Spoiled brat steer...

[orangehen]

Okay, so I’ve never raised a steer before, but have had one for over a year now, eating my lawn so I don’t have to mow so much. Last winter, daughter’s boyfriend brought hay over, and little guy (4-6 months old) didn’t eat so much.

This winter, he’s eating a lot. I thought it would be easier to get a large round bale, tarp it, and pull hay from sides to feed him, so I had one delivered. The spoiled brat DOESN’T LIKE IT. It’s nice, soft, grass hay, no stems, but a little on the dry side. Smells great, no rain, no mold. My daughter says, just keep it in front of him until he eats it, but I’d like him to plow into it like he does the other few small bales I’ve got left, which won’t him last through the winter.

Is there anything I could sprinkle on the hay to get him to eat it? Have any of you had this problem? I don’t give him anything else besides a little treat of crushed corn or apples or pumpkins in the mornings. Hope someone has some ideas…….Thanks!

[Old Vet]

Get a little sweet feed and put it on that bale of hay and it will be gone before you know it. Use a bout 1/2 galion on each feed or less. But you can keep it in front of him and he will eat it before starving.

[edcopp]

How are you fixed for freezer space?

[orangehen]

Yup, Ed, he's going in the freezer in the spring. Just have to get him through the winter first.