How and what to get calves to eat from creep feeder

I am kind of new with using a creep feeder with new born calves or a little older calves.  Most of our claves are from 3 to 4 weeks old now.  I tried pellet form starter feed and they really dont eat from the feeder long.  I was thinking about mixing my own with just cracked corn, oats and molasses then mix it in a bucket to get them started eating a little better. 

I guess I am asking for help on this topic. what does everyone use for creep feed and how do you get the calves to stay interested in the creep feed?  Would the cracked corn,oats and molasses hand mixed be ok or should I mix something else in with it.  I want to start seeing them eat just a little more.  Thanks oh, one more thing they are grazing a little bit and eat from the free choice round bale so I know that they are interested.  Also seen them at feeder but it is like the commercial feed is to dry for them and need something sweet like molasses. what does everyone else think. Thanks again for any information.

I made a topic similar to this back when I first got my creep feeder. Someone told me to just put some fresh hay down in the floor of the cage of the feeder and the calves would start going in there more often because it's a soft place to lay and they'll eventually start eating. It works! I can hardly keep them out now and I just feed Co-op feed.

Good luck!

I always put the hay on the ground & try to start them on a feed that has a sweet smell & taste in the beginning. I then switch them over to whatever I'm going to be feeding .

the hay thing works...i just use whatever kind of feed im feeding my mommas...which this year happens to be a 12% calf feed that is corn based, not a fan of pellet feed, i havent had very good luck getting them started on pellets...when i wean them ill start changing over to a show feed...
my problem is the front bars arent wide enough...

Good problem to have there...if the shoulders fit and the ass doesn't = a good thing.

We've just used oats to creep feed with. But regardless of what you are using, the calves won't eat a lot of it until they are 3-4 months old. The condition of your pasture will also have something to do with when they really start using the feed. Up til about 3 months they get a lot of what they need from mama's milk. This may last longer, depending on the condition and quality of your pasture. More good grass = more milk. Short or dry grass = less milk.

Another thing to remember is that a 200-300 lb calf simply won't eat a lot of grain. Just think of what you are supposed to feed a bottle calf, 2 lbs of grain when you wean them, that is about as much as you can expect a 3-4 week old calf to eat anyways.

linnettejane said:

the hay thing works...i just use whatever kind of feed im feeding my mommas...which this year happens to be a 12% calf feed that is corn based, not a fan of pellet feed, i havent had very good luck getting them started on pellets...when i wean them ill start changing over to a show feed...
my problem is the front bars arent wide enough...

Click to expand...

Do these bars make my ass look too big? (clapping)

GoWyo said:

linnettejane said:

the hay thing works...i just use whatever kind of feed im feeding my mommas...which this year happens to be a 12% calf feed that is corn based, not a fan of pellet feed, i havent had very good luck getting them started on pellets...when i wean them ill start changing over to a show feed...
my problem is the front bars arent wide enough...

Click to expand...

Do these bars make my ass look too big? (clapping)

Click to expand...

No I think his butt makes those bars look small.  To answer the question we have never had a problem getting calves to eat, we put feed out when they are 3-4 months old and they eat the pellet feed when they are ready......maybe purebred Angus are just easier like that.