rmw1990":221ex0tg said:
She is getting approximately 8 lbs twice per day and grass hay free choice. We were feeding #1 and are slowly switching to #2. I had been told conflicting opinions on these two feeds. #1 has a lot more corn and seems to cause them to become loose and we were switching to #2 to see if it would help.
I usually figure protein puts on frame, fat puts on, well, fat. Also, the higher the protein the looser the manure (ought to see a dairy cow on their TMR ration - my vet calls it "production manure" :shock
, lower the protein the firmer the manure. The only exception is a cow with acidosis - severe, systemic acidosis and everything will be coming out the rear end like water.
I can't quite tell you what's going on with your feed - but - I can make a guess. Feed #1 looks more like a finishing ration, especially so if it has a lot of corn in it. Generally, because corn has a low protein content and high fat content (I don't recall the exact %), a cow's manure IS pretty firm when they're on a lot of corn. However, I've also discovered that moving them from a ration without a lot of corn to one with a lot of corn can make them very loose until they adjust. On further study, feed #1 has only 9% fiber, whereas #2 has 21% -- big difference. That may be another reason for her appearing more "loose" on feed #1 than #2.
Feed #2 looks more like a growing ration, but not much more so; it's only a difference of 1%. What type of hay is she getting in addition to the grain? A good grass or slightly stemmy alfalfa can make up for a low fiber content in feed #1.
When I pull out the calculator, at 8lbs/2x/day, and weighing 550lbs, she's getting 3% of her body weight per day - it's a
lot. Be sure to make feed changes
very carefully when she's on that much grain. Been there, done that.
And she most certainly does
NOT need her grain increased - 3% of body weight is the maximum I'd do, and I generally don't go over 2% of body weight.
She looks very good to me - and I won't add "for a bottle calf" - because I believe a bottle calf can look every bit as good as a calf raised on a cow. I don't see a potbelly and she appears to be in good condition for her size. Good luck with her!