View source for Cow dung



==Overview==
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[[Image:CowPie-JeffVanuga.JPG|thumb|left|250px|Fresh cow dung]]
[[Image:Drying cow dung.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Cow dung being dried for fuel in India.]]

'''Cow dung''' is a term used for the [[feces]] of the [[Bovinae|bovine]] species. The species includes the [[cow]], [[American Bison|buffalo]], [[ox]] and [[bullock]]. Cow dung is basically the digested residue of [[herbivorous]] matter which is acted upon by [[symbiotic]] [[bacteria]] residing within the animal's [[rumen]]. The resultant faecal matter is rich in [[mineral]]s. Colour ranges from greenish to blackish. In due course, the resulting matter turns yellow due to chemical changes caused by sunlight.  

== Uses ==
In many parts of the developing world, cow dung is used as a [[fertilizer]] and [[fuel]]. Caked and dried cow dung is used as a fuel to cook food in many parts of [[Asia]] and [[Africa]]. Especially in [[India]] where it is known as '''gobar''', cow dung is also used as [[manure]].

In recent times, the dung is collected and used as [[biogas]] used to generate [[electricity]] and heat. The gas is a rich source of [[methane]] and is used in rural areas of India to provide a renewable and stable source of electricity.

Cow dung is also used to line the floor and walls of buildings owing to its [[insect repellent]] properties. In cold places, cow dung is used to line the walls of rustic houses as is a cheap [[thermal insulation|thermal insulator]]. Cow dung has an excellent [[mosquito]] repellent property and is used by many companies to produce repellents.

It was also used extensively on Indian Railways to seal smokeboxes on steam [[locomotive]]s.

Cow dung is also an optional ingredient in the manufacture of [[adobe]] [[mud brick]] housing depending on the availability of materials at hand.<ref>http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/technical/fs34d.htm</ref>



==Colloquialisms==

Cow dung goes by many terms around the world, virtually all of which are [[colloquialism|colloquial]] or slang in nature. Cow dung usually appears in a rounded pile and many many of the terms refer to the shape. They include:

* '''cow pat''' (used in [[England]]; said to originate from the sound made as the faeces drops to the ground)
* '''cow patty'''
* '''cow plop''' 
* '''pasture patty'''
* '''cow chip''', (refers to dried cow dung)
* '''meadow muffin'''
* '''cow pie'''
* '''country pancake'''
* '''buffalo pancake'''
* '''landmine'''



== See also ==
* [[Buffalo chip]]
* [[Manure]]
* [[Biofuel]]
* [[Sacred cow]]

==References==
<references/>
==External links==
* [http://www.iscowp.org/Nuggets/101%20Uses%20for%20Cow%20Dung.htm 101 uses of CowDung]



[[Category:Animal physiology]]
[[Category:Cattle]]
[[Category:Fuels]]
[[Category:Materials involved in Hinduism]]
[[Category:Feces]]

[[de:Kuhdung]]
[[eo:Bova flano]]
[[fr:Bouse]]
[[nds-nl:Kouvlodde]]
[[nn:Kumøkk]]
[[pl:Kał krowi]]

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