Calf Wont Eat.

[LaquaLivestock]

I've had several steers and heifers now and i have seen calves that havent wanted to eat and have given things that eventually got them on the right track. This new steer is not as easy to get eating, I have tried multiple things to get him to eat and nothing has seemed to work on this calf when in such these things may have been helpful in the past. Now I will say this calf has a bit of a different circumstance it was pulled off the mom a bit early but had taken to the creep feeder rather well. unfortunately now the steer is only eating minimal hay and hardly touching the feed. Anyone have any suggestions to kick start his appetite a bit?? Thanks

 

[obie105]

Vita charge paste

 

[LaquaLivestock]

Have you had luck with that, ive always used cellerator turbo but that didnt phase this one...

 

[vc]

Is he penned alone or with other calves?
How long has this been going on?
Is the feed you are feeding him the same as the creep he was eating or different?
Have you tried different feeds?

If he is penned alone can you pen him with another calf?
If the feed is different than the creep you may want to get some of the creep and feed him that and then slowly change him over.
I have had calves not like one type of feed but eat the heck out of a different brand.
If you have only had him a short period he may not adjusted yet.

 

[obie105]

I have had great luck with all vita ferm products they just help keep the bugs in their gut working to keep them on feed. I would also try some of the other things that were suggested. Hopefully he gets back on track for you.

 

[rackranch]

If he won't even eat hay I would start looking for some type of disease process.  I can understand problems with feed but a steer that won't eat hay may have other issues...Take his temp and a stool sample to the vet for startes...

He may have some trash hung up in his rumen, garbage bag, wire ect...Palpate around his belly and see if you has a tender spot... start easy because he make kick if you find the spot..

JMO

 

[vc]

good point, had a fat steer we brought home for some oneelse that had hardware poisoning, sipped water and nibbled hay until he just quit all together.

 

[creativecattle]

If you can't find Vita Charge in your area look for Appetite Igniter from Sullivans. It is the exact same product as Vita Charge, but relabeled. We consider Vita Charge more of a treatment product when something has really gone off feed or is about to be put under additional stress (traveling to a show, weaning). Sure Champ is the daily product that will keep that animal's digestive system simulated.

 

[lil BIG pkg]

Definitely probios oral injection tube we have had two calves that don't eat and we used probios and it gets there appetite up. Never used the vita charge stuff but I think it would work too.