aswaim said:
I agree with show stopper. the term hot he is referring to is the amount of corn (carbohydrates in the diet) carbohydrates are converted to glucose (sugar) and stored as fat.(to much carbohydrates will "burn up" the good bugs in the rumen causing rumen acidosis) the calf needs to grow before he can get fat. that's why feedlots having growing rations and only have cattle on finishing rations for 60 to 90 days or how they see fit. and Im totally in on the sure champ or some kind of regular probiotic. we have always used sure champ in conjunction with weekly doses of either gel type probiotics. and you definitely need to be on a regular worming program. and id also say keep him hungry. feed him a pound less than what he can consume for a while and clean his feed out of his trough after 30 minutes or an hour. make him want to come to the bunk and eat.
I think it's safe to say you're not familiar with monensin/ rumensin.
Hot refers to energy. I can make a ration hot(er) by jacking up the protein, fat, or carbs. To suggest it only refers to carbs is not exactly right. Excess protein and fat are converted to sugars as well. Fat provide over twice the energy of carbs. Hence the reason stabilized rice brand is so highly regarded to put that final cover on one.
You can choose any option you want, OP. With my ration you might come close to your goal. All you need is 3lbs of gain a day. But with the results you've presented us with, and lowering the TDN % of the ration, I assure you you won't come close.
To say a calf needs to grow before he CAN get fat is terribly misleading as well. Familiarize yourself with the -Holstein calf fed model-
CALVES WITH BURNT UP GUTS AREN'T CONSUMING 20+lbs of grain/day.