Free Choice Finishing Ration

[CVHFarmsLLC]

We are planning to hold back a few of our weaned steers to butcher for the extended family this year. It will be our first time to do this. Unfortunately, we do not live full time at our ranch which makes logistics a nightmare for doing anything beyond commercial cow/calf operation. Once I slowly transition the calves to full feed, is there any reason I couldn't feed free-choice feedlot mix from a 1/2 ton bulk feeder?

 

[SBMF 2015]

In theory it will work fine. Use a product like Purina Acuration.
Feeder cattle get bored and can cause all kinds of problems when they are unsupervised.
Another thing, cattle finished on a self feeder tend to be a little more spooky. Due to their lack of interaction.

 

[Stickney94]

There are many additives you can use that would make this easier to manage remotely (inonosphores, bloat guards etc). Talk to a nutritionist.

However, as long as you slowly increase the grain amount in the ration using the self feeder will work with none of those additives as well (natural). In my operation I provide plenty of free choice dry hay to help the cattle balance their rumen.

As SBMF says though, have a good yard fence. If you don't, or want to be extra careful, put up an electric wire as well.

 

[VaCowman]

Once you get them "warmed up" you can put them on a self feeder and let em have at it. Been doing it for years and works fine.