How much creep do you give your calves?

[brigadoon]

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

 

[Werzle]

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

 

[Jasper]

Can you find any oats near you there good for calves rolled or unrolled mix them with your blend help keep the cost down . puts a real shine on them

 

[rhuvid]

Depends on when you plan to sell the calves? Bulls or Steers?

 

[delilah]

None.

 

[brigadoon]

Depends on when you plan to sell the calves? Bulls or Steers?

Spring sale target - steers

 

[brigadoon]

None.

tried that - not good results

 

[rhuvid]

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]

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.

 

[Hfd Cattle]

I calve all yr round so there is adlib creep all yr round.

 

[Whitepeak]

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]

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]

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

 

[Timbo]

As much as they'll eat from as soon as they'll take it. No room here for trundle-ers. They hit the ground growing and I need them to keep doing that.

 

[AftonShepherd]

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.

 

[Timbo]

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.

Couldnt agree more.

 

[Matt]

feed them what they want. the smaller they are the more they will grow. bigger/older animal needs more for maintence...