How to Increase Beef Cattle Feed Intake? A Detailed Guide to Practical Methods
The feed intake of beef cattle is closely related to their production performance. Only when the feed intake of beef cattle increases can the ideal weight gain effect be achieved. However, many farmers experience very low feed intake in beef cattle during breeding, resulting in slow growth and low economic returns. So is there a way to increase the feed intake of beef cattle? Let's take a look at Qinnong Web's methods for increasing beef cattle feed intake.
1. Cooling
Due to ventilation, temperature and the cattle's own heat dissipation, the temperature inside the cattle shed is higher than outside. Generally, when the temperature in the cattle shed exceeds 32°C, it will affect the normal feeding and resting of beef cattle, so cooling is extremely important. There are many ways to cool the cattle shed, such as strengthening ventilation, increasing air convection and lowering the shed temperature; reducing stocking density, building shade nets over the cattle shed, or building cooling shelters around it, and installing fans in the cattle shed, all of which can cool it down. In addition to the high temperature of the shed affecting beef cattle's feed intake, the high temperature of the cattle themselves does the same. If a beef cow's body temperature is too high and heat dissipation is poor, it will at best lose appetite, and at worst suffer heatstroke and die. So when cooling, also pay attention to the cattle themselves. They can be cooled by spraying mist or water. In addition, choose cooler drinking water, and do not leave drinking water exposed to the sun. Adding an appropriate amount of appetite stimulant to the drinking water can promote appetite and also help regulate body temperature.
2. Feed
When feeding, provide suitable, palatable feed, and also pay attention to feed quality. When feed and forage sources are sufficient, strengthen harvesting and storage. During storage, strengthen management to prevent feed and forage from deteriorating and becoming moldy. To improve feed palatability and nutritional value, feed should be reasonably prepared, such as by crushing and ammoniation, so as to increase beef cattle feed intake. The main feed should be balanced in nutrition, and at different growth stages, provide the nutrients needed for growth.
3. Reasonable Feeding
In addition to ensuring feed quality, reasonable feeding is also indispensable if you want to increase beef cattle feed intake. Beef cattle have the strongest appetite and the largest feed intake in the morning and evening. Therefore, focus on these two time periods when feeding. When feeding, feed small amounts frequently, and do not add too much at once. First, it wastes feed; second, it easily causes cattle to overeat, leading to indigestion in the gastrointestinal system. When feeding, feed roughage first and then concentrate, so as to keep beef cattle's appetite strong. Also, when feeding, be sure to pay attention to feed quality, and strictly prohibit feeding deteriorated or moldy feed.
4. Strengthen Management
Strengthen daily management during raising. On the premise of ensuring that beef cattle do not lose body weight due to excessive exercise, allow them appropriate exercise to speed up gastrointestinal peristalsis, promote digestion and absorption, and fatten quickly. Also pay attention to the hygiene of the cattle and the cattle shed. Wipe down the cattle's bodies every day to maintain hygiene, strengthen their physique, and prevent parasites and bacteria from breeding on the cattle. Do a good job in disease prevention and control, and regularly deworm and promote stomach health. Be sure to pay attention to the hygiene of the cattle shed, clean up manure and waste promptly every day, and do a good job in mosquito control. Mosquito bites will make beef cattle restless and affect appetite, and can also easily transmit diseases.
The above are Qinnong Web's methods for increasing beef cattle feed intake. After reading this, I believe everyone also knows how to increase beef cattle feed intake. To learn more, please stay tuned to Qinnong Web.