Wont eat Hay... 25 days till fair

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Joined
Dec 8, 2010
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Hey  Going along with my other post need to gain 100 lbs in a month here is my next challenge...He has not wanted to eat hay for over a month now.. Got fresh and still nothing.  Likes grass but been told thats a no no for show steers.. any suggestions.
 

OLD WORLD SHORTIE

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Get him some sudan hay, its a wee bit sweeter and might get him going. I would go get a tube of the ProBios that Sullivan's make and see if that gets him going well. Keep lots of clean water, and just keep pushing. What kind of feed are you feeding?
 

Moezmom

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Why isn't grass hay good for show steers?  I was told not to feed alfalfa hay, but bermuda grass was fine......what is the best hay to feed?
 

showsteerdlux

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Its depends on where you are and whats available, but personally, I like either a good 1st cutting orchard grass, sudan, or oat hay. My experience with bermuda, is that id offered free choice they seem to get hay bellied. If fed in moderation it seems to be fine.
In response to the original post, I would suggest trying to find some fresh grass hay, and see if he'll respond to that. Also, Vita Ferm makes a paste called vita charge that really boosts the gut and helps alot.
 
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Started on Vitaferm for his feed on Thursday and gave him a bolus also that day... The hay is freshly bailed.  Were in Kansas so its whatever was bailed.  Just eats ony 3-4 pounds of feed a day and some water.. Need to gain 90 lbs by August 9th.. Will keep trying
 

showsteerdlux

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At this point it almost sounds like he is burned out. If you are in Kansas, try to get some brome hay. Good stuff and I've never seen a calf not eat it.
 

CAB

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Your calf has to have some underlying issues if that is all it will eat. He cannot make the gain that you need or even close to it until he is feeling well. I suggest that you get him cked out by a vet.JMO
 

The Show

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CAB said:
Your calf has to have some underlying issues if that is all it will eat. He cannot make the gain that you need or even close to it until he is feeling well. I suggest that you get him cked out by a vet.JMO
I agree. It sounds like he has something medically wrong with him if its this bad.
 
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Dec 8, 2010
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Gave him probiotics and now eating hay again... Yes something was wrong with his stomache and we had to just work with him... He is now eating hay and up to 15lbs of grain a day... Hoping to go higher on the grain but happy he is doing better... 19 days till fair.
 
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