Pica in calves is caused by deficiency of which mineral?

• A. Phosphorus
• B. Selenium
• C. Magnesium
• D. Potassium

Answer: (A)

Pica in calves signals a phosphorus deficiency. Phosphorus is essential for bone formation, energy transfer (ATP), and many metabolic processes. When calves don’t get enough phosphorus, their appetite and feeding behavior can become abnormal, leading them to chew non-food items like wood or dirt. Among the minerals listed, phosphorus deficiency best explains this behavior, while other deficiencies produce different signs: selenium deficiency tends to cause white muscle disease, magnesium deficiency leads to grass tetany, and potassium deficiency causes weakness or heart-related issues rather than pica. To address it, evaluate and adjust the diet to ensure adequate phosphorus and a proper calcium-to-phosphorus balance, using sources like dicalcium phosphate if needed.