silage first time feeding

[beanie]

im new to the silage deal because of no hay , silage been in pile for 30 days now got 9 - 500# calves would like to ween and feed them some silage along with some free choice hay , the silage has whole corn in it , how much can i start them out with and how long to up the amount , will sell them in nov.
thanks gregger

 

[bigbull338]

im new to the silage deal because of no hay , silage been in pile for 30 days now got 9 - 500# calves would like to ween and feed them some silage along with some free choice hay , the silage has whole corn in it , how much can i start them out with and how long to up the amount , will sell them in nov.
thanks gregger

id start them on 1.5 to 2 5 gal buckets depending on how much the full buckets weigh.that should be 5 to 6lbs a calf a day.being as they are new to silage you may have to mix some feed with it.

 

[bward]

Start them out with a few gallons each and drop some loose hay on top of it to get them started eating it. Once they love the flavour of it which may take a few days, then omit the hay. Feed enough silage so that they have it cleaned up by about 4 or 5 in the afternoon. It may take a few days to figure out just how much they will eat. As they grow and eat more, keep adjusting the amount so the bunk is clean by early evening. If there is still some in the bunk by morning, then you are feeding too much.

 

[TexasBred]

Actually you want just a little refusal or left over. Let's you know they ate all they could. If it's all gone it makes you wonder when they ran out and how much more they may have eaten given the chance.

 

[1wlimo]

Actually you want just a little refusal or left over. Let's you know they ate all they could. If it's all gone it makes you wonder when they ran out and how much more they may have eaten given the chance.

Fully agree

also once they are eating it every time you pass you can work the top over with a fork, (or push it back into them, dependant on you feeding system) they will eat more.