I have two calves one out of thriller the other out of Amen. The thriller calf is very moderate framed and short and stout which is how I like in my calves. My other Amen calf is way better but just started to grow taller by like 4-5 inches taller, and I dont want him to get too framy. I had an extremely tall calf last year and one moderate stout one and they were on VitaFerm does VitaFerm have anything to do with them getting framy and taller? These calves are on it right now and OxyExplosion. Any help? Dont want this calf to get too tall and lose his stoutness PLEASE HELP!
HELP WITH AMEN CALF!
- Thread starter Cowgirl94
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What you can do is make sure they are wormed, and getting at least 2-3% of their body weight in grain daily, you may want to cut back on the protein and add some fat to the Amen steers diet.
Some times you can get by with just adding a fat supplement, other times, depending on your feed mix you may need to go from a developer to a finisher, developers tend to be higher in protein than a finisher. You will want to start adding a pound of Stabilized rice bran or some other fat additive to the Amen steers feed.
Some calves are going to be taller than others, you are fighting gentics, hopefully changing feed can help you slow him down.
Some times you can get by with just adding a fat supplement, other times, depending on your feed mix you may need to go from a developer to a finisher, developers tend to be higher in protein than a finisher. You will want to start adding a pound of Stabilized rice bran or some other fat additive to the Amen steers feed.
Some calves are going to be taller than others, you are fighting gentics, hopefully changing feed can help you slow him down.
Sassy2899
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Try giving him some corn oil and milk replacer. I had a steer that was getting to tall one year and I was told to give him 4 tablespoons of corn oil morning and evening. The milk replacer will help put a little cover on him, so you can use it if you would like.
Cattle Cards
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vc said:
Good advice. I know someone who is doing that right now with a calf.
Cattle Cards
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Sassy2899 said:
Never heard that about Milk Replacer. Makes sense. And I used corn oil in my show horses feed everyday. Added fat and shiny hair coat.
Cattle Cards
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Don't think you need to or want to take him off VitaFerm. When you look at the information about it online it contains:
1.Vitamins, minerals and trace minerals.
2. Digestive tract microorganisms that improves feed utilization.
IMO these are all necessary in a healthy beef animal feeding program, regardless.
Any other opinions?
1.Vitamins, minerals and trace minerals.
2. Digestive tract microorganisms that improves feed utilization.
IMO these are all necessary in a healthy beef animal feeding program, regardless.
Any other opinions?
Okay and I'm headed to stock show and wante to fill him out more he's not a big hay eater so he needs some rib shape but I don't wanna jack up his protein levels too much by feeding alfalfa anything else that will do the trick?
Cattle Cards
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Not sure on the Milk Replacer...I'd PM Sassy2899 for recommendations. As far as fill, Alfalfa is not your best choice. Problems with bloat, cost, etc...plus Alfalfa is your high protein. Do you fees beet pulp? Do you have access to Sudan grass? Maybe even corn fodder?
bulldawg
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I have an Amen calf also, he has been on a Finisher and Vitaferm from the get go, I can say one thing for sure, I don't take them off vitaferm. He eats hay very well, and is gaining 2.8 lbs per day. Not getting that tall, he is 8 mos. old and seems to be growing at a reasonable rate to me. Good luck with your calf.
