. In the event that a cow has a problem with digestion, it will be necessary to eliminate inflammation, stop fermentation, remove gases with a probe. For other diseases that cause a violation of appetite, you should treat them, and then try to stimulate the feeling of hunger. In addition to these measures, the owner should establish a clear schedule for feeding, milking, exercise, and clean the barn daily.

Conclusion

The cow does not eat hay well only for certain reasons that need to be identified and eliminated as soon as possible. An attentive attitude to the cow and a veterinarian will help to do this. You also need to carefully approach the process of harvesting hay or buying it, since it is the basis of the diet.