Cattle and Sheep 100 Questions Ⅴ

How to Prevent Urinary Stones in Fattening Sheep?

The prevention of urinary stones should start from the causes of urinary stones.

The causes of  are as follows:

High grain feeding will increase mucin in urine. At the same time, phosphorus intake is increased due to high grain dietary intake. High levels of mucin and high levels of phosphorus cause the pH of the urine to become alkaline, resulting in the formation of phosphate stones, which are soft and sticky.



Not drinking enough water causes urine to become concentrated, which can lead to stone formation. Excessive mineral intake causes increased urine concentration, especially phosphate. So be sure to drink more water. Dilute the concentration of urine and increase the amount of urine so that small stones can be passed out. In addition, VA deficiency and growth stimulants (such as estrogen) will also increase watery abdomen and affect urination.

Prevention method

2. Salt can be added by 1-2%, and ammonium chloride can be added by 0.5%. However, if the amount of salt is sufficient, drinking water cannot be guaranteed, which will lead to a decrease in feed intake.

3. Keep drinking enough water. If drinking water cannot be guaranteed in winter, you can feed warm water 3-4 times a day, which can not only keep warm, but also promote urination and reduce the chance of stones.

4.Strengthening exercise can promote stone expulsion.

5. Every time you add concentrate, add it slowly and multiple times, which can also prevent the occurrence of stones.

In short, stones are caused by many reasons, and every prevention and control measure must be taken to achieve effective prevention.There are many factors causing urinary stones. Generally, urinary stones during the fattening period are related to the amount and transition of concentrated feed with high starch content. When ammonium chloride is added to the diet at a ratio of more than 0.5%, the feed intake of fattening sheep is significantly reduced.