feeding ammount

Cardoza Farms · #1 06/12/13, 01:17 PM

I have two Charolais both 6 months old I've been feeding them about two and a half flakes of 3 way hay once in the am and once in the evening, so about 5 flakes total a day. they devour the hay and act like they are still hungry so I usually give them a little more. am I underfeeding them or overfeeding them? they do not look thin at all I would post a picture but this site isn't allowing me to attach pictures? any info would help thanks..

G. Seddon · #2 06/12/13, 02:22 PM

What is 3-way hay? Is this ALL they are getting? Are they on good pasture? Do they have access to free-choice loose minerals? How long have you had them and what were they eating before you got them?

I'm not familiar with your farm and pasture environment, but I think 6-month old weanlings need a lot more than you are feeding.

Pictures would help. Open a photobucket account and go from there.

o&itw · #3 06/12/13, 02:42 PM

Bulls? Steers? Heifers? Are you raising them for breeding? Meat? what is your intention? Also, as the above person asked, are they on pasture or getting anything else?

PS. I am not familiar with "3-way" hay either.

o&itw · #4 06/12/13, 02:55 PM

oops, double post

Cardoza Farms · #5 06/12/13, 03:22 PM

Three way hay is a combo of oat, wheat, and barley the breeder I bought them feeds all her cattle oat hay, I'm raising the steer for beef and keeping the heifer for breeding. The cattle are in a large corral I have an all trace mineral block for them also no pasture I have had the calves for 2 1/2 months.

Cardoza Farms · #6 06/12/13, 03:55 PM

Here is a picture of my steer he was born on New Year's Day.

bruce2288 · #7 06/12/13, 04:05 PM

They are too thin. Just feeding hay they should get all they can eat, after all the idea is to get them to grow quickly.These calves look to have a bit of brahman blood to me.

G. Seddon · #8 06/12/13, 04:51 PM

Agree with bruce2288. I would provide all the hay they want esp. since they've got no pasture. I, myself, would be giving them some grain in addition to hay (if you add grain, do it slowly and increase gradually). These are young growing animals and they'll need protein to be all they can be, especially a heifer you want to breed later.

I'd also suggest getting rid of the trace mineral block and use a good quality loose mineral (no need to provide a salt block too as the loose minerals will have salt in them). Put minerals where they won't get wet and keep them fresh. Calves will help themselves as they need.

Fresh clean water 24/7 and a shelter for shade. Looks like they might need it.

Good luck with them.

Cardoza Farms · #9 06/12/13, 05:08 PM

Oh man now I feel like a bad owner, I'm glad I got on here and posted a picture, I'm gonna start feeding them A LOT more and gonna pick up some 4 way grain for them today....thanks for all the feedback ill keep u guys updated...

G. Seddon · #10 06/12/13, 05:26 PM

If you do get grain, go slowly.....many people feed no grain whatsoever, but since yours have no pasture, it's something to consider...perhaps 1/2 a lb. each of a 12% protein feed, twice a day, increase very gradually until their systems adjust. That is what I would do, but others may have different suggestions.

Don't worry, the calves will be fine and so will you! Take lots of photos so you can record their progress (and share them with us, of course!).

Cardoza Farms · #11 06/12/13, 05:32 PM

I appreciate it, ill definetly keep y'all updated. These are my first cattle so it's a learning proccess. Thank god for the good ol Internet!

topside1 · #12 06/12/13, 07:02 PM

Hay should be given free choice, simply meaning available 24 hours a day. With that in mind they can only eat so much, usually 2.5-3% of their body weight per day. They are no different than us, we humans can only eat so much apple pie and then it's time to lay down. Chewing cud is optional, sorry I couldn't help myself.
Find a more efficient way to feed your steers, waste is money...Topside

topside1 · #13 06/12/13, 07:08 PM

From what I'm seeing right now they are considered BCS 3, meaning body condition score of 3. They ought to be a five or six....I also realize they are only feeders @ 6 months old. Topside

http://www.cowbcs.info/photogallery.html

Cardoza Farms · #14 06/12/13, 08:06 PM

I just finished building them a hay feeder big enough to hold two bales at a time, now that I think about it, it makes a lot of sense to have a 24/7 buffet. I appreciate everybody's input....

Allen W · #15 06/13/13, 09:03 AM

I would feed them what they will clean up in a day. Two calves will waste a lot of hay picking through it if they have free access. It sounds like your feeding small square bales so feed control is more manageable then with round bales.

Cardoza Farms · #16 06/27/13, 10:22 PM

Quick update I've started them on some grain and let them have all the hay they want they both look like they have put on a little weight to me....

G. Seddon · #17 06/28/13, 07:02 AM

I think you're right! Flanks have filled in a bit, haven't they? And it's only been two weeks...way to go! Take pictures on a regular basis and you'll see the improvement!

topside1 · #18 06/28/13, 07:13 AM

I'm with G, clearly an improvement. When you consider ADG average daily gain to be slightly over 2 pounds per day, then it doesn't take long to notice a change in mass. Plus deeper gut fill, thanks to the extra hay offered....Be happy,,,,Topside

Allen W · #19 06/28/13, 07:31 AM

Yes they look a lot better

Cardoza Farms · #20 06/29/13, 01:20 AM

Thanks I've been giving them 4 way grain on top of the hay, should I consider any different type of grain? You all have been a great help, I'm new to cattle and want the best for the animals. Being in the high desert it's difficult to have a pasture so any input is greatly appreciated...