% of feed to body weight for calves

Justin SE IOWA · Nov 10, 2013

I got 3 little heifers last weekend to fatten up. One is 280 lbs, one is 340 lbs and the last one is 380lbs. About how many pounds of feed should I be feeding them per day? My feed mill said 5 lbs per head per day. I give them about 10lbs in the morning and 10lbs at night. They eat it all gone in less than a minute! They all eat out of the same bunk at the same time. They have a big round bale of hay to eat on the rest of the day. Should I give them a little more feed? I raised up a couple last year but I forgot how much I fed them per day per their weight.

petetx · Nov 10, 2013

sounds about rite bring up as they grow to about 8#s a day

larryanderson · Nov 11, 2013

Rule of thumb 2% of body weight and usually 2/1/2% is near full feed.Example 25# is about all a 1000 # calf will eat.Best to keep them coming to bunk.Of course it depends on your ration but 10/11% protein is close.An older successful cattleman told me the best way to tell how you are feeding is to watch the rear.Quality fresh feed and good hay are a must to keep cattle on feed.Something else a good health program is essential to herd health.Parasites can rob your profit.

LAA · Nov 11, 2013

Calves that size can be fed free choice, they will eat when hungry and put themselves on full feed, just like a creep feeder. I would put double the amount of the daily ration your feeding now in the trough and see what they do with it but keep feed in front of them all the time.

formenwhogrow · Nov 11, 2013

Watch their sh**. If too much undigested feed is coming out, you're wasting it. How much they're able to eat vs how much they are able to convert to gain can be 2 different things. Also, with calves that small, grain overload can lead to bloat or other digestive problems, but as long as they are eating enough hay, that shouldnt be a problem. What kind of critters are they?

Justin SE IOWA · Nov 11, 2013

They are simmental angus cross. The 3 of them are eating about 20lbs per day and I don't see any corn in their poop so I would say they are digesting it. Thanks for your help

% of feed to body weight for calves

Justin SE IOWA

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petetx

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larryanderson

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LAA

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formenwhogrow

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Justin SE IOWA

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