Does the animal accept the silage and treated dry fodder? If yes, do you think it was consuming it happily or just finishing it because it was hungry? If the animal is not accepting the feed, ask the farmer/animal owner for the probable reason.
Animals typically accept well-prepared silage and treated dry fodder.
Good quality silage has golden brown colour, pleasant fruity aroma, free-flowing texture, and mildly acidic taste - these characteristics make it palatable. Treated dry fodder with jaggery and salt is more appealing due to improved taste and smell.
Signs of happy consumption include eagerness to eat, chewing contentedly, and returning for more.
If animals refuse feed, possible reasons include: mould or bad smell in silage (indicating spoilage), unfamiliar taste, sudden change in diet, illness, or stress. Always ask the farmer/animal owner to confirm feed quality before offering.
Explanation
The chapter instructs to check silage quality before feeding: open the bag and check for mould and bad smell. Ask the farmer/animal owner to confirm the assessment. Place a handful in front of the animal and observe if it appears to like it and is ready to eat. Warning: mouldy (white or black) or bad-smelling silage should be discarded as it causes food poisoning, serious illness, or death.
Solution Steps
Animals typically accept well-prepared silage and treated dry fodder
Good quality silage characteristics: golden brown colour, pleasant fruity aroma, free-flowing texture, mildly acidic taste
Treated dry fodder with jaggery and salt is more appealing due to improved taste and smell
Signs of happy consumption: eagerness to eat, chewing contentedly, returning for more
Reasons for feed refusal: mould, bad smell, unfamiliar taste, sudden diet change, illness, or stress
Always confirm feed quality with farmer/animal owner before offering