I was wondering how all of you get your calves to to going to the creep feeder and eating out of it. What are some of your tricks or tips that everyone can share to get calves on feed quicker? Also was wondering how soon do you start put feed in the creep feeder for the calves???? how much feed would you start out with.. I dont want it to go bad. I have four calves right now and 2 more on the way with in the next 2 weeks. Thanks for all suggestions and tips or tricks in advance.
Tips and tricks to get calves to eat creep feed from creep feeder
- Thread starter DB
- Start date
Help Support Steer Planet:
OH Breeder
Well-known member
We started out with small amount and see how fast they consume. Check it everyday.I have 5 out right now on creep. They all go right in. We do use molasses in our creep and the smell is good for attracting them to it. I put the creep feeder out as soon as calves start hitting the ground. My January calves are consuming more than the others, but age is fact of course.
savaged
Well-known member
If your calves are at least a couple weeks old just put the feeder near where the cows loaf (near water, hay, etc). Put a couple handfuls of your preferred show feed in the trough. Now for the hard part: don't watch and wait - it will drive you nuts. They will eventually wander into the creep feeder, and when they do they will find the grain. If it gets old and dry just replace it, but do not add much to start. You might also want to throw a bit of good hay in it too.
Patience is the only trick I know, but once they get going they will really go at it!
Patience is the only trick I know, but once they get going they will really go at it!
Near where the cows loaf is great advice..... To get the, started they have to be near it. Once started I have seen a group of calves Ina hundred acre pasture leave the cows to come eat.
The high molasses to get them started also, but don't put much of it out at first as the sugar attracts flies and gets kinda nasty after a few days if they are not eating it.
The high molasses to get them started also, but don't put much of it out at first as the sugar attracts flies and gets kinda nasty after a few days if they are not eating it.
So at what age should or does everyone try to start getting the calves to eat grain????? Also some of you so far have talked about making sure the feed has a sweet smell???? correct???
thanks for everyone that has posted and to anyone that may post later on.
thanks for everyone that has posted and to anyone that may post later on.
CAB
Well-known member
As someone above stated, calves are by nature born curious, so the sooner the better as far as when to start. It's OK to start them very early and then take it away again. They will not forget that there was feed in it. I think that it would be better to take it out of the pen also if not wanting to continue feeding for a period of time. As the calves get older they become more skiddish & wary of things and it will take much longer in general to get them to enter the feeder. I have sometimes put a really good square of hay in the feeder to coax calves in, but usually cows seem to work hard at getting that, but that in it's self can make the calves want to also ck out what momma thinks is good in there.
jbzdad
Well-known member
if using tubs or mineral put those near the creep feeder
Freddy
Well-known member
START THEM 2 WEEKS TO A MONTH after calving ,while the cows are confined or the loafing areas ,don't wait till they go to pasture ....
