Chia seeds have been used for centuries as a natural dietary supplement. Cultivated from the Salvia hispanica plant, chia seeds were valued by the Aztecs for their high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. Chia seeds are still a popular supplement today, for humans and livestock alike. Many ranchers have begun feeding their cattle chia to keep them healthy and allow them to thrive without the use of hormones or antibiotics. Feeding chia seeds to cattle is relatively simple, and a thriving cattle herd is well worth the effort.
Instructions
1. Combine chia seeds with the normal pelleted feed given to your cattle. Mix one 50 pound bag of seeds with three 50 pound bags of your normal feed so that the chia seeds make up approximately one quarter of their daily feed. Chia seeds are high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, making them a valuable addition to your normal feeding routine.
2. Provide your cattle with plenty of good quality hay for roughage. Cattle enjoy munching throughout the day and will keep occupied for hours foraging through a pile of hay. Toss handfuls of chia seeds over flakes of hay to give your cattle an extra treat as they graze.
3. Fill a clean 100-gallon stock tank with water and sprinkle a layer of chia seeds through the tank. The seeds can hold up to 14 times their own weight in water, and when ingested by your cattle provide a long-lasting source of moisture.
4. Feed sick or injured cattle extra chia seeds to speed recovery. Chia seeds are well known for their healing properties and can be given to cattle instead of artificial antibiotics. Chia seeds leave no harmful residue in the muscles of your cattle, making them an excellent substitute for commercial medications in market animals.
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