Whether cows consume feces, a behavior known as coprophagy, has a complex answer. Generally, adult cows do not routinely seek out and eat manure as a standard part of their diet. When intentional consumption occurs, it is considered abnormal, often pointing to a deficiency or underlying stressor. Coprophagy in cattle mostly falls into two distinct categories: accidental ingestion or behavior indicative of a problem.
Intentional vs. Incidental Ingestion
The majority of feces ingestion in grazing cattle is incidental, meaning it is a byproduct of natural feeding behavior, not a deliberate act. Cows are non-selective bulk grazers that use their tongues to wrap around forage and pull it into their mouths, often cutting the grass very close to the soil surface. In densely populated pastures, this grazing style significantly increases the chance of ingesting small amounts of manure mixed with grass and soil. This accidental intake is a consequence of grazing near where manure patties lie.
Incidental ingestion differs sharply from purposeful, intentional consumption, which is rare in healthy adult cattle. True intentional coprophagy or consumption of non-food items is more accurately categorized as pica, a deficiency-driven behavior. The mechanical act of grazing makes it difficult for a cow to avoid all contaminants on the pasture floor. Small, unavoidable amounts of manure and soil entering the digestive tract are considered a normal part of the grazing process.
Coprophagy in Calves and Nutritional Deficiency
The most common instances of intentional feces consumption occur in two specific groups: young calves and nutritionally deficient adult cows. Young calves frequently exhibit exploratory behavior, investigating their environment by mouthing and licking various objects, including manure. This early-life ingestion helps establish a healthy and diverse microbial population within their developing rumen, the first and largest compartment of the stomach.
Intentional coprophagy in adult cattle is typically a symptom of pica, reflecting a severe nutritional imbalance. This craving for non-food items can be triggered by a lack of specific minerals, most commonly phosphorus and sodium, which are vital for metabolic functions. A deficiency in phosphorus, often low in mature or heavily grazed forage, can lead a cow to seek out and consume substances like soil, stones, or manure to compensate. This abnormal feeding is an attempt to self-medicate, driven by a physiological need for the missing nutrients.
Health and Management Implications
The ingestion of feces, whether incidental or intentional, carries health risks for cattle. Manure is a primary route for the transmission of internal parasites, such as gastrointestinal worms, whose eggs survive in the environment and are ingested during grazing. Pathogenic bacteria, including strains of Escherichia coli and Salmonella, are also shed in the feces and pose a health threat upon consumption. These pathogens can cause severe gastrointestinal disease, impacting the cow’s health and productivity.
Effective management practices are necessary to mitigate the risks associated with this behavior. Providing a properly balanced diet with adequate mineral and vitamin supplementation is the most effective way to prevent pica-related coprophagy in adult cattle. Farmers use techniques like pasture rotation to allow for the natural degradation and dispersal of manure, reducing the density of contaminants in the grazing area. Good hygiene around feed and water sources, along with regular parasite control programs, minimizes the risk of disease transmission through incidental ingestion.