Steer being fidgety with feed!

[ChristaCheatham]

Hi! Well my steer has a show this weekend and we've started feeding him from the pan to get him used to it.  It would help if he would eat it! I put the gate up between him and the heifer he is with but he justs walks around eat a few bites and walks around some more! Ugh!!! Today we also put some high octane depth charge in for the show... probably didn't eat any of that.  After waiting around for 20 minutes I got frusturated and just put the food with the heifer and let him loose. What happens? He goes straight to the hay and the stupid heifer starts eating his food! He's not skinny or anything but I need him to pooch out more... any advice what can I do in a few days!! I need help!!!

 

[Hoosier]

Have you been feeding the two together?  If so, try tying them up side by side with just enough slack that they can eat comfortably but can't reach each others feed.  I have found that competition is the best way to get i picky one to eat.  Also keep him away from hay until he eats his feed.  If he figures out that he's not getting any hay until he cleans up the feed he'll get the idea.