How to prevent pica in sheep? Sheep farmers need to master these methods

1. According to the nutritional needs of sheep at different growth and production stages, supply the necessary amounts of energy, protein, minerals (calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, sulfur), trace elements (zinc, copper, iron, cobalt, etc.) and vitamins (A, D, E), and feed a compound diet to ensure comprehensive, scientific and rational nutrients. Ensure that sheep can drink enough water. For high-yielding sheep and pregnant ewes, attention should be paid to the provision of calcium feed.

2. Feeding should be at fixed times, in fixed amounts, and by a fixed keeper, and do not feed frozen or moldy feed. In winter and spring, while feeding silage and good-quality green hay, you can also add some feeds rich in vitamins, such as grain sprouts and malt sprouts.

3. Reasonably arrange the density of the flock and do a good job of environmental sanitation. In order to create sufficient living space, keep the sheep shed and exercise yard dry and clean.

4. Let the sheep exercise properly and get more sunlight to strengthen their physique, and pay attention to preventing the occurrence of gastroenteritis, which is conducive to the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. This is also an important measure to prevent this disease.

5. Prevent sheep from suffering from parasitic diseases and prevent pica induced by parasites. For flocks with a history of parasitic diseases, carry out regular deworming.

6. Promptly remove miscellaneous items such as plastic, rope ends, wood pieces and iron nails from the sheep shed, exercise yard and grazing land, so as to prevent sheep from eating them by mistake and then forming the habit.

7. For lambs, the nutritional needs of pregnant ewes should be met to ensure normal fetal growth and development. After lambs are born, they should be allowed to suckle sufficient colostrum as early as possible, combining improving the quality of ewe milk with strengthening lamb feeding management. On the one hand, strengthen the feeding of lactating ewes; on the other hand, train suckling lambs to eat earlier to make up for insufficient suckling, and appropriately increase bone meal, trace elements, etc. in the concentrate supplement fed to lambs. At the same time, lambs should also be properly grazed and exposed to sunlight frequently.