Dairy cows such as Friesian, Jersey, and Ayrshire are known for their milk production prowess because they produce not only large quantities of milk but also milk of high quality. To accomplish this, the cattle owner must feed them on a daily basis with the proper nutrients and supplements. In this blog post, we’ll talk about feeding, the important feeding nutrients, and the big question: how many times do you feed a dairy cow?
In Kenya, most dairy cows eat twice daily. How much a dairy cow eats per day entirely depends on lactation, calving, and production. During calving, the cow will consume an average of 15 kg of food per day. Lactating and high-production cows are fed an average of 25 kg of feed per day. Nevertheless, what do dairy cows eat in a day?
Different Types of Feed for Dairy Cows
Animal feed is food provided to domestic animals, particularly livestock. Animal feed is an important input in animal agriculture and is frequently the most expensive aspect of raising or keeping animals. There are various types of feed that a dairy cow eats in a day in Kenya.
1. Hay
Hay is made by drying grasses or legumes as they near the peak of plant growth and before the seed develops. This stage has been shown to produce the highest digestible protein and carbohydrate yields per unit of land area. Legume hays, such as alfalfa and clovers, are high in protein.
The main importance of hay is that it’s a source of nutrients for dairy animals. It is extremely tasty and digestible. Fodder contains microorganisms that aid in the digestion of crop residues in a mixed feeding system. It also aids in the maintenance of good health and the improvement of animal breeding efficiency.
2. Silage
Silage is created by placing immature plants in an airtight container and allowing fermentation to produce acetic and lactic acids, which keep the feed moist. Storage can be formed in upright tower silos or trenches in the ground.
Lower moisture levels can make it difficult to obtain enough packing to exclude air, leading to spoilage. In contrast, high moisture content results in nutrient losses through seepage and the production of excessively acidic, unpalatable silage.
The nutritional value of silage is determined by the type of forage ensiled and how well it was cured. Silage is made from corn, sorghum, grasses, and sometimes leguminous forages.
3. Pasture
Pasture generally consists of edible grasses and legumes, both native and cultivated. They are the single most important source of feed for dairy cows. During the growing season, they provide most of the feed for these animals compared to manufactured feeds.
Grazing animals can be fed hundreds of different grasses, legumes, bushes, and trees. The nutritional value of pasture varies as it is of different varieties and nutritional values.
Proper Feeding Formula and a Balanced Feed Ration
Having a proper dairy cow feeding plan is a superb way to increase milk production in dairy cows in Kenya. Dairy rations are typically designed to maximize milk production while meeting animal health requirements. Dairy rations should be balanced with fiber, carbohydrates, and protein so as to maximize output.
Your dairy cows’ feed should contain the following major nutrients and supplements foe increased milk production:
1. Proteins
Protein is essential during lactation because the amount of body protein that can be mobilized is less than that of body fat. As a result, a dietary protein content of 17–19% is recommended during milk production.
2. Water
Most farmers have the question of how much water does a dairy cow drink per day. The main reason why water should be plentiful is that it has been proven that water accounts for up to 80% of milk. A cow should be given 5 litres of water 10–15 times daily.
A perfect combination of these ingredients will create an ideal dairy meal, allowing your cow to produce a large amount of milk. Observing your dairy cow’s feeding habits will also provide a clear picture of how much dairy meal per day your cow will require.
3. Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are carbon, hydrogen, and #oxygen-containing feed components that provide energy. They should account for approximately 75% of an animal’s diet. They provide energy, which powers muscular movements. Carbohydrates also generate body heat, which aids in keeping the animal warm.
A perfect combination of these ingredients will create an ideal dairy meal, allowing your cow to produce a large amount of milk. Observing your dairy cow’s feeding habits will also provide a clear picture of how much dairy meal per day your cow will require.
Having a dairy meal and a proper cow feeding chart will enable you to understand more about your cow. It will enable you to know how much a dairy cow eats per day in kg, the amount of dairy meal per cow to be administered, and also learn more about your cow’s feeding habits.
How is a Fermented Dairy Meal Made?
A simple way to ferment your dairy meal is by first adding 160–200 kg of water to the fermentation tank, then adding diluted baker’s yeast (0.5–1 kg of yeast plus 5 litres of warm water), followed by 100 kg of the dairy meal while stirring every 30 minutes for 6–9 hours.
This is the most basic direct dairy meal fermentation method.
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