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What happens if a cow eats moldy hay?
Cattle aren’t as sensitive to moldy hay, but certain molds can result in mycotic abortions or aspergillosis. Moldy hay also puts ranchers at risk. Mold spores can cause “farmer’s lung,” which results in the fungus growing in the lung tissue if it has been inhaled.
How do you treat moldy hay?
Feed hay outside to minimize dust problems. In severe cases, hay may be replaced by hay cubes. Soak dusty hay for 5 to 30 minutes before feeding so that the horse can eat it while it’s wet. Store hay away from your horse as much as possible and ensure any hay in the vicinity is kept dry to reduce mold.
Can you get sick from moldy hay?
Farmer’s Lung is an allergic disease usually caused by breathing in the dust from moldy hay. However, dust from any moldy crop – straw, corn, silage, grain, or even tobacco – can also cause Farmer’s Lung.
Is moldy hay OK for cows?
Feeding moldy hay to livestock is a tough decision. Although all hay contains some mold, when mold becomes noticeable the decisions become important. Usually, mold makes hay less palatable, which can result in lower intake or in animals refusing to eat the hay.
What are symptoms of mold exposure?
If they come into contact with mold, they may experience symptoms, such as:
- a runny or blocked nose.
- watery, red eyes.
- a dry cough.
- skin rashes.
- a sore throat.
- sinusitis.
- wheezing.
Is white mold on hay bad for cows?
Feeding moldy hay to livestock is a frustration. Horses seem to be most sensitive to mold. Mold spores exacerbate respiratory conditions such as heaves and digestive problems like colic. Cattle can generally tolerate and eat a mold on hay without problems.
Can you soak moldy hay?
To eliminate mold commonly found in hay bales, West Chester, Pa., equine veterinarian Frank Reilly suggests “flash soaking” — tearing pieces of hay off of the bale, putting them in a hay net and then under a heavy rock in a bucket of water for 10 minutes.
How much mold is too much in hay?
Table 1. Feeding risks at various mold spore counts
| Mold spore count per gram | Feeding risk and cautions |
|---|---|
| Under 500,000 | Relatively low risk |
| ½ to 1 million | Relatively safe |
| 1 to 2 million | Feed with caution |
| 2 to 3 million | Closely observe animals and performance |
Is moldy hay OK for cattle?
Cattle have no problems feeding on moldy hay, but the digestive system of a horse is much more sensitive. The dangers of moldy hay can be reduced by careful checking and buying from a reliable supplier. Hay on your premises must be kept dry at all times to prevent the formation of mold.
What makes Hay Dusty?
Dusty hay can be dusty on the outside of the bale because of external dust, arena, loft above dusty stalls, etc. But dust inside of the bale most certainly is from mold spores. Usually the moisture content of the hay was still too high when the hay was baled. This is a common problem in areas with high humidity,…
What happens if you eat mold?
The food containing mold has an adverse taste and texture. Certain people own a respiratory allergy to molds, and eating the food consisting of molds may create an allergic reaction. Certain kinds of mold may cause food poisoning, and this can make you sick. Besides, it can outcome in fever, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea.
Does Hay go bad?
Actually, yes hay can go bad if it’s not stored properly or it sits too long. Hay shouldn’t be kept in a bag it should be in a bin of some type. If it’s a plastic bin you need to keep the lid off and preferably drill holes in the side to help with air circulation.