Animals such as horses, cows, goats, buffaloes, deer, etc., are habitual of licking salt. Salt lick blocks are exclusively designed blocks for animals with the core purpose of providing them with essential dietary supplements. They are made of pure Himalayan pink salt, a distinctive type of salt that contains 84 plus trace elements and essential mineral contents, including copper, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, etc. Thus, the salt blocks for licking are an extraordinary bundle of minerals and vitamins proven to provide tremendous benefits to livestock.
Let’s dig deep into a brief history and ten excellent benefits of salt lick blocks for livestock.
History of Salt Lick Blocks
During the battle of The Great Alexander, a few injured soldiers and their wounded horses took refuge in the Himalayan foothills. The horses started licking the walls of the caves, which aroused suspicion. When the soldiers checked the caves' texture, they discovered they were salt caves. The only difference was the pink color and the healing powers of the salt, as the soldiers observed that their wounded horses healed quickly. This incident became famous, and people started extracting salt chunks to put in their farms and pastures.
Presently, at the Himalayan foothills, there are internationally acclaimed salt mines called Khewra salt mines. A vast variety of pink salt products are made there, including salt lick blocks for animals.
Incredible Benefits of Salt Lick Blocks for Livestock
1. Provide Essential Minerals:
One of the most incredible benefits of salt licking blocks is that they provide essential minerals to livestock. The Himalayan salt blocks contain a vast amount of essential minerals and trace elements that are proven to be highly beneficial for livestock reproduction, health, and growth. For example, the blocks contain iron, which boosts metabolism; zinc, which improves immunity; copper, which is ideal for the healthy production of red blood cells; calcium, which enhances the functioning of the central nervous system and encourages strong bone development; etc.
2. Improve Digestion:
Salt lick blocks play an important role in improving livestock digestion, leading to better performance and overall growth. A chain of processes starts from consuming the right amount of sodium to enhance digestion. The blocks contain an optimum amount of sodium, which helps balance pH levels in the rumen, the first compartment of the stomach. The balanced pH levels in the stomach create an ideal environment for the microorganisms to grow. Those microorganisms break down food particles, primarily plant material, and convert them into nutritional dietary fibers. The nutritional fibers improve digestion and overall health. The blocks also contain cobalt, which enhances the production of vitamin B12, leading to improved metabolism.
3. Increase Feed Efficiency:
Salt licking blocks increase feed efficiency by providing livestock with essential minerals and trace elements. Studies have proved that animals, especially livestock, tend to lick salt to fulfill their supplementary needs. Likewise, the regular diet doesn’t contain the optimum amount of minerals, leading to health hazards and unusual behaviors in livestock. On the other hand, if the animals start licking salt along with their regular diets, they can get a complete package of a healthy diet.
4. Improve Milk Production:
Himalayan salt blocks improve milk production in dairy animals by providing the optimum amount of sodium and chloride. Both elements play a vital role in improving milk production by maintaining proper electrolyte balance in the body. Moreover, salt blocks also contain trace elements like zinc and copper, which are great for udder health and improve the quality and quantity of milk production.
5. Prevent Dehydration:
Salt lick blocks are excellent at preventing dehydration in livestock by naturally increasing thirst levels. After licking salt, the animals feel the urge to drink more water. They drink more water and stay hydrated, which benefits them, especially during hot temperatures and in arid regions. Proper hydration improves bodily functions such as nutrient absorption, digestion, waste elimination, and temperature regulation. Adequate water intake also cushions joints and improves overall performance.
6. Improve Reproductive Health:
Himalayan Salt blocks improve the reproductive health of livestock by providing trace elements like selenium, zinc, copper, and cobalt. Selenium enhances the fertility rate in livestock and prevents the chances of miscarriages. Zinc improves hormonal functions and boosts sperm quality and egg development in males and females. These trace elements also play an essential role in maintaining optimal reproductive functions in livestock.
7. Prevent Unusual Behaviors:
Like humans, livestock also exhibit weird and unusual behaviors due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. The most common unusual behaviors include drinking urine, eating mud, ropes, and wood, hitting their heads, etc. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies also affect livestock's food consumption, leading to adverse health and poor performance. Salt blocks are proven to be an excellent product for providing animals with vitamins and essential minerals that prevent these unusual behaviors.
8. Prevent Grass Tetany:
Grass tetany is a severe magnesium deficiency that often leads to death in livestock, especially cows. It can also occur due to the deficiency of sodium and calcium. Salt lick blocks contain magnesium, calcium, and sodium, all of which prevent grass tetany in livestock. For this reason, farmers prefer putting salt blocks on farms closer to cows.
9. Improve Immune System:
Salt licking blocks contain minerals that improve livestock's immune systems. They contain zinc, which is essential for the development and function of immune cells. Selenium acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from damage and supporting overall immune function. By providing these immune-boosting minerals, salt licking blocks help livestock maintain a strong defense against various diseases and infections. This can lead to reduced veterinary costs and improved overall herd health.
10. Cost-effective Supplementation:
Research and reviews have proved that salt blocks are the most cost-effective and excellent way of supplementing livestock. They provide a complete package of health benefits for very little money and effort. Other forms of mineral supplementation are expensive and require a lot of effort, like mixing in feed and regular administration.
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