Heifer Feed Recomendations

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William

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May 26, 2008
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I am getting a new heifer next week and I was wondering what I should feed her. She is a bred Charolais heifer, pretty good size. She has been on pasture all summer so she isn't really in show shape. I am planning on showing her at my county fair in September. Are there any suggestions for what I should feed her? I would appreciate everyone letting me know what you think.
 

BCCC

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When is she due?? I would suggest a good grower, or finisher, and a lotta grass hay so she wont get to fat
 

William

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She is due in February. Would you feed just grass hay or alfalfa too?
 

Sam

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May 20, 2008
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Alfalfa is too hot to start her right on, start her on 2 flakes of hay am and pm, then slowly switch it over to 1 of alfalfa 1 of hay am/pm.  Start her on 5lbs of wet cob am/pm and once she starts to eat it, add in some rolled barley and oats.  Make sure that you don't go over 3% of her body weight.  Feed her early in the am, and exactly 12 hours apart in the pm. Try not to get her too fat, it will affect her pregnancy. Charolais tend to get fat so be careful. Have fun and good luck!  Make sure you use oxyclean on her knees and rear.
 

BCCC

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I would also start her out on grass hay, and if you want, its not needed however you can move her over to 50/50 grass/alfalfa. I would personally start her on 2.5lbs of a finisher mornining and night, and work your way up to 10-15 lbs or so, if you see her getting fat deposits,  cut back on the feed and add in some oats. And like sam said dont go over 3% of her body weight. and dontlet her get to fat! good luck
 

Sam

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you're welcom, remember you can ask me if you need any help with her.
 

Sam

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Don't start her on a finisher, start her like I said to and slowly bump up 1/4-1/2lbs of barley a day and the same with rolled oats.
so your first feeding will be this;
1/3/4 flakes hay, 1/4 flake alfalfa
5 lbs (2 coffee cans) wet cob (the taste will get her interested)


Wait two days, then switch to this (or until she takes to the feed, if she gets the runs, switch to straight hay, then once she gets solid put her back on the hay schedule I am giving you)

1/1/2 flakes hay, 1/2 flake alfalfa
5 lbs wet cob, 1/4 (or 1/3 coffee can) rolled oats and 1/4 lbs barley. Wait two days then advance Another 1/4 lbs/flake. If she gets runny don't advance, and be careful because starting on alfalfa in this heat will bloat them easier than in other times of the year.

Just watch her stools that will tell you everything.  It will probably be harder this time of year to get her started on grain so make sure she is kept out of the sun and cool, and fed around 6:30 am and 6:30 pm.  This is a grower/ fattner ration so she will be getting fat off the barley and corn (in the cob) but she won't get too fat because of the equal amount of oats.  Add some fasttrack to her food also. Don't put her on anything paylene.
 

Sam

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It's my own personal opinion, but if she is a good heifer, and she is bred, I see no need to give her "legal" steroids.  I don't know a ton about the stuff but I do know what it does to their cells and coming from both a commercial breeder and a show breeder, I think that it is irresponsible to put a good bred heifer on the stuff.  Not to mention the controversy it will cause.  I will not sell animals to kids that put them on paylene, I think that if you feed it right and you exercise it like you should, there should be no need to use it. We never used it, we just walked the calves a mile in the evening, some uphill, some downhill, and that built up the muscle enough that we didn't need it.  And no, they  did not grade horribly, they were always choice+ or Prime.  That is my own opinion, I just think that short cuts that may or may not sacrifice a BRED heifer are not worth it.  I am sure that people have huge success with the stuff and do great with it, but I also think that if the kid wants a project they shouldn't take short cuts.  We used to show 15+ so don't try to say I am a rookie.  We always have champ, or at least made it to the finals, and sat in the top for the carcass contest. And they weren't small shows they were regionals, and the fair had over 100 head of steers and at least 20+ heifers.  All in all, I know what I am talking about.
 

BCCC

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Oh paylean, It not even for breeding aniamls, and there are only a couple top dress that even have it in it, it doesnt come in feed. I was never suggestion paylean....

I was askign why not a finisher??
 

Sam

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You don't use a finisher until they are on feed and the worry of them going off of feed is out of the way.  In this heat they are more likely to go off of a "hot" feed, such as corn, barley, etc.  It may/may not cause bloating, but why take the chance of making her sick.  Also, because the fair is so close and around the corner he would have to really push her to have that finisher make a difference.  I would use an equal amount of carbs/proteins to reduce the risk of bloat and going off of feed.  I am speaking from personal experience here, nothing more discouraging than to find a bloated $2500 bred heifer laying on the ground because you loaded her up on corn, barley and alfalfa to get a little fat on her. But, that's what baking soda is for I guess.
 

angusboy1

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Jun 17, 2008
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Crossett
umm i know a guy that is relay good with that kinda of information ill ask him and tell you what he says
 

Sam

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While I typed that message I was visiting with a friend who has a bachelors degree in animal nutrition.  I gave you my input and her input
 

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