How much creep do you give your calves?

brigadoon

Member
Location
Galloway
Small herd of sucklers - luing, AA & Whitebred Sho cows to Simmental Bull - we are putting out 1Kg per head a day and it is going like snow off a dyke - it is our first year with this bull having previously used the Whitebred - I get the impression that the calves would eat more if I put it out but to my eye they are doing ok - so my question is would it pay in the long run to feed them more and if so how much ( its a bought in blend @ 18% protein). Calves are born late April to early July

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Werzle

Member
Location
Midlands
Depends what you want to do with them, alot of creep fed calves are on adlib to get them in best condition for autumn store sales but if your wintering them then there isnt the need to push them hard with more feed than you giving them. Anytime i have tried the recomended 18% creep it just makes them scour so i usually just use a 16% beef blend/nut
 

rhuvid

Member
I’ve got my calves on ad-lib creep, try not to let it go empty. But selling most straight off the cow. Char heifers an steers, an Saler Bulls. The calves that won’t be sold in autumn will be parted out now soon an have access to creep, but not ad-lib. You just want them to be eating abit, ready for weaning. Perhaps up it if short of grass
 

Anymulewilldo

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Cheshire
Once I’ve got mine eating well they get it ad-lib in the creep. I want the bulls storming on at weaning too go on full fattening ration too be gone at 12/14 month. The heifers when weaned will be taken off ad-lib and onto more forage based feed with a bit of concs morning and night. I’ve found they all wean better for having creep the last 2 months before weaning when my grass quality starts too edge off.
 

Whitepeak

Member
Livestock Farmer
I've only got one group of 5 calves on creep atm. The main group aren't having anything yet- the joys of having sheep in the same field 🙄
The 5 calves are April born and are clearing a mineral tub full a day (not actually weighed how much), going to start giving them more this week.
 

shearerlad

Member
Livestock Farmer
I’m a big believer in filling creep feeders with the telescopic.
The reason being that if you try to feed a certain amount, the bigger, bolder calves will always take their fill and leave very little for the small or shy ones.
Ad-lib and the big ones come in first, the wee ones can then get as much as they want afterwards
This was another father/son debate, but the ad-lib way has seen a vast improvement in the smaller/younger/shy calves, and average weaning weights are far better.

Improvement in your average is done by bringing your bottom end up.
 

Anymulewilldo

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Cheshire
I’m a big believer in filling creep feeders with the telescopic.
The reason being that if you try to feed a certain amount, the bigger, bolder calves will always take their fill and leave very little for the small or shy ones.
Ad-lib and the big ones come in first, the wee ones can then get as much as they want afterwards
This was another father/son debate, but the ad-lib way has seen a vast improvement in the smaller/younger/shy calves, and average weaning weights are far better.

Improvement in your average is done by bringing your bottom end up.
👌 full agreement
 

AftonShepherd

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
East Ayrshire
I've only got one group of 5 calves on creep atm. The main group aren't having anything yet- the joys of having sheep in the same field 🙄
The 5 calves are April born and are clearing a mineral tub full a day (not actually weighed how much), going to start giving them more this week.
Portequip do an add on to deepen and therefore sheep proof the trough. Wouldn't be hard to make something similar. We manage to get calves started in a field without sheep then they know where to look by the time I bolt the extension in. Not sure how easy they'd be to get started straight off.
 

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