how much hay does a mini/midi jersey need daily?

cathleenc · #1 04/25/08, 04:21 PM

I'm trying to project our hay needs for the coming year and secure a supply before it's even cut.

We'll be getting 3 newborn midi or mini jersey calves in January. (full size jerseys are being ai'd for us with mini semen). Can you help me get an idea of how much hay they'll need on a daily basis and when the consumption starts to increase?

For example,
0 - 3 months: 4-6 lbs per calf per day
3 - 6 months: 6-8 lbs calf/day

(making up the numbers to give you and idea of what I'm hoping to plot out)

any ideas? recommendations? Does it need to be pure alfalfa hay?

thanks!
Cathy

topside1 · #2 04/25/08, 04:31 PM

Cathy, just base it on their weight...4% of body should be in hays. 1000 pound animal 40 pounds of hay per day including waste.

matt_man · #3 04/25/08, 04:33 PM

What I have been told is 50# per day for every 1000# of animal. We have 2 midsized jerseys and we went through about 175 square bales (60 lb) and 2 1000# round bales this winter. We were also feeding two bull calves (400# each). There was a lot of waste from the square bales because it was poor quality but they ate every scrap of the round bales. We feed twice a day and do not have it available free choice.

A grass mix hay would be sufficient. And with you not getting them until Jan and bottle feeding, I am assuming....I wouldn't think they would be needing much hay at all until the green grass sets in.

Rachel