Pot belly calves..

[farmerjan]

That's what I'm working on. Been calling feed stores, A&M, UNL beef.. unfortunately I can't find much bulk feed that is in the 18% range. I have a place close but they only sell in 50# bags so I might have to do that. I was trying to work it out with the dried distiller grains and I still might be able to but takes a lot more care in insuring they are getting the correct vitamins and minerals

If you are working with a feed mill that makes their own feed up... they can make a calf ration... get 14-16% ration but get a calf ration so it addresses the needs of a growing calf. It doesn't have to be 18%, at this rate, and as big as they are, 14 or 16 % will do fine... but it is going to take time for them to lose their hay bellies... Which are not as bad as some I have seen.

 

[farmerjan]

What was happening is the green fluid dripping out of his mouth when he was chewing his cudd. It would just drip drip drip uncontrollably. It wasn't eventually described to me that his stomach was upset. Gave him a little probiotics and never happened again

Looks like just a "sloppy eater" to me.... lol

 

[jdcopkid]

Looks like just a "sloppy eater" to me.... lol

haha maybe so! I was concerned because I noticed it happen with the calf we lost a day before she died. Then he did it. They were the only two and he's never done it since. Beats me

 

[TexasJerseyMilker]

I've been feeding my eleven week old bottle heifers 22% "AmpliCalf" calf starter. Boy it sure did amplify them. Waited too late to halter break and now they're huge.

 

[Twisted]

I read this and thought of this thread, interesting read:

Calf rearing, poddy calves, feeding, calf health care and more

Are you looking for information about calf rearing? Find out about calf rearing, feeding, looking after poddy calves, calf health care and more.

futurebeef.com.au

 

[BrisketLover4ever]

I have 10 calves that I'm pretty certain were just split pairs from the sale barn so weren't weaned great. They are eating well, started them on coastal hay (sent to A&M for analysis) and 14% pellet. They are now on hay, some grazing, and 14% cookie mix mixed with 14% pellet and 25% dried distiller grains. I just started adding the distiller grains last week.

When I compare them to calves with their moms at the sale barn, I have notice the majority of them have a pot belly and not putting on much muscle. It has been described to be as a "leppy belly" or "orphan belly".. my hope is the DDG with the high percentage of rumen undegradable protein will help with the muscle and lean tissue growth.

Is this an issue that will self resolve with time? Am I on the right track with my feed thinking? What other suggestions are out there?
Planning to hit with RALGRO in the next week or so

Attached is one heifer example

So cute!!!!