Indigesible foreign bodies in feedfor livestock and preventive measures in farm conditions

Abstract

In the modern conditions of dairy farming, the presence of indigestible foreign bodies in the stomachs of cattle is common, which is due to many factors. In 15 cows of the farm (6 % of the total number of animals in the herd), culled due to the pathology of the digestive organs, damage to the mesh and adjacent organs was diagnosed. The largest number of indigestible foreign bodies was metal objects, which were found in 8 cows; nylon ropes, kapron nets, polyethylene bags – for 4 cows; rags and leather items – from 2 cows; gravel and pieces of concrete were found in one animal. Consumption of indigestible foreign bodies is a common occurrence in farmed cattle, which can be a significant cause of loss of productivity, premature culling, and even animal death. Proper handling of indigestible foreign objects, plastic waste on the farm should be an integral part of preventive measures for animal disease, reduction of culling and improvement of animal welfare. Comprehensive dispensation must be carried out in the following areas: determination of herd syndromes, clinical studies of animals, laboratory studies of blood, milk, urine, analysis of feeding and keeping of animals. One of the main preventive measures is the regular probing of cows for metal-carrying objects with magnetic probes, the introduction of metal object catchers. Among the workers serving the livestock industry, carry out explanatory work on the danger of spreading various indigestible objects on the territory of fodder lands and livestock farms.