Cows, like humans, love to munch on food. But they can be finicky, so some farmers have begun feeding their animals a bizarre diet. Skittles were once shipped by truck to a Wisconsin cattle farm, and many farmers are now relying on baked goods and rejected candies as their cow’s diet. Some farmers believe the weird diet works because cows will go bonkers over a bucket of fruit.
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Cereal
Whether you’re looking for a healthy, tasty snack for your cows or you’re looking for an alternative source of protein, you’ll find what you need in cereal. Cereal is the most commonly known source of protein for cows, and it’s grown across North America for human consumption, livestock feed, and industrial purposes. If you’re looking for a healthier option, consider experimenting with Skittles.
Hay
If you are trying to figure out how much hay your cows should be eating each day, you are not alone. While many dairy farmers prefer to feed their cows fresh grass, there are several alternatives. For example, hay is made from plant fiber, which improves the taste of meat and milk. Then again, some people don’t like the taste of hay and choose to avoid it altogether. Regardless, there are plenty of reasons to switch over to hay for your cows.
Cactus
Cows should eat cactus in their diets. It is a great source of green food, and contains more protein than dried grass. This cactus-based diet can help supplement pastures in times of grass shortage. Not only does it provide a good source of protein, it also helps reduce grazing pressure on pastures. Here are several reasons to feed your cattle cactus:
Pumpkins
Pumpkins are delicious treats for cows. Unlike apples, pumpkins can be opened by cows without human assistance. These fruits are high in vitamin A, which promotes eye health and skin health. In addition, pumpkins contain vitamins C and E, which strengthen the immune system and aid in reproduction. In fact, a recent study showed that cows enjoyed eating pumpkins. But are cows really getting all the benefits of pumpkins?
Beef
Although humans have become obsessed with the notion that cows should eat beef, this is not entirely true. While cows do eat meat from time to time, the truth is that they should avoid it. Cows have been known to eat meat under various scenarios, such as after birth. While the afterbirth is not considered a legitimate source of meat, it does count as meat. In addition, some commercial cattle feed mixes meat ingredients with plant components.
By-product feeds
By-products are an increasingly popular source of animal nutrition. These by-products are found in practically every food production process. They are an excellent source of calcium, phosphorus, and amino acids deficient in grain protein. These by-products are also generally good sources of riboflavin and vitamin B12.
Strawberries
Despite the high sugar content, strawberries are safe for cows to eat. This fruit is also rich in Vitamin C, manganese, and traces of Vitamin B9 and potassium. It contains antioxidants, which strengthen the immune system of cows. Grapefruits, which have small amounts of calcium, phosphorous, and proteins, are also safe for cows to eat. Using a strawberry-based diet is a good alternative to feed grains or corn-based feeds.