Getting Calf to Eat Feed

[TxCoUnTrYbOy]

A buddy of mine just got a calf to raise. It just came out of the pasture Sunday morning. It is really gentle, surprised me. It lets him walk right up to it and doesnt even fight being tied up. The problem is that it wont eat any feed yet. It has free choice hay and eats lots of it, but wont touch the feed. How should he get the calf on feed?

 

[jnowack]

How old is it? How big?

 

[TxCoUnTrYbOy]

He doesnt know how old or weight, but my guess is probably 3-4 months old and a couple hundred pounds.

 

[Bez!]

Lock it up - leave only feed in front.

Otherwise be patient - it will happen.

Bez!

 

[Ryan]

you might try spreading some hay on top of the feed. When he goes to eat the hay, he'll get some of the feed too. Then he'll recognize that the feed is good stuff. I

Ryan

 

[jnowack]

Young calves can be pretty picky. I have had good luck with dairy calf starter and have even sprinkled milk replacer on it. Whatever you feed clean the bunk out and give him fresh feed twice a day.