Cows are one of the most essential animals on our planet. Not only do they provide us with milk, but their presence also serves to remind us how valuable our resources truly are.
Herbivores, they feed on grasses, leaves and flowers. They often graze on pastures but also enjoy grain and hay.
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Apples
Apples make excellent treats for cows as they contain numerous beneficial nutrients. High in vitamin C, iron, folate and calcium, apples help them to maintain healthy bones and promote milk production.
However, it’s essential to only feed apples in small amounts. They should also be cut or mashed into smaller pieces before giving them to cows so that they can eat them comfortably without risk of choking.
Additionally, cows should only be fed a few apples daily to prevent bloating and acidosis. These conditions can be hazardous for animals, particularly pregnant or lactating females.
Cows may also be provided with a range of fruits and vegetables such as kale, carrots, dandelion leaves, fireweed, melancholy thistle leaves, cabbage or cauliflower leaves, root vegetable tops like turnips – all providing them with essential vitamins and minerals.
Hay
In wintertime, cows require hay as an additional source of nutrition. How much they require depends on their production stage, age and herd size.
Hay is an ideal treat for cows as it contains high amounts of protein and calcium, essential nutrients that keep their bodies healthy. Furthermore, it contains vitamins A, C, and B6, essential in the production of red blood cells as well as immunity.
Selecting high-quality hay for your herd is essential, as different plants have varying nutritional values and some parts are harder for ruminants to digest than others.
Hay should be cut at the correct time of year and harvested when at its optimal maturity level. After cutting, store it dry in a clean and dry area that’s protected from vermin and predators. Avoid stacking it with wire or twine which are easily digestible by cows and could lead to choke issues.
Berries
Berries are an excellent treat for cows as they contain essential vitamins, minerals and disease-fighting nutrients. Berries can be enjoyed fresh, dried or frozen; they’re even great to add natural sweetness to other foods like grazing feeds like corn silage.
Berries can be divided into three groups: hesperidiums, pomes and drupes (stone fruits). Examples of hesperidiums include citrus fruits like cucumbers or bananas; dates or grapes; watermelon is another popular variety.
Pomes include pears, apples and peaches. Drupes include apricots, mangoes, cherries and olives.
Berries are fleshy fruits created from an ovary (flower) of a single plant and contain seeds embedded within. Some berries develop from multiple ovaries of one flower and are known as aggregate fruits; on the other hand, some develop when carpels from different flowers fuse together and are known as multiple fruits.
Salt Licks
Salt licks are an ideal treat for cows, particularly pregnant and lactating ones. Not only do they aid in milk production, but salt licks help keep them healthy as well.
Salt licks are typically composed of rock salt and other minerals found naturally in nature, providing farmers with a way to supplement their cattle’s diet with essential minerals they may not otherwise obtain.
Furthermore, these organic salt licks are an economical and natural cattle nutrient. They provide essential minerals like magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and trace elements that cows require.
Animal lickers should be kept above ground to avoid dirt and placed in areas where animals can lick. This is the most efficient way to ensure your pets get a healthy dose of licking pleasure.
These licks are weather resistant and come in various weights to enable animals to self-dose as needed. Furthermore, they contain sulfur which helps reduce external parasites. You may also add them as a supplement to your regular herd diet for added nutritional benefit.
