REPLACEMENT HEIFERS FOOD NEEEDS

[little creek]

I HAVE SIX REPLACEMENT HEIFERS 9 MONTHS OLD AROUND 500 TO 600LBS EACH. I AM KEEPING THEM IN MY CORAL FOR NOW AND FEEDING THEM BERMUDA HAY AND ONE POUND OF SUPER 12 EACH. THEY ARE EATING ONE BALE A DAY FOR ALL SIX. IS THIS ENOUGH FOR THEM OR WHAT ELSE DO THEY NEED IN ORDER FOR THEM TO GAIN A POUND A DAY.
THANKS IN ADVANCE LITTLE CREEK

 

[Running Arrow Bill]

Cattle usually eat/need about 2% of their body weight in forage/hay every day. Grass hay tends to weigh between about 50 and 60# per small square bale.

Based on this, if we're feeding an "about to calve" or a new herd addition to our place in the "holding pen", we'll usually feed them about 1/2 sm sq bale per day for an 1000# A.U. equivalent. Of course, we supply minerals to supplement.

 

[Running Arrow Bill]

I HAVE SIX REPLACEMENT HEIFERS 9 MONTHS OLD AROUND 500 TO 600LBS EACH. I AM KEEPING THEM IN MY CORAL FOR NOW AND FEEDING THEM BERMUDA HAY AND ONE POUND OF SUPER 12 EACH. THEY ARE EATING ONE BALE A DAY FOR ALL SIX. IS THIS ENOUGH FOR THEM OR WHAT ELSE DO THEY NEED IN ORDER FOR THEM TO GAIN A POUND A DAY.
THANKS IN ADVANCE LITTLE CREEK

Think they need more hay, especially if they clean up all you put out fairly quick. I'd shoot for 2-3 lb/day gain...1 # day is a touch on the "diet" side of nutrition.

 

[Bez!]

I HAVE SIX REPLACEMENT HEIFERS 9 MONTHS OLD AROUND 500 TO 600LBS EACH. I AM KEEPING THEM IN MY CORAL FOR NOW AND FEEDING THEM BERMUDA HAY AND ONE POUND OF SUPER 12 EACH. THEY ARE EATING ONE BALE A DAY FOR ALL SIX. IS THIS ENOUGH FOR THEM OR WHAT ELSE DO THEY NEED IN ORDER FOR THEM TO GAIN A POUND A DAY.
THANKS IN ADVANCE LITTLE CREEK

I suspect you are feeding too little at this time.

A quick and easy way to figure this out is to throw a bunch of hay at them. When there is a little bit left on the ground at the end of the day you have the correct amount. Remember this amount will increase every few days as they age and grow.

If they come running at top speed every time you feed hay, you are not feeding enough because they are hungry.

I like to freechoice them at all times. That means there is ALWAYS hay in front of them.

Test your hay to se what it contains for nutrients. That way you can decide if it is necessary to feed any additionals. Often hay, some mineral and water is all that is required.

Bez!

 

[dun]

Winter gains on replacements tends to be fairly low. As soon as the grass greens up and they hit the pasture they will gain significantly more weight in a short period of time.

dun

 

[auctionboy]

From what I understand more hay fed will give them more compasity when they get pasture?

 

[lakading]

I HAVE SIX REPLACEMENT HEIFERS 9 MONTHS OLD AROUND 500 TO 600LBS EACH. I AM KEEPING THEM IN MY CORAL FOR NOW AND FEEDING THEM BERMUDA HAY AND ONE POUND OF SUPER 12 EACH. THEY ARE EATING ONE BALE A DAY FOR ALL SIX. IS THIS ENOUGH FOR THEM OR WHAT ELSE DO THEY NEED IN ORDER FOR THEM TO GAIN A POUND A DAY.
THANKS IN ADVANCE LITTLE CREEK

Think they need more hay, especially if they clean up all you put out fairly quick. I'd shoot for 2-3 lb/day gain...1 # day is a touch on the "diet" side of nutrition.

Don't forget that he's developing replacements. He isn't trying to finish these heifers.

 

[EIEIO]

No "expert" here but my replacements get all the baled fescue hay they can eat along with what little pasture is left plus I'm feeding them 2 pounds per head daily a mix of 14% protein range cubes and a 12% protein grain mix. They will stay on the supplement grain/cube mix till the pastures come back on.

Right or wrong I really don't know but they are all looking good and in the 700 to almost 900 pound range.

J