How long should calves be on starter feed?
It is suggested that calves should be consuming a minimum of 2 lb/day of a high quality calf starter before weaning. Calves can be maintained on the starter for 2 to 3 weeks postweaning and then transition to a grower diet offered with long forage.
What should a 3 month old calf eat?
Allow the calf to eat up to 5 pounds per day of calf starter and all the hay it will eat. Starter is usually fed up to 3 months. After 3 months, you can use a good grower ration. Following is a good calf grower mixture (containing about 18 percent crude protein):
What is the best diet for a calf?
Important aspects of calf feeding:Colostrum feeding within half an hour of birth.Feeding whole milk/ milk replacer to calves.Introduction of calf starter/good quality grain from 2nd week onwards.Good quality hay should also be given to calves.Deworming and vaccination.
When should a calf start eating grain?
In early weaning systems calves need to begin eating some grain by 2 weeks of age to allow enough rumen development to occur before weaning at 5 or 6 weeks of age. If we do a good job of managing grain intake, it is possible to wean calves at 6 weeks, even when milk feeding rates are high.
How much grain should a 4 month old calf eat?
That also depends on his weight and the ration, but a good rule of thumb is that a calf will eat 2.5% of his body weight in dry matter each day.
At what age can calves eat hay?
Heinrichs and Jones suggest holding off on hay feeding until calves are consuming 5 to 6 pounds of texturized starter grain per day, at around 7 to 8 weeks of age. If the starter grain is in pelleted form with high amounts of ruminally digestible forage, hay should be introduced a bit earlier, at 5 to 6 weeks of age.
What is the best grain for calves?
Alfalfa or other high-quality legume hay, silage, or haylage can be used to supplement corn silage for protein in calf rations. It will take 3.5 to 4.5 pounds of alfalfa hay to supply the amount of protein contained in 1.2 to 1.5 pounds of soybean meal.
Do calves need salt?
Calves need salt to help their body's to build strong bones. It also helps them to have regular heartbeats. Salt helps with blood clotting. It also helps with muscle movement.
How much corn should a calf eat per day?
Calves that are gaining at a moderate rate (2 to 3 lbs/day) need about 1.5% of their body weight as grains (800 lb calf = 12 lbs of grain), whereas calves gaining at a greater rate (+ 3 lbs/day) need more grain in their diet and should consume up to 2.0 to 2.25% of their body weight as grain (800 lb calf = 16 to 20 lbs ...
How long do you feed calves pellets?
Within a few days of weaning, the pellet consumption of the calf will rapidly increase and its growth rate will rise. Continue to house calves off pasture and feed unrestricted pellets, straw and water until 10-12 weeks of age.
Is hay good for calves?
Calves tend to prefer hay over straw, however both improve rumen function. Calves prefer long versus chopped hay, whereas they show no significant preference between long versus chopped straw.
Should calves eat hay?
Calves seem to eat chopped hay more consistently than long hay and will sometimes prefer highly palatable hay over starter. Consumption of low quality chopped hay tends to be quite consistent, and in 3 independent studies intake of chopped straw was about 4% of calves' total dry feed intake.
Can you wean a calf at 3 months?
Weaning calves at 3 to 5 months of age may also be a viable alternative if forages are scarce in the latter part of the grazing season. There are a number of items to consider prior to early weaning calves. Calves can adapt quickly to the change in environment and diet if a management plan has been carefully developed.
How long do you feed calves pellets?
Within a few days of weaning, the pellet consumption of the calf will rapidly increase and its growth rate will rise. Continue to house calves off pasture and feed unrestricted pellets, straw and water until 10-12 weeks of age.
How much does a calf weigh at 3 months?
How Much Does A Calf Weigh?AgeJersey (lbs.)Holstein (lbs.)1 month93-108119-1362 months122-146161-1893 months155-177211-2344 months183-217258-2845 more rows•Apr 27, 2022
How often should calves be fed?
Twice a dayTwice a day feeding is a common practice among cattlemen. Calves should consume 8 to 10 percent of their body weight daily. Divide your calf's meals between morning and evening, feeding an equal amount each time—between 4 and 5 percent of his body weight.