Pets and bees should receive with nutrition all necessary for the normal growth and development of micro and macro elements. Their lack leads to metabolic disturbance, decreased productivity. Cobalt chloride is one of the important and very significant trace elements. Its shortage leads to serious problems with the health of animals and bees and, as a result, to the bankruptcy of farms.
What is cobalt chloride?
This term usually means cobalt salt of hydrochloric acid (CoCl₂). It is considered a cobalt halogen class.
Cobalt is a trace element that is part of cabalamines (vitamin B₁₂). Cobalt and its compounds are vital to the body. Cobalt chloride has the following pharmacological properties:
- Participates in the process of creation, formation and maturation of blood cells.
- It is associated with the formation of deoxyribonucleic and ribonucleic acids from nucleotides.
- Promotes muscle building.
- Supports cellular respiration.
- Promotes the absorption of retinol, tocopherol, ascorbic acid.
- Regulates various metabolic processes: mineral, protein, carbohydrate.
- Enhances iron ionization.
Cobalt chloride according to GOST 12.1.007-76 belongs to the 4th hazard class - low hazard. This means that the drug is of biological origin. Complete decomposition of harmful substances into simple components occurs within a week.
The composition of the drug and the form of release
The composition of the veterinary preparation includes cobalt chloride - 0.04 g, sodium hydrochloric acid - 0.92-0.95 g, talc - not more than 1 g. The drug is available in the form of tablets for oral use. The tablets come in a light pink or purple hue and a flat-cylindrical shape. They are packed in plastic bags in an amount of 10 to 5 thousand pieces. Each package contains instructions for use.
Store the drug at t from 0 to 30 ° Celsius. 12/26/91, by resolution of the USSR State Standard, restrictions on storage periods were lifted.
Indications for use of a veterinary drug
Cobalt chloride is prescribed to cattle, artiodactyls (sheep, goats), pigs for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. The drug is also used in beekeeping. The main indications:
- Violation of the processes of cellular nutrition in animals due to complete or relative cobalt deficiency.
- Disorders of metabolic processes, accompanied by a decrease in activity, a slowdown in the growth and development of young animals, damage to the coat.
- Pathologies characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin, hematocrit and red blood cell counts. In animals with anemia, decreased performance and productivity are noted.
- Eating disorders or complete loss of appetite.
- Progressive exhaustion.
The drug is also used to increase the enzymatic activity of the digestive system.
How does the drug affect bees?
In the middle of the 20th century, an epidemic of cattle broke out. Mass death was associated with a deficiency of cobalt in the body. Scientists have begun various studies of the effects of metal and its compounds on animals and bees. During the analysis, the following was revealed:
- Metal enhances the metabolic processes in the body of insects.
- The use of cobalt chloride in beekeeping contributes to an increase in brood, medical productivity, and a decrease in the overall incidence of insects.
- The substance enhances the therapeutic effect of antibiotics.
- The microelement contributes to the activation of protective mechanisms in the body of bees. In the course of observations, it was revealed that in areas with cobalt deficiency, insects were infected with American and European foulbrood and other diseases of bacterial etiology.
- When using CoCl₂ in autumn and spring, bees do not experience an imbalance in mineral nutrition.
Studies have shown that if you put various top dressings near hives, adult individuals feed the brood only with cobalt-containing ones.
Instructions for use: cooking methods
Most beekeepers are aware of the benefits of using cobalt chloride and use it regularly for preventive purposes. Together with the tablets in the package is a document containing recommendations for the use of a medicinal substance.
According to the instructions, cobalt chloride - in liquid stimulating feeding. The drug is diluted at the rate of 10 grams of substance per 20 liters of syrup or honey full. At lower concentrations, top dressing will be simply useless. An increase in the amount of the substance can lead to an overdose. If the drug is given for the first time, then one tablet, diluted in 2 liters of sweet syrup, will be enough.
Tablets should be dissolved in freshly prepared syrup with a temperature of 38-40 ° C. The warm solution is distributed through the upper superframe feeders.
How to feed bees with cobalt chloride?
Honey insects are very sensitive to various medicines. Failure to comply with the dose and rules of use can lead to negative results. Therefore, it is important to know how to properly water the bees with cobalt chloride.
When working with medication, standard hygiene and safety rules must be observed. The drug is administered several times a year - in spring and autumn.
- In early spring, after a cleansing flight of insects, syrup is distributed 200-300 ml per 1 family. The duration of feeding is from 10 to 14 days. Assist families are given the same amount throughout the active season.
- In the spring, bees are fed 2-3 times every 2-3 weeks. The amount of syrup is 300-500 mg per family.
- After pumping out honey, they distribute 1.5-2 liters per family. The exact dosage is determined based on the strength of the bee family.
Skipping the next dose is extremely undesirable, this can lead to a decrease in the drug effect. If necessary, other drugs are added to cobalt. The substance interacts well with other medicines. Distribution of the drug is alternated with pure syrup or honey well fed.
special instructions
Cobalt chloride is a low-hazard drug and has no contraindications in recommended doses. Honey collected by the bees treated with the medicine is consumed on a common basis.
People with individual intolerance to the components of the product should avoid direct contact with the drug. In case of contact with skin or eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of running water. In case of accidental ingestion of cobalt in the human body or the appearance of an allergy, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
The drug is stored in a dry place, inaccessible to small children.
Negative consequences
Cobalt chloride is absorbed quickly and well by bees. To accelerate and increase effectiveness, some beekeepers use the drug in very high doses. High concentrations lead to poor insect health and a decrease in offspring. The uterus is the most sensitive individual. It drastically reduces the laying of eggs after 4-5 such top dressing. If you continue to give the drug in high doses, this will lead to the termination of egg laying and the death of young larvae. If in doubt, it is better to reduce the number of fertilizers while observing the recommended dosage.
Cobalt chloride is an effective tool for the prevention and treatment of diseases of bees. The reviews confirm that its use contributes to the healing of insects, increases their honey productivity, which contributes to the economic prosperity of farms.