cornfarmer48
Member
what causes cattle to chew on wod. mine chew on the side of garage and split rail fence.
cows eating wood
- Thread starter cornfarmer48
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warpaint
Well-known member
We used to call that cribbing. Horses and cattle will do that when kept in a small space and bored. Don't know what your situation is.
Crowderfarms
Well-known member
I've seen Horses crib, but never a Cow...
cypressfarms
Well-known member
Be careful, if the wood they are chewing on is treated wood, walnut, or several other "toxic" varities, you could have a dead cow quick.
Do you know what type of wood it is that they are chewing? That may give some insight as to why they are doing it.
Do you know what type of wood it is that they are chewing? That may give some insight as to why they are doing it.
cornfarmer48
Member
the garage is cedar. split rail could be too
warpaint
Well-known member
cornfarmer48":gl9qb3nb said:
As it would be rude of me to ask, how many and what size lot their in, I won't.
As Cypress said treated lumber and several other types could be harmful. Not sure about cedar, but can say, we have used cedar posts for many, many years, with no ill effects that I know of.
Curious to know what is causeing this. Keep us updated.
milkmaid":1yih6ko8 said:
I was wondering the same thing. According to this article, wood chewing is caused by a lack of phosphorous and/or salt.
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/liv ... 91-066.htm
I agree - what mineral and/or salt? But I assure you they can do it out of boredom/habit just like horses. And kids for that matter.
Oh and cribbing is different than wood chewing.
Oh and cribbing is different than wood chewing.
cornfarmer48
Member
have 8 cows and calves on 6 acres of pasture. plenty of grass. cattle have tm blocks available all the time.
Bama
Well-known member
Not saying you can't run 8 cows and their calves on 6 acre's, but its a stretch to do it. Most I can get for any length of time is a cow and calf per acre. Pastures have to be free of weeds and grass has to be in good shape to sustain them for any amout of time. If things are getting dry up you way it will make it even harder to run that many on 6 acres. I'm with the others you may want to try loose minerals as the tm blocks are just that trace amounts.
A
Anonymous
Bama":1plmc689 said:
that's what I was thinking
cornfarmer48":145ugebs said:
Trace mineral blocks are just that - trace. Talk to your feed store, extension office, veterinarian, neighbors, etc., and find a good loose mineral properly formulated for your operation and area, and the problem will probably stop. Might also want to talk to the same people about stocking rates for your area as you have allowed less than 1 acre/animal. Could very well be possible, but I have a few doubts.
maggie_roper10
New member
they usually bite on wood if they aren't getting the amount of fiber that they need. That might not be it but i have been studying horses and cattle alot lately and that would be my guess.
jersey lilly
Well-known member
It's mineral deficiencey. Put out a good loose mineral and they should stop chewin wood.
