Concentrate amounts for calf

[TRAILRIDER]

I am feeding my 4 month old calf 3 qts of grain (oats, cracked corn and 12% sweet feed) in the morning and again at night. He also has grass hay 24 hrs a day and pasture in the day time (he is stabled at night.) I am not worried about making a profit on this one, he is for my own freezer. But I was wondering if I am doing him any harm. He is in very good flesh and looks like the animals at the state fair!

Wanted to add he has been weaned of milk for 2 weeks.

[G. Seddon]

Can you weigh him regularly? That and simply looking at him will tell you how he's doing.

Does he have a good loose mineral available free choice? Minerals are very important.

[topside1]

Why not feed the calf "calf starter/grower"? It's a ration just for calves up to 6 months of age. Provides vitamins/minerals and has a 16-18% protein value. Protein builds muscle, corn and sweet feed, not so much. Corn and sweet feed are energy foods...Topside

[Allen W]

I try to feed about 1 percent of body weight per day when feeding grain to growing calves.

[sammyd]

I usually run a 16% grower ration till they are over a year. I will feed over 1% bodyweight untill around 6 months.

[Lazy J]

That calf needs more protein or he will lose his "good flesh".

[Allen W]

My goal is to keep a calf that age growing at a moderate rate, building frame and muscle in preparation for being turned out on grass or wheat pasture. Once they are turned out the grain will disappear from their diet, when depends on size and weather. As grass quality deteriorates in the summer they will have protein blocks available.

[TRAILRIDER]

Good to know, thanks. I was worried if too much corn might cause him to founder. I was originally feeding http://www.southernstates.com/catalo...ured-50lb.aspx this 16% sweet feed from southern states. Then switched over to the mix as it came to about 1/2 the price and I had all those ingredients on hand from feeding my horse, goats and chickens. But maybe it would be better for him in the long run.