best way to switch feeds in the middle of the season

[5PCC]

We have 3 kids, who have a steer and a heifer each- so 6 calves total. We have been feeding Honor Show Chow. Apparently we are not going to be able to get the Finishing Touch for the steers any longer. We can still get the Fitter's Edge for the heifers, but it's all getting too expensive anyway, so my husband wants to switch everything to a custom mix using the Grand 4 T Fyer.

Unfortunately, it has taken my husband and I some time to agree on custom rations. I know that it is suggested to feed half old feed and half new feed for a while. I always assumed that was just to get the calf to like the new feed. Is it actually dangerous to the calf if we don't do the switchover this way? I'm asking because we are almost out of the bagged feed. I don't have a problem buying more of the bagged feed during the transition time. BUT we may not be able to come up with any more of the Finishing Touch. I have been told that I can now only get that by special order and it will take 2 weeks. So how do I transition the calves to the new feed if I can't get any of the old feed to mix it with? Is this dangerous to the calf? Will it kill the calves? They are eating around 28 to 32 pounds a day.

 

[frostback]

If you cant do it slowly and mix the new with old, I would just cut back on the amount of new feed. Might probios the calves too just to make sure the bugs are active and gut is working. If they eat it just slowly up the amount. I have had to do this a time or two and not it should not kill them.

 

[Tallcool1]

If you cant do it slowly and mix the new with old, I would just cut back on the amount of new feed. Might probios the calves too just to make sure the bugs are active and gut is working. If they eat it just slowly up the amount. I have had to do this a time or two and not it should not kill them.

I agree.  Just cut them back a little and they will take off! 

 

[Honkomp]

With the few calves the kids have had, I have always changed to my custom preference when we got 'em home.  I have always mixed the old with the new, mostly to keep them eating.  The one time I tried changing "cold turkey" the calf stopped eating and lost some condition.  I think young cattle get a little picky about their feed and mixing keeps them eating.  I have never had a problem with an older cow, they usually try to eat the bottom out of a bunk as long as there is a possibility of grain on the other end.  just MHO, good luck

 

[5PCC]

That's a relief! I can deal with the calf being finicky for a but, but I can't deal with dead! The guy at the feed place kind of acted like I would kill them. To be honest, the feed store/mill folks are not that nice. I hate that!!

I had considered cutting them back a bit, but that is subjective...about how many pounds do you think I should cut them back? I also feed them about 3 pounds of Purina Receiving Chow (PreCon) per feeding. I will keep that the same. Hopefully that will help a bit. Thanks!

 

[vc]

I agree with Frostback, I would cut the feed in half then add what ever top dressing you feed, and as long as theres no problem increase it a pound a feeding until they get back to full feed, I would also give them probios during the transition period. Hit them with paste the first day and just use the dry probios each feeding for the rest of the transition. We give the dry probios at least once a week just to be safe.