trouble gaining weight

cricket2075 · #1 06/03/08, 10:56 AM

Hi! I have 2 beef cows that were purchased last April. My goal was to feed them out and butcher by this august or September. One steer is about 850 lbs and looks great. The other one seemed to be doing well, then lost about 100 lbs., I wormed him and he picked up. Just recently he lost all his weight again. Wormed him again. He is very happy, playful, and eats like a "horse". He is always the first at the feeder. Any thoughts on why he won't keep weight on? HELP!!!!

Jay · #2 06/03/08, 02:20 PM

What are they getting to eat? Hay, pasture, grain(s)?
What breed are they?
Need more info....worms may not be the problem....

mtman · #3 06/03/08, 09:59 PM

could be a kidney prob.

cricket2075 · #4 06/04/08, 06:37 AM

They are on pasture all the time, are fed grain and hay twice daily. I started giving him milk replacer (a cup on top of his feed) twice daily, but he just isn't gaining. He is getting taller, just not bigger.

kscowboy · #5 06/04/08, 06:55 AM

what breed , age and how much grain and what type are you feeding ?

Jay · #6 06/04/08, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cricket2075

They are on pasture all the time, are fed grain and hay twice daily. I started giving him milk replacer (a cup on top of his feed) twice daily, but he just isn't gaining. He is getting taller, just not bigger.

Sounds like he is having a growth spurt, looking "lanky" as he gets taller.
What kind of grain(s) is he getting???????
Do they have minerals/salt available 24/7 ????

My last steer hit a growth spurt, got taller, then about 6-8 weeks later started putting the food on in pounds, not so much height.

Over worming can do just as much damage as no or little worming. Have a fecal count done to see if he really needs it. (It's like taking medicine for something you *might* have....but not really sure.) Does no good but waste $$ and doesn't help matters at all, and could actually make things worse.

cricket2075 · #7 06/06/08, 08:41 AM

He is a holstein cross. He has full access to pasture and a mineral block 24/7. Except for the weight gain, he looks great.

travlnusa · #8 06/07/08, 08:52 AM

If the fecal count tells you to deworm again change your method.

They each treat 90% of the same bugs, and each cover about 10% different bugs.

I switch each year.

If you used pour-on, this time inject and if you injected, pour-on.

Since this guy will soon be dinner, make sure you inject in the neck, not where you would find any good steaks, roasts, etc.